Talk and listen with Nest camera or doorbell

Even when you're away from home, you can talk to people through your camera with Talk and Listen. When you’re home, you can also use it on a compatible Google Nest display.

For example, if the Nest camera on your front porch sends you a motion alert, you can open the Google Home or Nest app to check who’s there. If it’s a delivery person with a package, you can tap the Talk button to tell them to leave the package on the porch.

• On newer cameras, Talk and Listen works like a video call. You can converse without needing to pause for the audio to switch over.

• On some older cameras that use the Nest app, Talk and Listen works one way at a time. Because of this, you need to take turns talking and listening.

Google Nest displays

If you have a Nest doorbell, you can also use Talk and Listen on a Google display like Nest Hub Max. For instructions, go to Get doorbell visitor announcements on a speaker or display. Make sure you add your doorbell and to the same home in the app.

Google Home app

1. Open the Google Home app 👁 Image
   ..
2. Tap Home 👁 Image
    👁 and then
   All devices 👁 Image
   , then touch and hold your device's tile.
3. Tap the microphone 👁 Talk icon
   . If the camera is off, tap Turn on.
4. The camera chimes on the other end. This lets the person in front of the camera know you're about to say something. Now you can start a conversation.
5. To hang up, tap the microphone 👁 Talk icon
   . The camera chimes a second time on the other end, letting the other person know the conversation has concluded.

Nest app

1. Open the Nest app 👁 Nest app
   .
2. Choose the camera you want to speak through.
3. Tap Talk 👁 Talk icon
   .
4. The camera chimes on the other end if you have the Talk and Listen tone enabled letting the person in front of the camera know you're about to say something. Now you can start a conversation. .
5. When you're done with your conversation tap Talk 👁 Talk icon
    to hang up. The camera chimes twice when Talk and Listen tone is enabled, indicating the conversation's end. .

On some older cameras (Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor) that use the Nest app, Talk and Listen works one way at a time. So you'll need to take turns talking and listening. Here’s how:

1. Open the Nest app 👁 Nest app
   .
2. Tap the camera or doorbell you want to speak through.
3. Tap Talk 👁 Talk icon
   .
4. The camera chimes on the other end. This lets the person in front of the camera know you're about to say something. Now you can start a conversation.
5. Tap Done when you’re finished talking. The camera chimes to let the other person know you’re done and they can begin speaking.
6. To hang up, tap Talk 👁 Talk icon
   . again. The camera chimes a second time on the other end, letting the other person know the conversation has concluded.

Feature limitations

The Talk and Listen functionality depends on strong and stable network connection of your mobile device or computer and camera. If either the camera or your device has a weak connection, Talk and Listen may not work as expected.

Talk and Listen for newer camera models will work just like the older models if you use older version of Android, or the web app on devices such as:

• LG Nexus 4 G2, G3, or P1.
• Motorola Moto G.
• Samsung Galaxy S6.
• Some Xiaomi phones.