Learn about Steam Check and change settings

Most smoke alarms can't tell the difference between steam from the shower or smoke from a fire, so they treat them both the same way. This is one of the things that we thought we could do better with Nest Protect.

How Steam Check works

Nest developed Steam Check by testing and recording steam-related alarm incidents in both laboratory and real-home environments. After measuring the differences between steam-related events and fire or smoke events, we developed a software algorithm to detect steam-related events and reduce nuisance alarms that they can cause, while keeping the same level of sensitivity for fire and smoke.

We've found that Steam Check can reduce nuisance alarms from steam on Nest Protect by over half.*

Learn more with the Steam Check White Paper

Steam Check won't stop all alarms related to steam. If the event appears similar to real smoke or fire, even if it's caused by pure steam, the alarm will sound. When this happens, you’ll need to address the source of the steam and air out the room for Nest Protect to quiet down. On most days, you won’t even notice Steam Check working.

Change Steam Check settings

Steam Check is on by default, but you can enable or disable Steam Check at any time.

In the Nest app

1. Select the Nest Protect that you want to change in the app.
2. Tap Settings 👁 Nest settings icon
   👁 Image
   Nest Sense and turn Steam Check on or off.

In the Home app

1. Select the Nest Protect that you want to change in the app.
2. Tap More 👁 More menu
   👁 Image
   turn Steam Check on or off.

Once complete, it can take up to 24 hours for the settings on your Nest Protect to be updated.

*Based on Nest's internal testing and data