Google Home app adds support for garage door detection and Nest Hello video doorbell

Google announced this week which is rolling out support for the Nest Hello doorbell in the Google Home app. This allows you to transfer your original Google doorbell video camera – also known as the Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st generation) – from the Nest app to the Google Home app. Google is also removing its garage door detection feature from Public Preview, making it available to all users with compatible hardware. This uses a Nest Cam to alert you when your garage door is left open.

Garage Door Detection launched last fall in Google’s public preview — a public beta where users can try out upcoming features — but is now available to all Nest Aware subscribers in the US and Canada. (Nest Aware starts at $8 per month/$80 per year.)

Garage door detection does not require additional hardware, unlike a smart garage door controller, which usually needs to be connected to the garage door electrical. All you have to do is point your compatible Google Nest camera at your door, either inside or out (Google has instructions for setting it up). However, he cannot control his door; he can only inform his status.

Nest Hello users will soon see an option in the Nest app to transfer their video doorbell to the Google Home app – if they’re in Google’s public preview (you can register here). This will allow you to manage your doorbell and view recorded videos in the Home app (currently only available in the Nest app), and connect your doorbell to other devices in Google Home to use it with automations – including using camera events as triggers.

The doorbell, first released in 2018, has been discontinued in the US, but is still available in the UK, currently shows live video in the Home app (if you’ve migrated your Nest account to Google). However, you had to use the Nest app for recorded videos and other features – like doorbell ring alerts. This transition should bring most of the doorbell function to the Home app. You can transfer it back if you want – but you will no longer be able to access it in both apps simultaneously.

Google has been migrating its legacy Nest cameras to the Google Home app for a few years now, but it’s been a slow process. So far, the Nest Cam Indoor (Wired, 1st Gen) and Nest Cam Outdoor (Wired, 1st Gen) have survived. The addition of Hello will be welcomed by many users.

Google says it is “actively working to transition additional Nest devices to the Home app.” The ones still missing include the indoor Nest Cam IQ and the outdoor Nest Cam IQ – they can show live footage, but require the Nest app to view recorded video. O Nest Protect Smoke Alarm It’s also still only accessible on the Nest app. Google will not be transitioning away from OG Dropcams and Nest Secure, as it ended support for those products earlier this year.