Installing Your Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)

Before You Begin

The Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) is a wire-free video doorbell that records visitors, sends smart alerts, and lets you see and speak with anyone at your door from the Google Home app. Because it runs on a rechargeable battery, no existing doorbell wiring is required, making it ideal for renters and homes without doorbell wires.

What You Will Need

• Google Nest Doorbell (Battery)
• The Google Home app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android)
• A Google account
• A 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network
• The included mounting plate, screws, wedge plate (optional for angling), and USB charging cable
• A Phillips-head screwdriver or the included screwdriver bit
• A drill with an appropriate bit if mounting on hard surfaces like brick or stucco

Step 1: Charge the Doorbell

1. Before installation, fully charge the Nest Doorbell using the included USB-C charging cable. Plug it into a USB power adapter (not included) or a computer USB port.
2. The LED ring on the front of the doorbell will pulse while charging. When fully charged, the light will turn solid.
3. A full charge takes approximately 2 to 3 hours and provides about 1 to 6 months of battery life depending on activity level and settings.

Step 2: Set Up in the Google Home App

1. Open the Google Home app on your phone.
2. Tap the + icon and select Set up device, then New device.
3. Select your home and the app will search for nearby devices.
4. When the Nest Doorbell appears, tap it to begin setup.
5. Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code on the back of the doorbell or on the included quick start card.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect the doorbell to your Wi-Fi network. Choose either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz — 2.4 GHz offers better range while 5 GHz offers faster speeds at shorter distances.
7. Assign the doorbell to a room (such as "Front Door") and give it a name.

Step 3: Choose Your Mounting Location

1. Select a location near your front door at a height of approximately 120 centimeters (4 feet) from the ground. This provides the best viewing angle for capturing faces and packages.
2. Ensure the location has strong Wi-Fi signal. You can test this by standing at the mounting spot with your phone and checking Wi-Fi signal strength.
3. Avoid locations where the camera will face direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can affect video quality and battery life.

Step 4: Mount the Doorbell

1. Hold the mounting plate against the wall at the chosen location and mark the screw holes with a pencil.
2. If mounting on wood or siding, drill pilot holes and drive the included screws directly into the surface.
3. If mounting on brick, stucco, or concrete, drill holes using a masonry bit, insert the included wall anchors, and then drive the screws.
4. If you want to angle the camera to better face the approach path, attach the included wedge plate between the mounting plate and the wall.
5. Attach the Nest Doorbell to the mounting plate by sliding it down until it clicks into place.

Step 5: Optional Wired Connection

1. If you have existing doorbell wiring, you can connect it to keep the battery continuously charged. Turn off power to the existing doorbell at the circuit breaker first.
2. Disconnect the wires from your old doorbell and connect them to the two terminals on the back of the Nest Doorbell's mounting plate (polarity does not matter).
3. Restore power at the breaker. The doorbell will use the wired connection for charging while still functioning even if the wired power is interrupted.
4. If using the wired connection to ring an indoor chime, configure the chime type in the Google Home app settings for the doorbell.

Step 6: Configure Alerts and Settings

1. In the Google Home app, tap on the doorbell and go to Settings.
2. Configure Alert types — you can receive notifications for people, packages, animals, and vehicles if you have a Nest Aware subscription.
3. Set up Activity Zones to focus alerts on specific areas (such as your doorstep) and reduce false alerts from street traffic.
4. Adjust video quality settings and night vision preferences based on your needs.
5. If you want 24/7 video history (beyond the free 3 hours of event-based history), subscribe to Nest Aware through the Google Home app.

Tips for Best Performance

• To maximize battery life, reduce the video quality to a lower resolution and minimize the number of alert types enabled.
• If the doorbell's battery drains quickly, consider connecting it to existing doorbell wiring for continuous charging.
• The doorbell records up to 3 hours of event-based video history for free. Nest Aware ($8/month) extends this to 30 days, and Nest Aware Plus ($15/month) provides 60 days plus 24/7 continuous recording if wired.