Motion and presence features apply to the Nest Hub Max, which has a camera and can act as a Nest Cam, and to the newer displays that use radar or sensing; Google's camera sensing FAQ explains that the Hub Max can sense what is happening by analyzing images from its camera on the device without sending those images to Google. Face Match recognizes your face to show personal content and requires Voice Match.
The checks in more detail
The Hub Max also works as a Nest Cam through the Nest Cam on Nest Hub Max article: you can turn the camera on and get alerts for activity. Check the physical camera switch or the software setting, since the LED and camera states article explains the lights show when the camera is on, off or streaming. If the Hub Max is not sensing, make sure the camera is enabled, the device is online and the room is lit, and that Face Match and Look and Talk are set up.
For security alerts from the Hub Max, use the camera alert settings in the Home app, including activity zones where available. False alerts can come from pets, curtains and screens, so adjust sensitivity and zones. Cameras that record events need a Google Home Premium subscription for extended history. The other models have no camera, so this symptom applies to the Hub Max only. Test with the room lit and dim, since sensing that works in daylight may struggle in the evening.
Adjust one sensing setting at a time and wait a day before judging it. Note what you were doing when a false alert happened, since patterns show the trigger. Keep a short log of the times the Hub Max sensed and missed presence over a week, since patterns by time of day usually reveal a lighting cause before any setting does. The Hub Max is designed for indoor rooms, so place it where it sees the areas you care about without pointing at a window, since sunlight and passing cars outside can confuse sensing.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nest displays and smart speakers misses motion or records too many events”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The camera is switched off
What separates it There is no sensing because the camera on the Hub Max is switched off
How to confirm Turn the camera on, and check the LED shows the camera state that you expect
- 2
Poor lighting
What separates it Presence is missed because the room is too dark for the camera
How to confirm Add some light in the room, since the camera needs enough light to sense people
- 3
Face Match not set up
What separates it The display shows no personal content because Face Match is not set up
How to confirm Set up Voice Match first, and then set up Face Match, so that the display knows you
- 4
Alerts not enabled
What separates it You get no camera alerts because alerts are not enabled in the app
How to confirm Enable camera alerts in the Google Home app, in the settings for the display
- 5
A curtain or screen moving
What separates it You get false alerts because a curtain or a screen is moving in the camera's view
How to confirm Adjust the zones, so that the moving object is left out of the area that is watched
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The state of the LED and of the camera on the display
- Whether Face Match is set up
- The lighting in the room when the problem happened
- The alert settings chosen in the Google Home app
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the LED and camera state
ReversibleCheck the LED and the camera state on the display, and make sure that the camera is switched on.
Check the room light
ReversibleCheck the room light, and add light if the room is dark, since the camera needs enough to see.
Set up Voice Match
ReversibleSet up Voice Match first, and then Face Match, so the display can recognize you personally.
Enable camera alerts
ReversibleEnable camera alerts in the app, so that the Hub Max sends alerts to your phone.
Adjust zones
ReversibleAdjust the zones to reduce false alerts from curtains, screens and other things that move.
Restart the device
ReversibleRestart the display by unplugging it for a minute, and then check whether sensing works.
Contact Google
ReversibleContact Google if it never senses anything, and tell them the model and the LED state.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Hub Max
- Has a camera and camera sensing.
- Others
- The Hub 2, Nest Audio and Nest Mini have no camera.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the camera never senses after setup, contact Google Nest support
- !If alerts are false, adjust the zones until they cover only the area that you need
- !If privacy is a concern, switch the camera off
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Camera sensing.
Hub Max as a camera.
LED and camera states.
Face Match.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which model has a camera?+
The Nest Hub Max is the model that has a camera, so it is the one that senses movement.
What is Face Match?+
Face Match is face recognition, which lets the display show personal content to you.
Do images go to Google?+
Google says camera sensing is analyzed on the device, so images are not sent to Google for it.
Can I use it as a Nest Cam?+
Yes, you can use the Hub Max as a Nest Cam, to watch your home from the app.
Do I need Voice Match?+
Yes, you need Voice Match for Face Match, so set up Voice Match first.
Does history need a subscription?+
Extended history does need a subscription, though live view and basic alerts do not.
Can I remove the display from my account?+
Yes, remove it in the Google Home app before you sell it or give it away, so the new owner can set it up.