Nest Cams by Google is a great way to see the perimeter of your house and know who is around when you’re at home or away. Nest also makes indoor cameras so you can patrol the inside of your home in case there is a break-in. You can also use the indoor Nest Cams to watch children or pets when you’re away. You might be wondering if you can use the outdoor Nest Cam inside. 

Outdoor Nest Cams can be used indoors, but an indoor camera should never be used outside. Indoor cameras are not suitable for changes in weather conditions. Using them outside will cause damage and will also void your warranty. 

You might be wondering exactly how to use your cameras and where to place them for the best views. We will go over all of this in the article. We will also explain how to use an indoor camera by a window.  

Can you Use Nest Cam Indoor Without Subscription? 

You can use Nest Cam Indoor without a subscription, but you won’t have access to all the different features. If you don’t use the camera with a subscription, you won’t be able to access:

  • Recorded footage Intelligent alertsSetting up security zones

There are different subscription plans to choose from and you will pay between $6 to $12 a month. You can also add other products to your subscription plan including indoor and outdoor cameras well as Nest Hello. 

Subscription Features

With a subscription plan you can:

  • View footage history: You will be able to view event video footage from the past 30 days or 60 days depending on which plan you choose. Activity zones: You can set up activity zones where the property will trigger an alert to your app when someone or something moves within the zone. Custom alerts: You can set up alerts to different sounds, package deliveries, or other preferences. 24/7 Coverage: 24/7 coverage is included and saved for 10 days and will be stored on the cloud.

Regardless of what Nest Cam you choose to buy, you will need to get a subscription plan if you want access to all the best features and if you want to save videos to store them later. 

Can I Use a Nest Indoor Camera Through a Window?

Nest Cam can be used in a window, but it wasn’t designed to properly record events through a barrier. You might get very low-quality videos if you choose to try and record through the window. It won’t work as well as you would like it to if you want clear views of the events going on around the property. 

Some problems you might experience when using the indoor camera facing a windowsill include:

  • Indoor cameras have infrared light which means the reflection in the window will be washed out and overexposed. Since the window blocks some of the views, you will have a serious downgrade in quality when it comes to recorded videos. You won’t be able to have a clear view in the case of something or someone unwanted being on your property.

Now, let’s look at some tips.

Nest Indoor Camera Tips

If you have an indoor Nest Cam and you don’t want to get an outdoor camera, follow these tips when it comes to using the indoor camera pointed towards the window:

  • Disable the IR lights and status lights Install motion-activated lights on the outside of your home near the window with the indoor camera Place the camera lens as close to the window as possible

If you would like to learn more about Nest cam, check out this article. Now, let’s see if Nest cam is waterproof.

Is Nest Cam Waterproof?

Since you might want to use the camera outdoors, you might want to know if it’s waterproof. Nest says the camera is waterproof enough to survive rain, snow, and hail. It only has an IP65 rating though. This means it can’t be fully submerged. 

This isn’t a big deal, but if your camera happens to fall off and into a puddle, it won’t work afterward. Make sure you install it on the outdoor wall properly following the instructions from Nest. 

Can Nest Cam be in Direct Sunlight?

Nest Indoor Camera cannot be used in direct sunlight. They should be used indoors only and never placed in direct sunlight. You shouldn’t place them by a window or door that gets too much sun. 

Nest Cam Installation Tips

For more tips, you can check the camera placement tips by Google to see the best places to put the camera. A few tips include:

  • Away from walls that could block some of the viewsSlightly downward to view people’s facesAt least 4 feet high

Now you know all you need to know about using outdoor Nest cams inside.

Final Thoughts 

Indoor cameras should be used inside. You can place them by a window if you want to see the outside, but it might give you the best video footage. Outdoor cameras are better suited for outside because they are waterproof and can withstand weather elements.