Delete video history and snapshots

You can delete your Google Nest camera or doorbell’s entire video history at any time. This will also delete any photo snapshots in video history. Deleted video history and snapshots cannot be recovered.

Manually delete history and snapshots

Important things to know before you delete your camera or doorbell’s video history:

• Once your video history and snapshots are deleted, they cannot be recovered. We do not keep backups.

• Keep in mind that this only affects the camera you selected. Your other cameras will keep their video history and snapshots.

• Save important video clips before you delete your camera's video history. Learn how to create and save as video clips .

• Each camera tile displays a preview from your last live view session. Deleting your camera's video history will not delete these Camera Tile Previews. You can check these previews in your Favorites or Camera Category space.

  • Previews are stored locally on your device, not in the cloud with your video history. 

  • These local camera tile previews automatically disappear after 7 days. If you want to remove them sooner, you can clear the app's cache or delete the app from your device.

Tip: If you don't have a Nest Aware subscription, you can turn off activity snapshots in your camera's video history. Learn how to opt out of snapshots and activity history .

Home app

1. Open the Home app.

2. Touch and hold your device's tile.

3. Tap Settings Delete video history.

4. Tap Deleteto confirm. All of your camera’s video history and snapshots will be permanently deleted.

Nest app

1. Open the Nest app.

2. Select your camera.

3. Tap Settings.

4. Scroll down and tap Delete video history.

5. Tap Delete historyto confirm. All of your camera’s video history and snapshots will be permanently deleted.

Turn off video history

For the Nest Cam (wired), Nest Cam (battery), and Nest Doorbell (battery), you can turn off video history for your camera anytime in the Home app.

Important:When you turn off video history for your camera, any saved video history and snapshots will be deleted.

1. Open the Home app.

2. Touch and hold your device's tile.

3. TapSettings Video  Video History.

4. Select No video historyto turn off history for your camera and delete any of its saved footage and snapshots in the app.

History and snapshots are deleted automatically

Video history and snapshots expire and are automatically deleted during normal use. Here’s more information about when you should expect this to happen.

• Video history expires on a rolling basis.

  • Depending on which Nest Aware subscription you have, your camera’s older footage and snapshots automatically expire and are deleted after a certain number of days.

  • If you don’t have a subscription, your camera can save activity for up to 3 hours before it expires and is deleted. Newer cameras offer up to 3 hours of Event-Based Recording (EBR) , while older cameras offer up to 3 hours of photo snapshots instead.

• Video history is deleted when you remove a camera from the app or cancel a Nest Aware subscription.

  • Nest Aware video history will be deleted at the end of your last billing period, or if you remove all cameras from your account.

  • 1st gen Nest Aware video history and snapshots are erased if you remove a camera from your account, or if you cancel your subscription.