How to View the Nest Camera on the Echo Show

Evan Gower October 18, 2019

The Google Nest Camera is a smart home system similar to surveillance security systems. These devices are easily connected with your phones and other smart devices, so you can always be aware of what’s happening in certain locations in and around your home.

How to View the Nest Camera on the Echo Show

If you have both Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest devices, you’ll be happy to know that they’re compatible with each other. Echo Show can broadcast a clear image from your Nest Camera with a simple voice command. This article will explain how to set this system up.

First Step – Set Up Your Nest Camera

Your Nest Camera and Echo Show need to connect to the same wireless network so they can communicate. That’s why it’s essential to pick the correct network when you’re installing the Nest.

Here’s a brief step-by-step guide on how to set up the Amazon Nest and connect it to a shared network:

Get the Nest app on your smartphone from the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS).
Open the app and set up the account.
Choose ‘Add New’ (plus sign) from the home screen.
Use your phone to scan the camera’s QR code (alternatively, you can type the product’s serial number).
Pick a name for your camera location from the list, or choose a custom name.
Plug your camera to a power source by using a power cable and an adapter. When the camera light blinks blue, it means it’s ready to connect.
Check your Nest phone app. It should register the nearby networks.
Select your network and let the Nest connect.

After this, you can mount the camera to the desired location and start working on a way to display it on your Echo Show.

Second Step – Install the Nest Skill on Amazon Alexa

Now that your camera is good to go, you need to teach your Alexa device to use it. You can do this by adding a ‘skill’ in your Alexa app. Do the following:

Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Tap the Menu (hamburger icon) at the top-left of the screen.
Choose ‘Skills’ from the side menu.
Start typing ‘Nest Camera’ until the skill appears in suggestions.
Choose the Nest camera.
Tap ‘Enable to use’ (or just ‘Enable’ in some versions).
Enter your Nest account user name and password.

When Alexa accepts your Nest credentials, it will ask to scan for nearby Nest devices. Just tap accept and wait for the process to finish.

If this doesn’t happen, tap the ‘menu’ icon in the top-left of the screen one more time and select ‘Smart Home’ from the menu, then select your Nest Camera device. If you followed the first section thoroughly, the device should be added to the smart home menu. If not, select ‘Add Device’ and follow the on-screen instructions to add it.

Keep in mind that you have to connect Alexa to the same network as your nest for this ‘skill’ to work properly. Once you connect the two devices, you can finally display your Nest Camera.

Third Step – Display the Camera by Voice Command

To display your nest camera on your Echo Show, simply use an Alexa voice command. The command will depend on the location name that you’ve chosen while you were setting up the camera.

For example, if you used one of the default names such as ‘Backyard’ or ‘Front Door’, you can just say: “Alexa, show me the front door camera”. – the Echo Show will instantly load the said camera and display the image.

On the other hand, if you named your camera “Camera 1”, you’ll need to say: “Alexa, show me the camera one camera”, or “display camera one”. Alexa will register your voice command. This is why you should keep it simple when you opt for a custom name. If you pick a name that will be difficult to register by Alexa at first, you may become frustrated.

If you decide to set up several Nest devices, you can switch between them by using their names. If you voice a “Show me the backyard camera” while the front door camera is displaying, Echo Show will automatically switch to the other location.

Therefore, it doesn’t matter how many Nest devices you have, you can use them all simultaneously with your Echo Show. Unfortunately, the split-screen is still not supported, so you’ll need to switch between cameras instead of showing them all at the same time. However, the display change is extremely quick and convenient when you’re using your voice.

Beware of Bad Signal

Make sure that you check how the Echo Show displays the image before you mount the camera at the desired location. The further the camera is from the wireless signal (router), the worse the signal it sends and receives.

If the signal is weak, the Echo Show will display a lagging and low-quality image. However, in normal conditions, the displayed image should be smooth and crystal clear.

Are you satisfied with the combined performance of the Echo and Nest? Do you find it more convenient than security cameras? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.