RTSP Compatibility

Does Nest Camera Support RTSP?

The short answer: no. Google deprecated RTSP support for all Nest cameras in August 2023. This page explains what happened, why Google made this change, and what your options are if you want local RTSP-based camera monitoring.

RTSP Status: Deprecated as of August 2023

Google officially ended RTSP support for all Nest cameras when it shut down the Works with Nest program. No Nest camera model currently provides an RTSP endpoint. This is not a configuration issue — it is a deliberate platform decision by Google.

A Brief History: Nest and RTSP

Nest Labs was founded in 2010 and became known for its smart home products, including Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell. When Google acquired Nest in 2014, it initially maintained Nest as a semi-independent brand with its own developer ecosystem called Works with Nest.

Under Works with Nest, developers and third-party apps could access a local camera API that included an RTSP stream. This made it possible to view Nest cameras in software like VLC, ISPY, and other RTSP-compatible viewers. For several years, Nest cameras were reasonably popular in home automation circles precisely because of this openness.

In 2019, Google restructured the Nest brand under the Google Home umbrella. The Works with Nest developer program was formally deprecated, and Google announced a migration to the new Google Home API and Device Access program. The new API does not provide RTSP streams — instead it provides snapshot images and event-driven clips via Google's cloud.

By August 31, 2023, the original Works with Nest program and all RTSP local streaming capability was permanently shut down. Existing integrations stopped working. There was no migration path for RTSP access.

Why Google Removed RTSP Support

Ecosystem consolidation

Google wanted Nest cameras to work exclusively within Google Home, Google Assistant, and Chromecast. Allowing RTSP access meant users could bypass the Google ecosystem entirely, which conflicted with Google's platform strategy.

Protocol migration: Matter and Thread

Google has been investing heavily in Matter (the new smart home interoperability standard) and Thread (a low-power mesh networking protocol). These are designed for smart home devices communicating via Google's infrastructure, not for direct local RTSP access from third-party apps.

Cloud subscription model

Nest cameras depend on Google's cloud for video storage (Nest Aware subscription). A local RTSP stream would allow users to record footage independently, reducing the incentive to pay for Nest Aware. Google's business model benefits from keeping video in the cloud.

Security claims

Google also cited security as a reason, arguing that direct RTSP access was a potential attack surface. While there is some merit to this — unauthenticated or poorly-secured RTSP streams are a real problem — the decision was primarily a strategic one rather than a security-driven one, given that many professional-grade cameras safely implement RTSP with proper authentication.

What Can Nest Camera Users Do Now?

If you want local RTSP-based monitoring — viewing your cameras on iPhone, iPad, or Mac without depending on Google's servers — the straightforward answer is to switch to a camera that supports RTSP. Here are the most popular options:

Camera Brand RTSP Support Best For Price Range
Reolink Yes — built in Easy setup, home users $30–$80
Hikvision Yes — full RTSP + ONVIF Professional, multi-camera $50–$200
Dahua Yes — full RTSP + ONVIF Professional, NVR systems $50–$200
Amcrest Yes — full RTSP + ONVIF Consumer-friendly, affordable $40–$120
Eufy Yes (via RTSP toggle) Local storage, no subscription $40–$150

If you already own Nest cameras and are not ready to replace them, you can continue using the Google Home app for viewing — you just cannot use third-party RTSP viewers like SmartRTSP. The Google Home app on iOS allows you to view your Nest cameras, though it requires an internet connection and optionally a Nest Aware subscription for extended history.

SmartRTSP Works With Cameras That Support RTSP

SmartRTSP is a free app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that lets you view RTSP and ONVIF cameras on your local network. It works with any camera that exposes a standard RTSP stream — which includes all the brands listed above. If you switch from Nest to an RTSP-capable camera, you can view it in SmartRTSP without any cloud subscription.

Works great with SmartRTSP
  • ✓ Reolink — plug in, scan, done
  • ✓ Hikvision — ONVIF auto-discovery
  • ✓ Dahua — ONVIF auto-discovery
  • ✓ Amcrest — RTSP + ONVIF
  • ✓ Eufy — enable RTSP in app settings
  • ✓ Axis — professional RTSP/ONVIF
  • ✓ Any ONVIF-compliant camera
Does NOT work with SmartRTSP
  • ✗ Google Nest cameras (no RTSP)
  • ✗ Ring cameras (proprietary protocol)
  • ✗ Arlo cameras (cloud-only)
  • ✗ SimpliSafe cameras (closed ecosystem)
  • — Wyze (RTSP firmware available separately)

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Nest cameras ever support RTSP?
Yes. Nest cameras previously supported a local RTSP API as part of the Works with Nest developer program. This allowed third-party apps — including VLC, Blue Iris, iSpy, and others — to access live streams directly from the camera. Google shut down the Works with Nest program and removed RTSP access permanently in August 2023.
Can I still get an RTSP stream from my Nest camera in 2026?
No. As of August 2023, there is no official way to get an RTSP stream from any Nest camera. Google's Device Access API provides only snapshot images and event clips via the cloud — it does not offer a live RTSP endpoint. Unofficial workarounds that existed briefly were closed off in subsequent firmware updates.
What cameras work with SmartRTSP as a Nest replacement?
SmartRTSP works with any camera supporting RTSP or ONVIF. For a direct Nest replacement with similar ease of use, Reolink cameras are highly recommended — they support RTSP out of the box with no configuration required. For professional installations, Hikvision, Dahua, and Amcrest all offer full RTSP and ONVIF support with excellent image quality.
What is the best Nest alternative for local RTSP streaming?
For most home users, Reolink is the easiest transition — their cameras are affordable ($30–$80), set up quickly, and RTSP works without any special configuration. If you want no cloud subscription at all, Hikvision or Dahua with a local NVR gives you full control over your footage with no ongoing costs. SmartRTSP works with all of these.