Delayed Nest Notifications? How to Get Your Alerts in Real-Time
A Nest camera provides peace of mind by alerting you to activity around your home. However, that security is compromised if the notification arrives minutes after the event has happened. A delayed alert can be the difference between catching a porch pirate in the act and watching a recording of them walking away. If you're experiencing a noticeable lag between an event occurring and the notification appearing on your phone, you're not alone.
This guide will walk you through the common causes of delayed Nest notifications and provide a clear set of troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. From simple network checks to specific device settings, we'll help you close the gap and ensure your alerts are delivered promptly.
Why Are My Nest Notifications Delayed?
Notification delays are rarely an issue with the Nest camera itself. The problem usually lies somewhere along the communication path between the camera detecting an event and the alert being delivered to your phone.
- Poor Wi-Fi Connection: The most common culprit. If your camera has a weak connection to your router, it will struggle to upload the event footage to the cloud quickly, causing a delay in the server sending the notification.
- Slow Internet Upload Speed: It's not just about download speed. Your network needs a decent upload speed to send data from your camera to Nest's servers without a bottleneck.
- Mobile Data or Phone Wi-Fi Issues: The problem might be with your phone's connection. If you have poor mobile signal or a weak Wi-Fi connection, your phone will be slow to receive the push notification.
- Phone Settings: Aggressive battery optimisation or power-saving modes on your smartphone (both iOS and Android) can delay or 'batch' notifications from apps like Nest to save power.
- Server-Side Delays: Occasionally, the issue might be on Google's end, with a delay in their servers processing the event and sending out the alert. This is less common but can happen.
Troubleshooting Steps for Delayed Nest Alerts
Work through these steps in order to diagnose and fix the notification lag.
1. Check Your Network Speeds
First, let's rule out any issues with your internet connection.
- At Home: Stand near your Nest camera and run an internet speed test on your phone. Pay close attention to the upload speed. Google recommends a minimum of 2 Mbps upload speed per camera.
- On Your Phone: If you're away from home, check your mobile signal strength. If you have only one or two bars of 4G/5G, this could be the cause of the delay.
2. Power Cycle Your Devices
The classic 'turn it off and on again' method is surprisingly effective.
- Your Nest Camera: Unplug your camera from the power source, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.
- Your Router: Do the same with your home router. This can clear up temporary network glitches.
- Your Smartphone: A simple restart of your phone can resolve issues with its notification service.
3. Review Your Smartphone's Settings
Ensure your phone isn't deliberately delaying the notifications.
- For Android Users:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Nest.
- Tap on 'Battery' or 'Battery saver'.
- Ensure the app is set to 'Unrestricted' or 'Not optimised'. This prevents the operating system from putting the app to sleep.
- For iOS Users:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Make sure that Background App Refresh is turned on for the Nest app.
- Also, ensure 'Low Power Mode' is turned off in Settings > Battery.
4. Improve the Camera's Wi-Fi Signal
If the camera itself has a poor connection, it will cause delays.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Nest app, go to your camera's Settings > Technical Info. You should see a measure of the Wi-Fi signal strength. If it's low, the camera is too far from your router.
- Solutions: Consider moving your router closer to the camera or installing a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network system to provide a stronger, more reliable signal throughout your home.
By methodically checking your network, your phone, and your camera's connection, you can identify and eliminate the bottleneck causing your Nest notifications to be delayed, restoring your confidence in your home security system.