Is Your Nest Camera Missing Package Deliveries?
Receiving timely and accurate notifications about package deliveries is one of the most valuable features of a smart doorbell or security camera. When your Nest camera fails to alert you that a parcel has been dropped off or picked up, it can leave your deliveries vulnerable and undermine your sense of security.
This issue is typically related to your subscription, settings, or the way your camera is configured. This guide will help you troubleshoot the reasons why Nest package detection might be failing and show you how to get it working reliably.
Common Symptoms of Package Detection Failure
If you're having trouble with this feature, you'll likely recognise these signs:
- A courier delivers a package, but you receive no specific notification about it.
- Your camera records the delivery person as a 'Person' event, but doesn't label the event with 'Package detected'.
- Package detection alerts are hit-or-miss, working sometimes but failing on other occasions.
- In the Nest or Google Home app, the option to enable package alerts is missing or greyed out.
- Your camera is sending false alerts, misidentifying other objects like shopping bags, shadows, or leaves as packages.
- You know you have a Nest Aware subscription, but this specific intelligent alert feature doesn't seem to be active.
- You have an Activity Zone set up on your porch, but packages left within that zone are still being ignored.
How to Fix Nest Package Detection Problems
Let's get your virtual lookout back on duty. Follow these steps to resolve the issue.
1. Verify Your Nest Aware Subscription and Camera Model
This is the most important step. Package detection is a premium feature and is not available without a Nest Aware subscription.
- Check Subscription: Log in to your Google account and confirm that your Nest Aware subscription is active.
- Check Camera Model: This feature is only available on newer Nest cameras, such as the Nest Doorbell (battery) and Nest Cam (battery). Older models like the original Nest Hello have person and motion detection but may not have the specific package detection algorithm. Verify your device's capabilities.
2. Enable Package Notifications in the App
You need to explicitly tell the app that you want to receive these specific alerts.
- Open the Google Home App: Select your camera or doorbell.
- Tap Settings (cog icon): Go to the 'Notifications' section.
- Enable Package Alerts: Under 'Seen events', you will see toggles for People, Animals, Vehicles, and Packages. Make sure the 'Packages' toggle is switched on. If this is off, the feature is active, but you simply won't be told about it.
3. Set Up a Precise Activity Zone
Activity Zones are crucial for telling your camera where it should be looking for parcels. Without a zone, it may not monitor the right area.
- Go to Settings: In your camera's settings, find the 'Activity Zones' option.
- Create a New Zone: Tap to add a new zone.
- Draw the Zone: Adjust the points of the zone to tightly cover the area of your porch or doorstep where packages are most likely to be placed. Don't make the zone too large; focus it on the specific drop-off spot.
- Enable Package Alerts for That Zone: Make sure that package notifications are enabled for the specific zone you just created.
4. Optimise Camera Placement and View
The camera's AI needs a clear view to identify a package successfully.
- Unobstructed View: Ensure there are no plants, pillars, or other objects blocking the camera's view of your doorstep.
- Proper Angle: The camera should be angled downwards enough to clearly see the ground where a package would be left. If the angle is too high, it may only see the person approaching and not the box they leave behind.
- Good Lighting: While the feature can work in lower light, it is most reliable when the drop-off area is well-lit. If deliveries often happen at dusk, ensure a porch light is on.
5. Restart Your Camera
A simple reboot can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be affecting the intelligent alert features. You can typically restart the camera from within the app's settings, or you can do it manually by disconnecting it from its power source for 30 seconds.
By ensuring you have the right subscription, the correct settings enabled, and an optimised camera view, you can solve the vast majority of package detection issues and restore this convenient security feature.