Google to reduce Nest camera quality to alleviate at home traffic surge

Google Nest Cam Outdoor
Google Nest Cam Outdoor (Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

  • Google is planning to reduce video quality for Nest cameras in the United States over the coming days.
  • Reduction aims to help conserve resources during recent spike in work from home and school activity.
  • Owners can revert back to original settings after change is made if desired.

Google has begun notifying Nest camera owners in the United States that it will be reducing video quality and bandwidth over the coming days. In a report from The Verge, users of Nest Cameras are receiving an email from Google regarding the changes, and Google has confirmed that they will roll out over the next few days.

"To answer the global call to prioritize internet bandwidth for learning and working, in the next few days we're going to be making a few changes," Google said in a statement to The Verge. "We believe these changes have the potential to help make it easier for communities to keep up with school, work, and everything in between."

Google states that the reduction is aimed at helping to alleviate the additional strain that has been put on networks across the country over the past month. The upcoming reduction will only affect users whose cameras are set to higher quality and bandwidth settings than the default options.

No other camera settings are being changed, and users who wish to return to the higher video settings can do so after the change. Google also told The Verge that users of Chromecasts, and Nest displays may also see a reduction in image quality and rotation frequency for its Ambient Slideshow mode.

Christopher Close

Christopher spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit and the Home app. Whether it is installing smart light switches, testing the latest door locks, or automating his households daily routines, Christopher has done it all.