How to Use a Nest Secure Alarm System

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

  • Set up your Nest Secure Alarm System.
  • Install the Nest App.
  • Connect to Wi-Fi.
  • Disarm and arm your alarm.
  • Repair basic issues with your system.
  • Add a Nest Tag or Detect Sensor.
  • Use a Nest Tag.
  • Update your Nest Alarm System.

Before We Begin:

  • Make sure your Nest Secure Alarm System has been taken out of the box.

2. Basic Setup For Your Nest Secure Alarm System

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We have a dedicated guide that will take you through setting up your Nest Secure Alarm System.

 

3. Install the App for Your Nest Secure Alarm System

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4. Connect Your Nest Secure Alarm System to Wi-Fi

We have a separate guide to help you get your Nest Secure connected or re-connected to Wi-Fi.

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5. Repair Issues with Your Nest Secure Alarm System's App

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6. How to Arm and Disarm

There are multiple ways to arm and disarm your Nest Secure Alarm system:

  • Using the Nest Guard device
  • Using the Nest app
  • Using Nest Tags

To Arm and Disarm the System 

Using the Nest Guard

Arming

  1. If going out. Press Away and Guarding. Away and Guarding arms doors, windows, and watches for motion.
Nest Secure Home and Guarding button
  1. If staying in. Press Home and Guarding. Home and Guarding only arms doors and windows.
Nest Secure Home and Guarding button

Disarming

  1. Enter your passcode with Guard's keypad.
  2. Press the check button on Guard to confirm your passcode.
Nest Secure's check button

Using the Nest App

  1. Tap the Security icon on the app home screen.
Nest security button
  1. Select the security level that you want.
  2. Away and Guarding arms doors, windows, and watches for motion.
Nest secure away and guarding
  1. Home and Guarding only arms doors and windows.
Nest secure app showing home and guarding
  1. Off turns the alarm off.
Nest Secure app with the alarm set to off

Using Nest Tags

Any time Guard asks you to enter your passcode, you can use Tag instead of using Guard's keypad or your phone.

  1. Hold the Tag over your Secure device until you hear the device chime.
Nest Secure being disarmed with a tag
  1. Secure's light ring and security level buttons will light up to let you know what's happening.

7. How to Add a Nest Tag to Your Nest Secure Alarm System

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8. How to Add a Nest Detect Sensor to Your Nest Secure Alarm System

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9. Nest Tags

Nest Tags are a wonderful little RFID keychain device that allows you to arm and disarm your system with ease, instead of entering your passcode on the keypad or reaching for your phone. The Nest Secure Alarm Starter Kit includes only two Nest Tags, however additional Tags can be added if you have a large family, or would like to give temporary access to dog walkers and/or babysitters without providing them with the passcode to your system.

Each Nest Tag can have a name assigned to it. The Nest app can keep track of which Tags are used to arm and disarm the system, allowing you to see who entered your home and at what time. Tags can also be disabled or enabled at any time, or completely removed from the app if need be (in the case that a tag is lost, stolen, or broken).

Up to 10 Nest Tags can be added to the system at once.

Nest Secure being disarmed with a tag

10. Update

  1. Disarm your Nest Guard using any disarm method of your choice.
  2. Press and hold down the 2 button on Guard’s keypad.
Nest secure with the number 2 highlighted
  1. Hold down the button until your Nest Guard asks if you would like to update.
  2. Release the button to begin the update process.