How to Remove a Google Nest Cam from Its Stand or Mount

Knowing how to remove a Google Nest Cam from its stand or wall mount is more useful than it sounds. Whether you are repositioning the camera, swapping in a better third-party mount, or simply moving to a new home, the removal process varies depending on which model you own. This guide covers every current Nest Cam, plus the original wired Nest Cam and the older DropCam Pro.

Why You Might Need to Remove Your Nest Cam

There are several reasons to take a Nest Cam off its mount. Most commonly, people want to replace the factory stand with a third-party option that offers a better angle or a different mounting location. In addition, if you are repainting a room, relocating the camera to a new spot, or troubleshooting a connection issue, removal is the first step. Finally, some users want to access the cable routing or simply move the camera to a different room entirely.

Before You Start

Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired (2nd Gen and 3rd Gen)

The current generation of indoor wired Nest Cams uses a twist-lock wall plate system. Importantly, the camera body cannot be separated from its stand on these models. What you are actually removing is the entire camera-and-stand unit from the wall plate.

To remove the camera from the wall plate, grip the camera at its base, not the camera head. Then turn the entire unit counterclockwise. You will feel a click as it detaches from the plate. That is all there is to it. To reattach, align the camera base with the wall plate and twist clockwise until it clicks into place.

Because the stand is permanently attached on these models, the main reason to remove the camera is to reposition it or swap out the wall plate for a third-party mount. A good option here is the UYODM Magnetic Wall Mount for Google Nest Cam Indoor or Outdoor Wired, which attaches directly to the camera’s base and gives you the option to stick it to any metal surface or screw it into a wall or ceiling. For window monitoring, the Holicfun Window Mount for Nest Cam Indoor Wired is a clean no-drill solution that works with both 2nd and 3rd gen models.

Google Nest Cam Indoor Battery

The battery version attaches to its wall mount via a loop rather than a twist-lock system. To remove it, simply pull down on the loop’s tab until the camera slips free of the wall mount. After removal, you can use the loop as a wrist strap to carry the camera safely. Reattaching is just as straightforward: slip the loop back over the mount and push until it is secure.

Google Nest Cam Outdoor Wired (2nd Gen)

The outdoor wired model uses a strong magnetic connection between the camera and its wall plate. As a result, removal is simple: grip the base of the camera firmly and pull it directly away from the plate. The magnet is strong, so expect to use a bit of force. There are no tools required and no twisting involved.

To reinstall, align the camera with the metal plate and press it into position. The magnet will pull it into place automatically.

Google Nest Cam Outdoor Battery and Indoor Battery (2nd Gen)

Like the outdoor wired model, the battery-powered outdoor and indoor cameras also attach to their wall plates magnetically. Grip the base and pull the camera away from the plate. The magnet is quite strong on these models, so use both hands if needed. Reattachment works the same way: press the camera against the plate and the magnet does the rest.

Original Nest Cam and DropCam Pro (Legacy Models)

If you still have an original wired Nest Cam or a DropCam Pro, the removal process is quite different from the current lineup. These older models use two small plastic tabs located near the front of the camera body. Both tabs must be pressed simultaneously while pushing the camera through the circular opening in the stand.

In practice, this is tricky with large fingers. A useful workaround is to press one tab with a pen cap while using a fingertip on the other. Once both tabs are depressed at the same time, the camera separates from the stand cleanly. Do this over a cushioned surface, as the camera tends to drop the moment it releases.

To reinsert the camera into the stand, simply push it back into the circular opening until both tabs snap into place.

One additional note for original Nest Cam owners: unlike the DropCam Pro, the Nest Cam stand can be partially disassembled. You can unscrew the camera from its magnetic base, which exposes a standard tripod screw hole. This opens up a wide range of third-party tripod and mounting options. If you want to mount the original Nest Cam to an AC outlet to eliminate cable clutter, the Wasserstein Nest Cam AC Outlet Mount is a long-running option that still works well with these older models.

Quick Reference by Model

Reinstalling After Removal

Reinstallation is generally the reverse of removal. For the wired indoor models, align the base with the wall plate and twist clockwise until it clicks. For magnetic models, press the camera against the plate until it seats firmly. For the original Nest Cam and DropCam Pro, push the camera back into the stand’s circular opening until both tabs snap into place.

If you are switching to a third-party mount rather than reinstalling the factory hardware, make sure the replacement is rated for indoor or outdoor use as appropriate for your camera. Furthermore, verify that the mount is compatible with your specific model generation, since the 2nd and 3rd gen wired indoor cameras have a different footprint than the original Nest Cam.

For more on setting up Nest Cams in specific locations, see the Google Nest Cam Indoor review and the best indoor security cameras guide. For brand-specific installation tips, see the Nest Cam hub.