The ecosystem of security cameras, routers and alarms that we know as Google Nest started as acquisitions of two companies by Google: Dropcam and Nest, in 2014. As Google has previously warned, the company is now dropping support for some of the earliest models of these security devices. On April 8, users of Dropcam, Dropcam Pro and Nest Secure will find their devices largely unusablebut Google is offering those affected a few paths forward with new devices.

Dropcam was one of the biggest players in the early days of wifi security cameras, offering small devices with cloud-based subscriptions for storage. Once the deadline passes this week, Dropcam and Dropcam Pro users will lose the ability to save new clips and will only be able to access old clips through the end of this months subscriptions. At best, that gives the user 30 days to offload those clips they want to save to another backup media.

Since Google wants to keep these users in the family, they're offering two paths forward. If youre already a member of Nest Aware, the subscription plan for Google Nest users, you will get a free Nest camera ($99.99). If youre not a member, you can get a 50% off discount towards a Nest camera. Subscriptions for Nest Aware start at $8 a month or $80 a year. Because so many features of the Nest Cam are linked to a subscriptionactivity zones, event clips, intelligent alerts, youll likely want a subscription anyway. The math works out to your advantage to sign up for Nest Aware now, and take the free camera, rather than taking the 50% discount. You can absolutely use a Nest Cam without a subscription, but you likely wont want to.

Nest Secure was a whole home security system of cameras and locks. There are likely a lot of users still out there with some parts of the old Secure systemlike the Nest x Yale door locks. Starting April 8, those keypads wont connect to wifi anymore; they're effectively bricked. The only path forward offered by Google is a free Nest Connect ($69), and you should receive details about that in your email. If you dont, you need to get in touch with Google support, ASAP. Pro tip: be sure youre logged into the Google account you use for your Nest products at the time you contact Google support. The Nest Connect isnt a lock, its a wifi extender, so its just going to extend the life of your Nest x Yale lock ($249), which Google still sells. You could consider an alternative, which is replacing the lock with another brand that doesnt require an additional piece of hardware like the Nest Connect. If you go that route, note that youll need to cancel your Nest Aware subscription, because Google doesnt do that for you.