Security Cameras

How Camera Monitoring Works

When a Nest camera detects motion, an instant alert goes to your phone. Cameras installed as part of an ADT monitoring plan are integrated with the ADT monitoring center, which can review alerts and dispatch emergency services if needed.

All cameras record in 1080p HD with footage stored in Google cloud storage. You can view live and recorded video in the ADT Control app or Google Home app. A certified technician handles placement, wiring, and activation so you get maximum coverage with zero blind spots from day one.

Not sure how many cameras your home needs? See our room-by-room placement guide.

Choosing between indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras

Most homes do not need all three types. The right mix depends on what you are actually trying to see. A doorbell camera covers the single most common approach point, the front door, and is where most homeowners start. Outdoor cameras cover the paths someone would take to reach a door or window that a doorbell camera cannot see, typically a driveway, a side gate, or a back patio. Indoor cameras answer a different question: not who approached, but what happened inside, which matters most for households with children, pets, or a home office.

Cameras on their own record what happened. Cameras on a monitored plan mean someone else is watching when you cannot, which is the difference between reviewing footage after the fact and having emergency services dispatched during the event. That is the distinction worth understanding before you decide how many cameras to buy, and it is covered in more detail on our ADT monitoring page. Placement, wiring, and app setup are handled during professional installation.

Frequently Asked Questions