Last Updated: March 2026
AT&T shut down its Digital Life home security service in 2022 after nearly a decade of mediocre reviews and 3G-dependent hardware. In December 2025, the company came back with Connected Life — a completely different product built on Google Nest cameras, Abode sensors and monitoring, and AT&T’s cellular network as backup.
We’ve been tracking Connected Life since launch. Here’s what it actually offers, what it costs over 3 years, and whether it’s worth considering against established DIY systems.
What Is AT&T Connected Life?
AT&T Connected Life is a DIY smart home security system that bundles three companies’ strengths into one package:
- Google Home — Nest Doorbell, Nest Cam, and Google Home’s AI-powered smart alerts (familiar faces, people, pets, packages)
- Abode — Security hub with battery backup, door/window sensors, motion sensors, keypad, and 24/7 professional monitoring
- AT&T — Cellular backup so the system stays online if your internet or power goes out
You manage everything through the AT&T Connected Life app. Setup is DIY — peel-and-stick sensors, plug in the hub, connect via the app. AT&T says most installs take under 30 minutes. A technician can help if you want hands-off setup.
Important: You must be an AT&T customer (wireless or home internet) to use Connected Life. That’s a hard requirement — not just for the cellular backup, but for the service itself.
Equipment Packages
| Starter Kit | Advanced Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 upfront (or $11/mo × 36) | $699 upfront (or $19/mo × 36) |
| Google Nest Doorbell | ✅ | ✅ |
| Abode Security Hub | ✅ (battery backup) | ✅ (battery backup) |
| Door/Window Sensors | 2 | 4 |
| Interior Motion Sensors | 1 | 2 |
| Wall-Mounted Keypad | ❌ | ✅ |
| Key Fob | ❌ | ✅ |
| Google Nest Cam (battery) | ❌ | ✅ |
The Starter Kit works for a small apartment or condo — front door covered by the doorbell, two entry points, one motion zone. For a full house, the Advanced Kit is the realistic option. Four door/window sensors and two motion sensors cover most 3-bedroom homes, and the included Nest Cam gives you interior or backyard coverage.
Monitoring Plans
| Essential ($10.99/mo) | Professional ($21.99/mo) | |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Day Video History | ✅ | ✅ |
| Intelligent Alerts | ✅ (people, pets, packages, familiar faces) | ✅ |
| AT&T Cellular Backup | ✅ | ✅ |
| Real-Time Camera Access | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 Abode Monitoring | ❌ | ✅ |
| Police/Fire/Medical Dispatch | ❌ | ✅ |
| Insurance Discount Eligible | ❌ | ✅ |
| Contract Required | No | No |
No annual contracts on either plan. You can pause or cancel professional monitoring month-to-month. The Essential plan is effectively self-monitoring with AT&T’s cellular backup — a better deal than most DIY systems charge for similar features.
3-Year Cost Breakdown
| Configuration | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter + Essential | $399 | $10.99 | $795 |
| Starter + Professional | $399 | $21.99 | $1,191 |
| Advanced + Essential | $699 | $10.99 | $1,095 |
| Advanced + Professional | $699 | $21.99 | $1,491 |
| Starter (financed) + Essential | $11/mo × 36 | $10.99 | $792 |
| Advanced (financed) + Professional | $19/mo × 36 | $21.99 | $1,476 |
Pros
- Google Nest hardware is excellent. The Nest Doorbell and Nest Cam are among the best in the market for image quality, HDR, and AI detection. You’re getting proven cameras, not off-brand sensors.
- Abode monitoring is solid. Abode has been running UL-listed monitoring for years. Response times are competitive with ADT and SimpliSafe’s monitoring centers.
- Cellular backup included on all plans. Even the $10.99 Essential plan includes AT&T cellular backup. Most competitors charge $20+/month for cellular backup.
- No contracts. Month-to-month on everything. Cancel or pause anytime.
- Battery backup on the hub. Power outage won’t kill your security system.
- Google Home AI alerts. Familiar face recognition, package detection, pet detection — these features cost extra or don’t exist on most competing systems.
- Professional plan is reasonably priced. $21.99/month for pro monitoring with video history is competitive. SimpliSafe charges $27.99 for a comparable tier.
Cons
- AT&T service required. This is the biggest limitation. If you’re not on AT&T wireless or internet, Connected Life isn’t an option. That cuts out roughly 60% of US households.
- No free self-monitoring tier. Unlike Abode (which offers a fully functional $0/month tier) or Ring, Connected Life requires a $10.99+ subscription to function.
- Higher equipment cost. $399 for a starter kit is steep when SimpliSafe starts around $199 and Abode’s standalone kit is $199.
- No Apple HomeKit support. This is a Google Home system. If your household runs Apple, it’s a non-starter.
- Two apps required for initial setup. You need both the Google Home app and the AT&T Connected Life app. After setup you can use just the Connected Life app, but the dual-app onboarding adds friction.
- Not the latest Nest devices. Google confirmed the hardware in these kits is not the newest Nest generation. Functional, but not cutting-edge.
- New product, limited track record. Connected Life launched December 2025. There’s no long-term reliability data yet. AT&T’s last attempt (Digital Life) was discontinued after 9 years.
Who Is AT&T Connected Life Best For?
Connected Life makes the most sense if you check all three boxes:
- You’re already an AT&T customer (wireless or fiber internet)
- You’re in the Google ecosystem (Google Home, Nest speakers, Android phones)
- You want pro monitoring without a contract at a fair price ($21.99/month)
If you’re not on AT&T, this system literally isn’t available to you. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, look at Abode instead — it’s the only security system with native HomeKit support.
AT&T Connected Life vs the Competition
| AT&T Connected Life | SimpliSafe | Ring | Abode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Equipment | $399 | $199 | $199 | $199 |
| Self-Monitoring | $10.99/mo | $0 (keypad only) | $0 (basic) | $0 (full features) |
| Pro Monitoring | $21.99/mo | $27.99/mo | $20/mo | $20/mo |
| Cellular Backup | ✅ All plans | Paid plans only | $20/mo plan | Paid plans only |
| Video History | 30 days (all plans) | Paid plan | Paid plan | Paid plan |
| Camera Quality | Google Nest (top tier) | SimpliSafe (decent) | Ring (good) | Abode Cam 2 (basic) |
| Smart Home | Google Home | Alexa, Google | Alexa | HomeKit, Alexa, Google |
| Contract | None | None | None | None |
| Carrier Required | Yes (AT&T) | No | No | No |
| 3-Year Cost (Pro) | $1,191-$1,491 | $1,206-$1,517 | $919-$1,049 | $919-$1,119 |
The Verdict
AT&T Connected Life is a solid entry into the DIY security market with genuinely good hardware (Google Nest cameras are hard to beat) and a fair monthly price for professional monitoring. The cellular backup on all plans is a standout — most competitors reserve that for premium tiers.
The catch is the AT&T requirement. If you’re not an AT&T customer, stop here — this review doesn’t apply to you. And if you want a system that works at $0/month, Abode or Ring give you more flexibility.
For AT&T households already running Google Home devices, Connected Life is worth a serious look. The $21.99 Professional plan with Abode monitoring, Nest camera quality, and cellular backup is competitive pricing for what you get. Just go in knowing this is a first-generation product — AT&T’s track record with Digital Life doesn’t inspire confidence in long-term commitment.
Rating: 3.8 / 5 — Strong hardware, fair pricing, but the AT&T lock-in and lack of a free tier hold it back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need AT&T internet to use Connected Life?
You need to be an AT&T customer, but it can be wireless (phone plan) or home internet (fiber). You don’t specifically need AT&T Fiber — an AT&T wireless plan qualifies too.
Can I use Connected Life with Apple HomeKit?
No. Connected Life is built on Google Home. There’s no HomeKit, no Siri control, and no Apple Home integration. Apple households should look at Abode, which is the only security system with native HomeKit support.
What happens if I leave AT&T?
AT&T hasn’t been explicit about this. The Google Nest cameras will still work on Google Home, but the Connected Life app and monitoring service require AT&T service. You’d likely keep the hardware but lose the Connected Life features and monitoring. This is a real risk worth considering.
Is AT&T Connected Life the same as AT&T Digital Life?
No. Digital Life was a 3G-based system AT&T shut down in 2022. Connected Life is a completely new product with different hardware (Google Nest + Abode), different monitoring (Abode instead of AT&T’s own center), and modern connectivity (Wi-Fi + LTE cellular backup). The only thing they share is the AT&T brand.
How does the cellular backup work?
The Abode security hub has a built-in AT&T cellular modem. If your home internet drops, the system automatically switches to AT&T’s cellular network to keep sensors, alerts, and monitoring active. There’s also a battery backup so the hub stays on during power outages. Cellular backup is included on both the $10.99 Essential and $21.99 Professional plans.
Can I add more sensors later?
Yes. Since the system uses Abode’s hub, you can add additional Abode-compatible sensors, and Google Nest cameras can be added through the Google Home app. Check the AT&T Connected Life store for compatible accessories.
Related Reviews & Comparisons
System Reviews
- Abode Review 2026 — The monitoring backbone behind Connected Life, also a standalone system
- SimpliSafe Review 2026 — The biggest DIY competitor, no carrier required
- Ring Alarm Review 2026 — Amazon’s ecosystem play with affordable monitoring
- Best Home Security Systems 2026 — Full comparison of top systems
Comparisons
- AT&T Connected Life vs SimpliSafe 2026 — Google cameras vs budget DIY king
- AT&T Connected Life vs Ring 2026 — AT&T/Google vs Amazon’s ecosystem
- Abode vs SimpliSafe 2026 — Two top DIY systems compared
- Ring vs SimpliSafe 2026 — The two most popular budget systems
Buying Guides
- DIY Home Security Guide — Complete guide to self-install systems
- How to Choose a Home Security System — Step-by-step buying framework
- Best Outdoor Security Cameras 2026 — If cameras are your priority
Related AT&T Connected Life Comparisons
2026 update: AT&T Connected Life replacement checkpoint
- Do not treat carrier-backed branding as a guarantee of long-term support; verify product roadmap and exit path.
- Prioritize systems with portable sensors, clear monitoring terms, and documented smart-home compatibility.
- Model 36-month ownership across new equipment, monitoring, migration labor, and replacement-device risk.
Related reads: AT&T Digital Life review and AT&T Connected Life vs SimpliSafe.
With over 20 years of experience evaluating home security technologies, Andrew is a trusted home security expert. He specializes in DIY home security systems, indoor and outdoor security cameras, doorbell cameras, and safety software such as password managers. Andrew uses in-depth research to provide accurate and actionable insights. His work helps you make better decisions to protect your home.
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