Google ends support for old Nest thermostats
On October 25, 2025, Google ended software support for the 1st- and 2nd-generation Nest Learning Thermostats. These devices will continue to function as basic thermostats, but they no longer work in the Google Nest or Google Home apps.
Without app connectivity, users lose remote control and smart-home integration. The devices will still allow manual temperature changes, but many of the features that made Nest “smart” are no longer available. Read on to see how this change could impact your smart-home setup.
The main appeal of Nest thermostats
The defining feature of Nest thermostats was remote control through the app or Google Assistant. Users could adjust temperature settings from anywhere, creating convenience that traditional thermostats could not provide.
This remote functionality was central to Nest’s value proposition. Losing the app connection removes the convenience and automation that users relied on, reducing the devices to basic temperature control and eliminating the main advantage of owning a smart thermostat.
Hardware remains fully functional
Many original Nest devices are still operational and function as intended. Sensors, temperature controls, and display screens continue to work without issue.
The biggest limitation now is the loss of connected features. Even though the thermostat hardware is still usable, users lose app-based control, Google Assistant access, Home/Away Assist, and other cloud-dependent automation, which significantly reduces the device’s smart-home value.
Little-Known fact: Some unsupported units have been observed continuing to upload diagnostic or sensor data to Google even after remote features are disabled.
Nest’s origin and vision
Nest was founded in 2010 by Tony Fadell, widely known as a key creator of the iPod, along with Matt Rogers. The goal was to transform ordinary household hardware into elegant, intelligent devices.
The original Nest Learning Thermostat combined design and automation to save energy, learn user behavior, and provide a modern user interface. It quickly became a recognizable brand in the early smart-home market and set new standards for smart devices.
Google acquires Nest for $3.2 billion
Google purchased Nest in 2014 for $3.2 billion, signaling its interest in the growing connected home market. Nest initially operated semi-independently, producing thermostats, smoke detectors, cameras, and doorbells.
During this period, Nest maintained a strong brand identity and was widely regarded as a leader in smart-home innovation. The acquisition positioned Google as a major player in the connected home ecosystem while keeping Nest’s vision largely intact.
Nest becomes part of Google hardware division
Google eventually folded Nest into its hardware division, integrating products more tightly with Google Assistant and the broader Google Home ecosystem.
This integration improved overall platform cohesion but ended Nest’s independent roadmap. Decisions about product development and software updates began aligning with Google’s broader smart-home strategy, rather than Nest’s original design philosophy.
Little‑Known fact: After the merger, Nest CEO Marwan Fawaz reported directly to Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh, marking a major leadership shift away from Nest’s original management structure.
From “Works With Nest” to “Works With Google Home”
Google gradually moved away from the older Works with Nest integration program and shifted users toward Works with Google Home automations. That transition changed how many Nest devices interacted with third-party services and broader smart-home routines.
As a result, early Nest thermostats became incompatible with new software updates and lost the ability to interact seamlessly with newer smart-home devices. This shift forced users to adapt or upgrade to maintain connectivity within the ecosystem.
The push for modern smart-home standards
Google has continued pushing a more unified Google Home ecosystem with broader interoperability and Assistant-focused controls for newer smart-home products. That broader strategy has made older Nest hardware feel increasingly out of step with the company’s current platform direction.
While these changes benefit newer devices, early adopters of Nest products are left behind. Fully functional thermostats now lack the connectivity that made them innovative, highlighting the tension between progress and legacy support.
Manual control is no longer enough
Users can still adjust the temperature directly on the thermostat. However, manual control lacks the convenience of app access or voice commands.
This change removes automation and remote access, turning a previously smart device into a basic appliance. The loss undermines the user experience and the key advantages that Nest originally offered.
Smart features that are no longer available
Nest thermostats originally offered automation, energy-saving schedules, and remote control via app or Google Assistant.
With the update, all internet-dependent functions are disabled. Users lose Home/Away Assist, app scheduling, and other smart capabilities, limiting devices to local temperature adjustment only. This represents a significant reduction in the product’s original value.
The impact on long-term customers
Many Nest customers have used their thermostats for over a decade. Google’s decision forces users to choose between losing functionality and purchasing a new device.
The announcement focused on hardware limitations rather than customer loyalty. This approach risks undermining trust among long-term users who expected ongoing support for devices that were still fully operational.
Software obsolescence vs. hardware longevity
Google cited challenges in updating older hardware as the reason for ending support. The devices themselves are physically capable of performing core functions.
Smart thermostats rely heavily on software, but in this case, the software primarily enabled convenience and remote access. Removing updates effectively reduces devices to their most basic functionality, despite the hardware remaining fully operational.
Ever wonder why your Nest thermostat keeps showing errors? Dive deeper to uncover the common causes and learn how fixing them can save energy, prevent costly repairs, and keep your smart home running smoothly.
Key takeaway for users and industry
The Nest update demonstrates that hardware longevity is meaningless without corresponding software support.
Companies must balance innovation with customer expectations. Removing core functionality from devices undermines trust and diminishes value. Preserving core smart features in still-functional products may matter just as much as introducing new devices and platform changes.
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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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