Google disables smart features of old Nest thermostats

Old Google Nest thermostats will no longer work as Google shuts down support without providing an option for local control.

Background

Nest Labs launched the Nest Learning Thermostat in 2011, introducing smart thermostats to the mainstream. The company was acquired by Google in 2014. First & 2nd generation Nest thermostats were marketed as one-time purchases, with cloud-based functionality including smartphone control, Google Assistant integration, & Home/Away automation.

Nest advertised these features as core to the product experience, encouraging buyers to integrate them into home automation setups.

Google ends support for 1st and 2nd Gen Nest Thermostats

On April 25, 2025, Google officially announced that it would be ending support for the Nest Learning Thermostat (1st gen, 2011), Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd gen, 2012), and the European 2nd gen variant (2014).

What will stop working

After October 25, 2025:

• Remote control via the Nest or Google Home app won't work
• Integration w/ Google Assistant & connected features such as Home/Away Assist will stop functioning.
• Emergency shut-off and Nest Protect integrations will no longer work.

Local manual control—such as adjusting temperature or editing schedules on the device itself will still work, but all cloud-based and voice assistant features will be disabled.

"The thermostat still works"

While Google clarified that the thermostats won't be physically bricked, the loss of cloud features renders many of the original selling points unusable. As Carl T. Bergstrom put it on bluesky

“We’re Google, and we’re going to brick your perfectly functional thermostat after buying the company that made it.”

Consumer response

Google's decision affects people who built entire smart home systems around these devices: some of these users likened it to remote deactivation of purchased hardware.

The only compensation offered was a limited-time email promotion:

• US: $130 off the 4th gen Nest Learning Thermostat
• Canada: $160 off the 4th gen model
• Europe: 50% off the Tado Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit

Google's justification

Google cited the age of the hardware as the primary reason, claiming it had become "increasingly challenging to continue to update these products." No options were provided for continuing use with open-source integrations or third-party tools.

While over 10 years of support is framed as generous by some users, critics argue that basic functionality being disabled post-sale undermines consumer trust and the concept of ownership