Google Is Discontinuing Old Nest Thermostats – Learn About It

Back in 2011, Google and Nest introduced the first generation of their smart thermostat, a device designed to not only manage your home’s climate, but also make life more comfortable and convenient, with controls accessible right from your phone.

Many of us bought into the smart home ecosystem early on, but now, some of that smart functionality will soon be going offline. Google has announced that it will discontinue support for older Nest thermostats.

Here’s what that means for you and what you can do about it. Keep reading.

Why are older Nest Thermostats being discontinued?

When the first buyers of the Nest thermostat got their products, they wanted a smart thermostat that could connect with their Google Home ecosystem. That will change.

Google is discontinuing the support of older Nest thermostats beginning on October 25th, 2025. This means that they will automatically be unpaired and removed from the Nest or Google Home app, and will no longer be able to receive any type of software or security updates 

Now, we have to take into consideration that these first thermostats, developed by Nest Labs, were designed before Google acquired them in 2014. At the time, they used older cloud connectivity systems and protocols. Maintaining these legacy systems requires significant resources, security updates, and compatibility workarounds. 

It’s important to note that the 3rd Generation Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E are not impacted by this discontinuation. These newer models are compatible with Google’s updated infrastructure and will continue to receive support and updates via the Google Home app.

As smart home technology has advanced, older hardware and software are no longer aligned with current security and functionality standards.

Unfortunately, discontinuing support for the older Nest thermostats will affect users who prefer not to upgrade, as these devices will eventually lose remote functionality entirely. In other words: these older thermostats will become “dumb”, not being able to be connected to the smart home ecosystem they were intended for.

Which Nest Thermostat will be affected?

According to Google’s official announcement, the models impacted by this discontinuation are:

1. Nest Thermostat (1st Generation) – Released in 2011, this was the original smart thermostat that helped revolutionise the market.
2. Nest Thermostat (2nd Generation) – Released in 2012 with improved compatibility and design over the first generation.
3. Nest Thermostat (2nd Generation – Europe version) – Released in 2014, with European countries’ homes in mind, adapted to their specific needs.

These models rely on the older networks with Nest system and cannot migrate fully to the Google Home ecosystem. As a matter of fact, starting in 2024 and into 2025, users have reported connection errors, unresponsive remote controls, and notices in the Nest app warning them of upcoming disconnection.

What is the solution to your Nest Thermostat being discontinued?

Now, let’s not completely panic. If support for your Nest Thermostat is being discontinued, there are several practical steps you can take:

• Upgrade to a compatible thermostat: The most straightforward solution is to upgrade to a newer Nest Thermostat model.
• Continue using it locally: The discontinued Nest thermostat will still function, only without smart features, and will allow manual controls only. If you rarely use the app and your thermostat is in good working condition, this can be a fine solution.
• Explore alternative smart thermostat brands: Although Nest remains a leading brand, alternatives like Ecobee and Honeywell offer models compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home.

If you want to visualize clearly how other brands and the different Nest thermostats compare with each other, take a look at the next table:

Conclusion

The announcement of the Nest thermostat being discontinued highlights how quickly smart home technology evolves. While it can be frustrating to see older devices lose support, it is also an opportunity to enhance your home’s energy efficiency, security, and automation capabilities.

If your thermostat is among those being discontinued, consider upgrading to a newer Nest model or exploring alternative smart thermostats that fit your needs. For a seamless transition, you should contact a professional to guide you through installation and integration.

At the end of the day, keeping your home comfortable, connected, and efficient is well worth staying up-to-date with the latest technology.