Google Nest Ends Support for Early Thermostats Forcing Upgrade

Google Nest has announced a significant change impacting early adopters of its smart thermostats. Starting October 25, 2025, the company will discontinue app support for three early models: the Nest Learning Thermostat 1st generation (2011), 2nd generation (2012), and the 2nd generation Europe version (2014).

This change means that these devices will no longer connect with the Google Home or Nest apps, effectively disabling remote control, phone alerts, voice assistant integration, automatic scheduling, and connectivity with other Nest devices like smoke detectors.

Users will still be able to manually adjust temperature and switch heating or cooling modes directly on the thermostat, and any pre-set schedules stored on the device will continue to operate. However, without software updates, these devices will lack ongoing security patches and bug fixes, raising concerns about reliability and safety.

Identifying affected models can be tricky since early Nest thermostats look similar. Google provides a guide to differentiate them, including checking the mounting plate logos and colors for confirmation.

To ease the transition, Nest offers a 50% discount on its latest Nest Learning Thermostat 4 to US and Canadian owners of the discontinued models. While this reduces the upgrade cost to $150, users may want to explore alternative smart thermostats to find the best fit for their needs.

Broader Implications for Smart Home IoT Devices

The Nest thermostat cutoff highlights a growing challenge in the IoT ecosystem: device obsolescence driven by software support lifecycles. As smart devices age, manufacturers may discontinue support, forcing users to upgrade to maintain functionality and security. This dynamic affects consumer trust and the sustainability of smart home investments.

For developers and businesses, this underscores the importance of designing IoT products with clear update policies, backward compatibility, and upgrade paths that minimize disruption. It also stresses the need for educating consumers about device lifecycles and preparing them for eventual transitions.

In summary, while early Nest thermostats will lose their smart capabilities, users have options to upgrade or switch to alternative solutions. This situation serves as a case study in managing IoT device longevity and the evolving smart home landscape.