Your 1st or 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostat still controls your heating and cooling, but its smart side is gone. Since October 25, 2025, Google has unpaired these models from the Nest and Home apps, so remote control and notifications no longer work.
If you only want a thermostat that follows a schedule, you can keep it. If you want phone control or voice commands back, you need a replacement. Here is exactly what changed and what to buy.
Quick Answer: What Works and What Doesn’t
Google’s end of support page splits the result into two lists. The table below follows that page.
| Feature | After October 25, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Pre-set auto-schedules | Keep running |
| Switching temperature modes on the unit | Still works |
| Settings on the device itself | Still work |
| Status checks and remote control in the app | Stopped |
| Notifications and changes from a phone or tablet | Stopped |
| Third-party assistants | Stopped |
| Home/Away Assist and multi-device Eco mode | Stopped |
| Nest Protect connection and emergency shut-off | Stopped |
| Software and security updates | Stopped |
Which Models Are Affected
Google names three: the 1st generation from 2011, the 2nd generation from 2012, and the 2nd generation Europe version from 2014. Later Nest thermostats are outside this notice.
On the day support ended, the thermostat was removed from your account in the app. The unit’s own screen may still say “Connected” or “None” afterward, which is a display quirk, not a sign it still syncs.
What Still Works on the Wall
The practical core survives. Your saved schedule keeps firing, and you can still change modes and adjust settings at the device. For a house where the schedule rarely changes, that may be enough for years.
The tradeoff is that nothing is updated anymore. Google says the unit no longer gets software or security updates, so any bug or compatibility drift stays put. Because it is no longer reachable from your network services, the security exposure is small, but you also cannot fix problems.
Check Your Nest Protect Setup
If you own Nest Protect alarms, read this part twice. Google says Protects disconnect from the thermostat and the emergency shut-off no longer runs.
Your smoke and CO alarms still sound on their own. What you lose is the thermostat shutting down your furnace during an alarm. If you relied on that, plan for it when you pick a replacement.
Can You Keep Using It With a Workaround?
A community member said in late October 2025 that they were building a local server to restore the lost features without Google, according to Android Authority. The report did not verify that it works, and it is not a Google solution.
Treat anything like this as a hobby project. It is fine to watch, but not something to base comfort or safety on.
What to Buy Instead
You have two sensible paths. The first is staying in Google’s world with a current Nest Learning Thermostat. Google’s notice says affected owners were emailed an offer, and that you should contact Google Support if you did not get it. Our Nest Learning vs Nest Thermostat guide covers how Google’s current models differ.
The second is switching ecosystems. If your home leans toward Alexa or Apple Home, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is worth a look. ecobee’s page lists Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT support, with Siri voice control on a compatible HomePod.
Wiring matters here. ecobee says the Premium has a Power Extender Kit in the box for homes without a C-wire. If that is your situation, our guide to the best smart thermostat without a C-wire goes deeper. You can also compare the two brands in ecobee vs Nest.
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
- Works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT
- Includes a SmartSensor that detects room occupancy
- Power Extender Kit in the box for installs without a C-wire
- Siri voice control with a compatible HomePod
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Know the subscription catch. ecobee’s page says its security features, such as siren and intruder alerts, need an ecobee Smart Security subscription. Basic thermostat control is separate from that.
Pros
- The old Nest keeps running its saved schedule and accepts manual changes at the device
- Replacing it restores phone control, notifications and assistant support
- The ecobee Premium ships with a room sensor and a Power Extender Kit for homes without a C-wire
- ecobee lists Apple HomeKit and Alexa support, which Google's thermostat line does not focus on
Cons
- ecobee's security features need a paid subscription, per its own product page
- A swap means rewiring a thermostat, which some renters cannot do
- ecobee's page does not mention Matter, so do not buy it expecting that
How to Decide Before You Spend
Ask three questions. Do you change the temperature from your phone, or only at the wall? Do you use voice commands or routines that touch the thermostat? Do you have Nest Protect alarms tied to it?
If the answer to all three is no, the old unit is doing its job and you can wait. If any answer is yes, you have a real reason to replace it, and the sooner you do, the less time you spend without the feature you miss.
Before You Swap the Wiring
Turn off power to your HVAC system at the breaker first. Take a clear photo of every wire and its terminal label before you disconnect anything, because that photo is your map for the new thermostat.
Then check the compatibility tool from the maker of the thermostat you pick, since the wire layout decides whether you need an extra power accessory. If the system looks unusual, such as multi-stage equipment, a licensed HVAC technician is the safer call.
If You Rent or Cannot Swap It
Do not rip anything out if you cannot. Leave the old Nest on the wall and use it as a plain scheduled thermostat. Set the schedule once on the device, confirm it matches your routine, and stop worrying about the app.
Ask your landlord before any swap, and photograph the wire labels before you disconnect anything.
Our Verdict
Keep the old Nest if the schedule suits you and you do not miss the app. Replace it if remote control, notifications or voice commands matter. For most households switching to Alexa or Apple Home, the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the easiest upgrade to justify.
Check the latest price on Amazon before you decide. If you are also tightening up your front door, our guide on whether Ring works with Google Home shows how another ecosystem choice plays out.
