Google has said it will stop providing software updates for its first and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats. This affects models released in 2011, 2012, and a version made for Europe in 2014.
Starting on October 25, 2025, these thermostats will no longer work with remote controls like smartphones or Google Assistant. Owners will still be able to change the temperature and set schedules directly on the thermostat itself, but losing the app features takes away many of the smart functions that made these devices popular in the first place.
I always had trouble with my third-generation Nest thermostat, so I used it manually anyway. There are still plenty of good uses for it, and you can still set a lot of the options from the thermostat itself. Unfortunately, any rules and conditions set alongside other smart home equipment will likely not work anymore.
At the same time, Google is making a bigger change for Nest in Europe. Because heating systems in Europe vary widely and are more complicated, Google has decided not to release any new Nest thermostats there. The company will keep selling the third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E until they run out of stock, but Nest is stepping back from the European smart thermostat market.
Related
Google’s Nest Protect Smart Alarm Is Being Discontinued
Existing models should continue working for several more years, though.
To help people affected by this, Google is offering discounts for upgrades. In the U.S. and Canada, people with older Nest thermostats can get a large price cut on the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat. In Europe, customers will get a discount on the Tado Smart Thermostat X, which is a competitor’s product that works with the Google Home app.
These deals are meant to make the switch easier for people used to Nest, but they don’t fully solve the bigger problems caused by this decision. All of these deals can be found in the Google store. The discounts will likely not be seen anywhere else.
What is interesting about this is that it seems like even smart home devices only last a little longer than a decade. The first Nest Learning Thermostat came out 14 years ago and was a major breakthrough at the time, but technology moves so fast that it may be outdated.
Devices outside of open-source software seem to always have an end date. Financially, this makes sense, as eventually, products stop selling, so they need a date when they won’t be serviceable anymore. However, it is debatable how fair it is to buy products with promised features only to see those features just go away over time.
Early buyers of smart home tech spent a lot of money on these devices. The early adopters are the audience that builds momentum for the rest of the customer base. Those buyers likely expected their nest devices always to have features other than basic temperature control.
Still, Google likely spends a lot of money keeping those devices up to date and making sure its updates work with older devices. Either way, it’s a good lesson. When you buy a device, it is safe to assume all the updates and smart features will eventually end.
Source: Google
