Google's Decision to End Support for Older Nest Thermostats: A Cause for Concern?
Google has recently made a decision that has left many homeowners in a state of uncertainty. As of October 25, 2025, the tech giant will no longer provide software updates for its first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats. This means that these devices, which were once hailed as smart home innovations, will now be rendered nearly useless.
The impact of this decision is significant. These older Nest thermostats will no longer be able to connect to the Google Nest app or Google Home app, effectively stripping them of their smart capabilities. While you can still manually adjust the temperature, you'll lose the convenience of controlling your home's climate via your smartphone and the ability to receive notifications about settings or issues. Moreover, any third-party device or assistant support will be terminated, so be cautious of any automation routines you've set up.
Google has offered a potential solution by providing a newer model of the Nest Learning Thermostat for $149.99, which is a discounted price compared to the standard price of $280. However, this offer has sparked debate among users.
On the Nest subreddit, some users express skepticism about the value of purchasing a new thermostat if its future functionality is uncertain. Others argue that the smart functionality of these devices, which date back to 2011 and 2014, is not guaranteed to last forever. Interestingly, some commenters suggest that if one desires a simple thermostat that doesn't connect to their devices, they could have bought a cheaper option for $20, rather than investing in a nearly $300 device.
Critics also point out that the process of connecting a smart thermostat to a phone is not overly complex, and they question whether Google should be able to handle such a basic task. Some even suggest that this move could be an example of planned obsolescence, where Google is encouraging users to upgrade to newer hardware.
Google's history of discontinuing products and services is well-documented, with notable examples including Google Reader, Google+, Google Glass, and its Stadia game streaming service. The question arises: will we see a 'Stop Killing Hardware' movement emerge in response to this latest decision? The controversy surrounding Google's actions has sparked discussions and raised concerns among users, leaving many to ponder the future of their smart home devices.
