topic Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket in Nest Thermostats

Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

randkthomas — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:57:32 GMT

Hello, like others I am profoundly irritated by the end of support for my 2nd gen Nest thermostat. You buy these things thinking they're going to last, and they don't because of business decisions rather than actual product durability.

My Nest 2 is wired in, and the heat link is fairly inaccessible, behind a stud wall compartment, so is hard to replace. I got a Tado upgrade but it has its own heat link so will be hard to replace. It's for a separate circuit for underfloor heating.

Can I simply get a Nest 3 and plug it into the Nest 2 wall socket? Connector on the back looks similar.

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

Frustratedddd — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:19:47 GMT

No you cannot, BUT you can buy a Nest 3rd Gen display, AND the 3rd Gen fixing connector plate, then pair with the 2nd gen Heat Link. I have explained many times about this on here.

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

bixieupnorth — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 16:36:57 GMT

As you told me all those months ago!

We're at D-day (D being for disconnection) and I still have access with the set up you describe.

However I've heard tales of people's 2nd gen set up still working today, so I'm not quite out of the woods yet!

I hope your aches and pains aren't too bad as the weather changes for the worse.

Cheers for the advice in the summer.

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

Frustratedddd — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 18:49:54 GMT

Excellent, good to hear you still have a working 3rd gen display with your 2nd gen Heat Link. You will be OK, and you might have noticed Google have updated the software in August on your 3rd gen ?

Thanks for asking about the back problem. Touch wood all ok thanks, but I don’t talk about it just in case!!!!😉

Any issues, if I can help track me down and I will try to help you. 👍

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

bixieupnorth — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:37:28 GMT

cheers

i thought, just now, that i'd been bombed out, but google just wanted me to log in again. i still have full functionality over the nest therm!

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

EduardoN — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:13:23 GMT

Hi there!

Thank you very much for contacting this community! I understand what you have been experiencing with your Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd gen) and the Heat Link, which have been somewhat inaccessible. This has caused you complications when trying to replace them. At this point, what we truly recommend is that you always use a Heat Link from the same generation as your Nest Learning Thermostat.

However, for this type of uninstallation, we recommend that you look up the Nest Pro contact information on your Nest thermostat.

Keep me posted.

Best regards,
Eduardo

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

bixieupnorth — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:03:48 GMT

Frustratedddd why would they say that? Is there any reason that you know of why the two can't continue to work in perfect harmony?

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

Frustratedddd — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:40:33 GMT

@bixieupnorthWell let me think about this for a while!! NO, there is no reason whatsoever why the 3rd gen Display will not work with the 2nd gen Heat Link for ever! Simple question to yourself, is your one still working after how many months?

HOWEVER, as explained from the start, we cannot control what Google do to the display to app connection. I am sure if they choose to stop the function they will, exactly like they have with the 2nd gen display. .....BUT your 3rd gen display will still work with your 2nd gen Heat Link, but without remote access as you found out with the 2nd gen display.

Let us ask this very simple question to someone, that has obviously done this, and come up with a very good reason why this does not work?

I will add a little caveat to this, Mods are working for Google, so they are only able to advise what they are told to do!!

@EduardoNCould you in simple understandable terms, explain to us why the 3rd gen display will not work with the 2nd gen Heat Link please?

Re: Plugging Nest 3 into wired Nest 2 socket

randkthomas — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:42:54 GMT

Thank you!