Nest Gen 1-2 discontinuation

[rickthebeerman]

It is ridiculous to disable perfectly good devices in order to upsell to newer devices. I have 2 homes, each with a gen 2 thermostat that both work fine. I DO NOT want to integrate with other google home crap; I just want to be able to monitor my 2 homes for temperature. Sonos tried this same program in 2020 and due to overwhelming negative feedback managed to quickly create a simple S1 controller for the older devices I spent thousands on. (Which all still work wonderfully, by the way!)

Google: Create a standalone Nest Thermostat app for the gen 1 & gen 2. I will buy new thermostats when my current ones die. 

[MedMark]

Agree this is an alienating direction to take for customer retention.  Combined with Protect discontinuance it is major re-investment for me to keep 2 properties connected.  One home has hydronic heat with 5 zones that will need new thermostats.  Even at the discounted price it will be a significant expense.  Why would I take a chance on Google again?  Will be looking for a more stable provider for home automation in the future.

[bentwookie]

There's zero chance I'll be replacing our Protects and now thermostats with anything from Google. I can't wait to watch this company implode.

[Prawlin]

100% agree. This is outrageous of google. The remote app facility is the only reason I bought the ruddy thing!  can’t believe they are dropping it so soon. I vow to never ever buy another google related product as long as I shall live and I have recommended others to buy nest thermostats too! I wish I hadn’t now. I hope a class action is formed against google on this. Utterly appalling way to treat loyal customers of such an expensive product. Peter.

[Beadcat]

100% agree with everyone. So any idea what product/company you’ll be moving to? Planned obsolescence is a scam.

[bixieupnorth]

yep, agree completely, was bewildered to receive my email yesterday, had one of the earliest thermostats when it was offered by my utilities provider back in the day. to be abandoned like this is disgraceful.

i understand that it'll still function but setting up the on/off each day by hunching over the thermostat is a step backwards. maybe someone will design an alternative app to save our creaking backs within the next six months? is that a viable proposition?

how much would it actually cost them to keep these functioning via their apps? from all the profit that they make worldwide too! a major mistake on their part. like millions of others i'm making the move away from google and american corporations o=in general. it takes some untangling for sure, but it'll make me feel so much better!

[Fil0083]

Hi everyone,

For UK-based Nest users: under the UK Consumer Rights Act, products must last a "reasonable time." For a smart thermostat costing £200+, the expected lifespan would typically be 10–15 years.

If you bought your Nest 2nd Gen thermostat in 2016 or later, Google’s plan to remove remote access by 2025 (after only 9 years) could breach consumer protection laws.

While Google is offering a 50% discount on a replacement Tado device, this may not fully satisfy your rights. You can still pursue a claim for compensation or partial refund if you prefer.

I suggest contacting Citizens Advice for guidance and reporting the case to Which?, who can support consumers in disputes like this. The more people raise this, the more pressure for a better solution.

Google has made a good gesture with the discount, but it may not be enough under UK law.

Good luck everyone — let’s make our voices heard!

[Prawlin]

See this….

https://www.theverge.com/news/656332/google-ending-support-nest-thermostats

It seems they are phasing nest out completely soon.

[Fil0083]

Thanks for sharing! It looks like Google is phasing out support only for the oldest Nest models (1st and 2nd Gen). The 3rd Gen and newer thermostats will keep getting updates for now.

However, for those of us affected, it's important to know that under UK Consumer Rights law, products must last a "reasonable lifespan." Ending app support after less than 10 years could still mean Google is not fully meeting their legal obligations.

The 50% discount is a good start, but it might not be enough — especially for users who installed the device in 2016 or later.

I've contacted Citizens Advice and will report the case to Which? to get more clarity.

[Prawlin]

Good luck with all that but I can’t help feeling we are flogging a dead horse here. You can be 100% sure Google will have consulted all the very best lawyers before taking this lousy action..

it will only be a question of time before they kill off the later version nest thermostats I reckon. Bar stewards!!

[Fil0083]

I understand the frustration, but giving up without trying plays straight into their hands.

Even if they consulted lawyers, UK consumer protection law is clear: goods must last a "reasonable time." A premium thermostat bought for example in or after 2016 suddenly losing remote functionality in 2025 could be considered not fit for purpose.

Individual complaints might not move the needle, but collective action (via Citizens Advice, Which?, Trading Standards) could make a difference.

Worst case? It costs us a few minutes to make some noise. Best case? We might push Google into offering better compensation or setting a fairer standard for future smart devices.

[bixieupnorth]

just provide us with an app, that's all we need, it can't cost much to do? they've never updated the cruddy software that i know of anyway. it's a horrible interface but better than hunching over the unit like a safecracker trying to set the temperature for various wake up times during a cold working week!

[Prawlin]

I agree. Just for the record, there have been many OTA firmware updates but little change outwardly. I just want the remote app function. Nothing else. All the learning functions were total pants anyway IMHO. I had them all disabled from day 1. 10y ago.

[bixieupnorth]

exactly. that's all i want, it functions perfectly well as it is, despite it's clunkiness. i don't see why we should be forced to either take a step backwards and use it as a dumb thermostat, or be forced to buy a new one, or alternative, and have to pay an electrician to fit it. presumably at a cost of £250+ and the spark's fees.

[Prawlin]

I’ve just ordered the discounted Tado at £80 all in. It looks like a better solution than the outdated nest anyway to be fair.  Looks like a simple enough swap out. Plus the thermostat is a battery operated thing so that’s one less wall wart PSU hogging a mains outlet in my lounge 👍 (plus one less mains PSU 0n 24/7 to potentially develop a fault and burn my house down!)
https://uk.shop.tado.com/pages/nest-to-tado?utm_campaign=GS204797&utm_medium=email_service&utm_conte...

[Fil0083]

Thanks for sharing! I might end up doing the same and switching to the discounted Tado too.

Quick question if you know: does the Tado also have a sensor to detect presence and automatically go into away mode, like the Nest's Home/Away Assist?

Thanks in advance!

[Prawlin]

I don’t know if it has an at home sensor (probably not). But it appears to have a geofencing feature in the app that (presumably?) detects when your phone leaves the house WiFi zone and reacts accordingly. I think this might be an in app purchase though dunno.  It all looks pretty comprehensive. I’ve just downloaded the tapo° app in readiness. Can’t kick out the nest fast enough now. Good riddance 🤔. Peter. 

[Fil0083]

Thanks, really helpful!

Geofencing would work for me too if it’s reliable, although I find a sensor more reliable..

I had a quick look, I think Tado includes basic geofencing for free (like sending a reminder if you leave the house), but if you want full automatic Home/Away switching, it needs a small subscription (about £3/month or £25/year).

Thanks again for the info!

[bixieupnorth]

oh ok, please let us know how easy it is to install. i assume it links in thru the heat link that is already controlling our boilers?

[Fil0083]

Yeah, I’m wondering the same. I think Tado replaces the Heat Link but some wiring changes might be needed..

[Prawlin]

No. It doesn’t use the nest heat link that goes in the bin along with the nest.  It comes with its own flavour of heatlink receiver box, that has to be wired in to the same wires where the heatlink unit was. Peter

[Fil0083]

Brilliant! I’m so happy there’s no need for new holes or complicated wiring changes! Such a massive relief, thanks for confirming!

[bixieupnorth]

so we still need to fork out for an electrician/ boiler engineer?

[Prawlin]

“so we still need to fork out for an electrician/ boiler engineer?“

I suppose officially yes (unless you are a competent person to safely DIY it).
I am a retired electronics engineer. I installed my own nest around 10y ago, with the heat link box fitted in place of the old clunk/click mechanical wall thermostat. 
See Tado DIY Nest to Tado fitting guide…

https://cdn.bfldr.com/607DGEMS/as/6t5z5r2rhvf8cvx6m6g7nrw/UK_wireless_receiver_x_google_nest_guide

[Prawlin]

Maybe I’ll send my uninstalled nest to Google so they can shove it right up their @Rse!  🤣😀😂😎

[Prawlin]

🤣😀😂😎

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@Prawlin wrote:

Maybe I’ll send my uninstalled nest to Google so they can shove it right up their @Rse!  🤣😀😂😎

---

Actually, in fairness to Google that 50% discounted offer they’ve (presumably?) negotiated with Tado° is AFAICC a reasonable deal. Now that I’ve cooled down from the initial shock announcement. Plus I reckon the Tado could turn out to be a useful improvement over nest anyway. So it might be £80 well spent? Also, it must take fairly big balls for them to actually recommend us to be buying a non Google produced replacement. Or am I missing something here?  Peter

[bixieupnorth]

£80 plus extras? fitting, cradle etc?

[Prawlin]

I doubt we would need any extras. It is described as “starter kit”.  We’ll see anyway. 

[thermomania007]

Maybe we can patch our system...
At list for the European customers......
I'm not sure, but I think a third-party Wi-Fi relay connected in series to the "clean contact line available on the Nest Heat Link" could partially solve the problem, giving you the ability to turn the system on and off. With 30 to 40 euro you may "perhaps" able to keep your old Nest*
An additional Wi-Fi thermometer will tell you the room temperature.
I know it's not the best scenario, but it's better than continuing to give money to Google...
*(Lets see our NEST after October how will handle the new condition)

[rickthebeerman]

Everybody, you are missing the point here.  It is not about finding work-arounds and using patches. It's about Google doing the right **bleep** thing and keeping an active app for my Nest Thermostat until I am done using the **bleep** things. Quit giving kudos to Google for offering 50% off something to replace a perfectly fine device that still works perfectly that I have already paid for. 

[Steve3948]

Getting the 50% discount code is like trying to get blood out of stone, all they say is you will be getting an email. yeah like when ? I don't want to be sorting it out in October when it starts getting cold.

[rogue4gay]

Let Nest Thermostats Keep Working - Sign the Petition! https://chng.it/qX69Hr6qDB via @Change

[Fil0083]

Just a quick follow-up – I received and installed the Avatto thermostat (I went for the round model, £25 on AliExpress). As expected, the instructions weren’t great, but swapping it with the Nest Heat Link was straightforward. The thermostat itself feels a bit plasticky, but it’s solid enough and the design isn’t too offensive.

Integration with Smart Life was smooth, and it works well with Google Home too. The receiver connection actually seems more stable than my old Nest, which used to drop out occasionally – I’ve kept all devices in the same spots.

Responsiveness is on par with Nest when it comes to firing up the boiler. Obviously, this is just the beginning – I’ll need to see how it performs through the winter, but so far so good. Fingers crossed!

[Steve3948]

How many have not received the email containing the 50% discount offer, I've been waiting 5 weeks and contacted them at least 3-4 times and all I get is you will receive an email.