Nest Thermostat Gen 4 Matter/HomeKit Integration

[Dane0r]

Hello,

Just set up my Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 in the Google Home app.  No matter what I do, it seems to be unable to connect at Apple HomeKit using the Matter setup.  I have tried restarting from Factory Reset and that did not solve the problem.  Everything’s on the same Wi-Fi Network.  Any ideas?

[Meb414]

Same problem

[Dan1012]

Same problem over here too

[davorf]

same here just got it and it keeps failing.

[Dane0r]

I played with it for several hours and I got it to work, here are the steps that I took:

1. Complete first setup as usual
2. On your Mobile device in the Google Home app, Remove the Thermostat.
3. On the Thermostat 4th Gen, go to the Settings Menu -> Matter and ensure it shows 0 Linked Apps.  If it shows Google Home, attempt to unlink on the thermostat.
4. On the Thermostat 4th Gen, go to the Settings Menu -> Account and remove it from your Google Account if it still shows connected there as well.
   
   NOTE: The thermostat at Step 3 or 4 should prompt that it's clearing user data and resetting (not to factory defaults, just without user data).  Allow it to proceed with this.
   
   
5. On the Thermostat 4th Gen, go to the Settings Menu -> Account and you should get a prompt to set up with Google Home and it will show a QR code.
6. On your Mobile Device, click Add in the Google Home app, select "Google Nest or Partner Device" and on the next screen, instead of selecting "Thermostat", select the "Matter Enabled Device" option.  Scan the QR Code on the Thermostat.
7. At this point, it should prompt you to add the Thermostat to Apple HomeKit and Google Home and continue setup like normal.
8. Test in Apple Home app to ensure connection works.  It may take a few moments the first time you use it to adjust the thermostat.

Hopefully these steps work for everyone else and it wasn't just some random luck.  Google really needs to figure out what the issue is though given how many replies here are having the same issue.

[Dan1012]

Followed your instructions, and it would fail at step 7. Tried it multiple times but nothing. I reverted to setting up using “thermostat” instead of “matter”. Went on the google app to get a code before linking to Apple HomeKit. Opened the home app to add accessory and added the code from google. It worked! I honestly think it just had to get removed from everything and start fresh. Regardless thank you for your instructions! 

[davorf]

This did not work for me and I tried it multiple times. Is there a specific WIFI (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) that is needed? Docs say it's compatible with both and mine is on the 5 GHZ networking but I am wondering if maybe it just needs to switch back to the 2.4 GHz to work.

[Meb414]

I have Orbi AC4200, which is amazing and after an update doesn’t allow me to specify the  2.4 vs 5 band. If matter is 2.4 only, then I’m not anticipating a workaround. Maybe my old starling will update and make it work for me again, which is sad.

[whistlerdev]

After an hour, with no progress, I turned off my router's "smart setting".  

Could then generate a code and added the device through HomeKit's normal add device workflow.  Showed up on a second iPhone right away as expected.  

[Willi1]

I was unable to connect to wifi on Gen. 4 until I disabled the 5ghz antenna on my Eeros 6e mesh system. After it connected and completed the installation, I was able to restore the 5ghz signal and it continues the connection to wifi and the app. 

[davorf]

Can you clarify this - Went on the google app to get a code before linking to Apple HomeKit. Opened the home app to add accessory and added the code from google.

Did you go to the google app nest settings and it gave you a code under Linked Matter apps & services - Link app & services?  When you get that code how did you proceed in the HomeKit app? I get a code that says it will expire in 15 minutes and  when I go to add accessory it finds my nest nearby which never works but if i try my accessory is not showing it gives me an option to add code but that doesn't seem to work neither.

[Dan1012]

When I clicked on +Add > Google Nest or partner device > Chose my home > searched for devices > Selected Thermostat > went through the setup process.

Afterwards went into the gear icon (Settings) > Linked Matter apps & services > clicked on Link apps & services > it generated a pairing code ( had to tap on try again and it generated the code). Copy code >

Opened the Home app > + Add accessory > More options > This is something I did differently, the thermostat showed under "Nearby" so I tapped it and it asked for the code. That's where I pasted the code from the google app. From there it automatically just worked and I see it on my iPhone and iPad. 

Hopefully it works out. 

[davorf]

So after trying all day yesterday I finally gave up only to then remember hey let me try on my iPad and sure enough first time I tried it worked immediately. I now have the accessory on my homekit working as expected.

[Meb414]

Tried iPad, still nothing

[davorf]

Hey @Dane0r 

It still fails for me when I get to the step 7 and it's trying to get added to HomeKit. I just get a generic failed message and to try again.

[Meb414]

Same 😔

[Dane0r]

Shoot, I must’ve just gotten lucky then on that retry.  Hopefully Google figures it out.

[kelanfromgoogle · Accepted solution]

Hey folks,

I'm sorry to hear you're running into trouble pairing the Nest Learning Thermostat with other Matter ecosystems, I hope the following information will help!

There are two ways to pair the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) with third-party Matter-enabled systems - the first would be setting up the thermostat with the Google Home app and then linking it with the third-party app. I believe this method is what you're attempting and is giving you trouble.

Sometimes, a more reliable method is to link the thermostat directly through the third-party app, in this case Apple Home app.

1. Press the thermostat toward the wall to open the menu.
2. Rotate the dial to highlight Settings and press the thermostat toward the wall to select it.
3. Select Matter and then Link another app and then Scan code.
4. Scan the generated code using the third-party app and follow the app’s instructions to link your thermostat.

After the thermostat is linked to the third-party app, you can go to Settings and then Matter and then Manage to see a list of linked services.

I hope this helps, please let me know if you are still encountering issues pairing the thermostat through Matter.

Cheers,
Kelan

[Anonymous]

It doesn't work.

After MANY, MANY tries, I'm able to get it to pair to the Apple Home app via Matter. I can SEE the device in Apple Home, but all it does is sit there and say "No response". 

It never works.. ever.

If I reset and try to pair it as a matter device as suggested in this thread, I get a generic "Pairing Failed" message with no explanation.

What is going on here?

[Dane0r]

My thermostat spontaneously unpaired and I am back into a loop of being unable to get it back into Apple HomeKit. I’ve tried everything I did initially and nothing is working.

[Meb414]

Got it working! Very random sequence, but here’s what I did:

1) Link via Google home app

2) In the app, go to link with matter app

3) Get the code

4) Using separate iPhone in the same home, open Home app and add accessory.

5) Input the code & voila.

This is an absurd process and I’m disappointed with Google. 

[Anonymous]

You're able to actually control it with Apple Home?  I got mine to link but just says "no response" in the Apple Home app - no matter what I try.

[Xjohns1]

Same problem. Paired fine and used to work well with Home app until a day ago. Tried repairing but still no response. Only accessory with the problem. 

[Helix_code]

I'm having the same issue. I have two AC units and the upstairs thermostat will not pair with Apple home or home assistant no matter how many times I reset it.

[Helix_code]

I finally managed to get both thermostats working after deleting and factory resting them

[alexmack]

I too had the same issue, and tried all of the listed replies… however I found an additional item for folks to try as it worked for me:

Disable Private Relay

That’s it, 2 weeks of struggle and then turning it off I was able to set it up in HomeKit without issue.