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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Google did not remotely disable the heating hardware in every old Nest thermostat. On October 25, 2025, it ended cloud and app support for the first-generation, second-generation, and second-generation European Nest Learning Thermostats. Those devices can still be operated at the wall and continue running existing schedules, but app control, remote access, notifications, Google Assistant, Home/Away Assist, and several connected features are gone. Google’s support notice explains the cutoff.
An open-source community project called No Longer Evil Thermostat (NLE) aims to restore smart-style control through custom firmware and a new interface. It may be a useful rescue option for technically capable homeowners, but it is experimental firmware for equipment that controls heating and cooling—not an official Google replacement.
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What Google ended on October 25, 2025
The shutdown affected three specific products:
- Nest Learning Thermostat, first generation, released in 2011
- Nest Learning Thermostat, second generation, released in 2012
- Nest Learning Thermostat, second-generation European version, released in 2014
Google removed these thermostats from the Nest and Google Home apps and stopped providing software and security updates. The following connected functions no longer work:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Function | After the cutoff |
|---|---|
| Manual temperature adjustment at the thermostat | Still works |
| Existing schedules | Continue operating, according to Google |
| Heating, cooling and mode changes at the thermostat | Still works |
| Nest or Google Home app control | No |
| Remote access | No |
| Notifications | No |
| Google Assistant control | No |
| Home/Away Assist | No |
| Multi-device Eco control | No |
| Nest Protect connection and related emergency-shutoff behavior | Removed or affected |
| Security updates | No longer provided |
That distinction matters. Saying Google “bricked” the thermostats is an understandable shorthand, but it is technically imprecise. The affected units still provide core local thermostat functions; they have lost much of the cloud service that made them smart devices.
#1 Best Overall
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory. Lock feature: No
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home; easily program an energy efficient schedule in the Google home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
- Savings Finder looks for more ways your thermostat can help you save, and suggests tweaks to your schedule in the app; check with your energy provider to learn more about rebates and more ways to save on a Nest thermostat
Check your model before doing anything
“Old Nest” is not a precise enough description. The third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E are not included in this particular shutdown, nor is the 2020 Nest Thermostat or the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat, according to Google’s current support information.
Use Google’s model-identification guide to compare the display, ring, base, connectors and other physical details. The first- and second-generation models generally have a small display of approximately 1.8 inches, but visual similarity can lead to misidentification. The European second-generation model is explicitly included in the cutoff.
What is No Longer Evil Thermostat?
NLE is a community-built project intended to replace the discontinued Nest software and service relationship with custom firmware and a new control interface. Its stated purpose is to give supported first- and second-generation Nest thermostats a second life after Google’s shutdown.
Project information and reporting describe a browser-based interface for functions such as temperature control, scheduling and settings management. Reporting has also discussed possible Home Assistant, MQTT and REST integration. Those capabilities should be treated as reported or project-dependent rather than assumed to work identically on every thermostat.
Rank #2
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
NLE may restore useful smart-thermostat behavior, but it should not be described as a complete recreation of Google Nest. Google Assistant, Google Home routines, Home/Away Assist, Nest Protect integration, energy history, notifications, automatic updates and support for every HVAC configuration require separate confirmation in the project’s current documentation.
Local versus hosted NLE operation
Replacing Google does not automatically mean eliminating every outside service. NLE materials and coverage refer to both local or self-hosted use and a project-hosted access path. These are different arrangements:
| Self-hosted | Hosted | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the service runs | On infrastructure you control | On infrastructure operated by the project or another provider |
| Privacy | Potentially better, depending on your network and configuration | Requires trust in the operator and its data practices |
| Convenience | More setup and maintenance | Usually easier to start |
| Dependency | Depends on your hardware, network and ability to maintain it | Depends on the provider’s uptime, account system and continued operation |
| Remote access | Requires a deliberately secured remote-access design | May be built into the hosted arrangement, subject to its security and availability |
A hosted NLE service may be more convenient, but it is not “fully local.” It changes the cloud dependency from Google to a smaller project or service operator. Before using it, consider account security, privacy, uptime, update practices and what happens if the project closes.
The installation risk is real
Installing NLE is not comparable to installing an ordinary phone app. It involves modifying the software on a thermostat that controls a household HVAC system. Coverage from Liliputing and Tom’s Hardware characterizes the project as experimental and warns that flashing can potentially brick the device.
Rank #3
- Nest’s smartest, most advanced thermostat yet, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is a beautiful, brilliant way to save energy, keep your home comfortable, and help make sure your heating and cooling systems are running smoothly[4]
- Savings you can count on: The Nest Learning Thermostat can help save up to 31% on heating and cooling bills[2]
- Improved compatibility: It works with most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, and radiant, and no C wire is required for installation in most homes; visit the Nest Compatibility Checker for more info[5]
- Easy control in the Google Home app: Adjust on your phone from anywhere[1] or by using your voice with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant smart speaker[3], it’s easy to install yourself and it’s Matter compatible for simple integration into your smart home[5]
- Beautiful design: With a 60% larger display[11] and Dynamic Farsight, you can see info from across the room[1]; choose the design, like a clock or the weather; it automatically adjusts brightness for the best readability or you can adjust manually
The exact supported hardware revisions, firmware release, tools, recovery process and installation commands can change. Follow the project’s current documentation rather than copying an old command sequence from a forum or article. Do not assume that a successful flash guarantees correct HVAC operation.
Prepare before modifying the thermostat
- Confirm the exact model and region. Do not proceed based solely on the thermostat’s age or appearance.
- Photograph the wiring. Take clear pictures of the terminals and base before removing or changing anything.
- Record the HVAC configuration. Write down heating, cooling, fan, heat-pump, humidifier, dehumidifier and staging settings.
- Record schedules and preferences. Existing schedules may remain on the device, but keep a written fallback copy.
- Test the system first. Confirm that heating and cooling operate normally before modification.
- Check compatibility. Complex systems may need professional assessment. Google’s compatibility guidance explains why wiring and HVAC configuration can matter.
- Arrange a fallback. Have a replacement thermostat, spare control method or other workable heating and cooling plan available.
- Read current project notes. Check release notes, compatibility warnings, issue reports and recovery instructions for your exact hardware revision.
- Choose the timing carefully. Avoid experimenting immediately before travel or during extreme cold or heat.
If the thermostat is the only practical way to maintain safe indoor temperatures, do not treat it as a suitable first experiment unless you have a realistic recovery plan.
Security and privacy considerations
No blanket claim that NLE is secure is justified without reviewing its current code, firmware-signing process, update mechanism and threat model. Before installation, look for answers to these questions:
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- Does a hosted service receive temperature, occupancy or household data?
- How are accounts authenticated, and is two-factor authentication available?
- Are firmware images signed?
- How are updates delivered?
- What happens when the thermostat or server loses internet access?
- Is there a vulnerability-reporting process?
As sensible precautions, use a strong unique password, avoid exposing the thermostat directly to the public internet, prefer local-only access where practical, and isolate self-hosted smart-home services using normal home-network protections. Keep copies of firmware, documentation, configuration and recovery information where legally and technically possible.
Rank #4
- Nest’s smartest, most advanced thermostat yet, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is a beautiful, brilliant way to save energy, keep your home comfortable, and help make sure your heating and cooling systems are running smoothly[4]
- Savings you can count on: The Nest Learning Thermostat can help save up to 31% on heating and cooling bills [2]
- Improved compatibility: It works with most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, and radiant, and no C wire is required for installation in most homes; visit the Nest Compatibility Checker for more info[5]
- Easy control in the Google Home app: Adjust on your phone from anywhere[1] or by using your voice with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant smart speaker[3], it’s easy to install yourself and it’s Matter compatible for simple integration into your smart home[5]
- Beautiful design: With a 60% larger display[11] and Dynamic Farsight, you can see info from across the room[1]; choose the design, like a clock or the weather; it automatically adjusts brightness for the best readability or you can adjust manually
When NLE makes sense
NLE is most reasonable for an owner who:
- Has an affected first- or second-generation thermostat
- Wants to preserve working hardware and reduce dependence on Google
- Understands custom firmware and network configuration
- Can tolerate experimental software
- Has a backup thermostat or fallback heating plan
- Is prepared to maintain a self-hosted service or evaluate the risks of a hosted one
It is a poor fit when guaranteed HVAC operation, official support or Google ecosystem compatibility is essential. It is also a poor fit for a rental, vacation property or other location where a failed installation would be difficult to correct.
When replacing the thermostat is safer
Replacement is usually the better construction and maintenance decision when reliability matters more than preserving old hardware, the HVAC system is complex, or the thermostat controls a property that cannot easily be visited. Multiple stages, heat pumps, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and unusual wiring increase the value of compatibility checking and professional installation.
A current supported thermostat can provide a clearer update path and vendor support, although it may retain cloud dependencies. Google’s fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat is one official replacement route, but an affected-owner promotion listed by Google at $149.99 was stated to expire on December 31, 2025 and should not be presented as available now. Check current pricing, availability and HVAC compatibility before purchasing from the official product page.
Home Assistant is another option for readers who want a broader local smart-home platform. It may serve as an automation layer around a compatible thermostat or NLE installation, but it is not by itself a guaranteed replacement for the old Nest cloud service. See Home Assistant’s official site for the current platform and hardware options.
Best Value
- Programmable smart thermostat that learns your schedule and the temperatures you like and programs itself to help you save energy and stay comfortable
- Home/Away Assist automatically adjusts itself to an Eco Temperature after you leave, so you don’t heat or cool an empty home; remote control lets you change the temperature from anywhere on your phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
- With Energy History, just check your phone to see how much energy you used and why, or use Quick View on the display to reach Energy History, settings, or your schedule; the Nest Leaf appears when you choose a temperature that saves energy
- Smart thermostat with HVAC monitoring, which looks out for your heating and cooling systems; sends an alert if something doesn’t seem right, along with helpful reminders to make maintenance easier[2]
- The Nest Learning Thermostat works with the Nest Temperature Sensor (sold separately) to help make sure a certain room is the exact temperature you want it to be
What happens if NLE disappears?
Open source can improve resilience because source code and documentation may remain available beyond a hosted service’s lifetime. It does not guarantee continuity. Practical long-term support still depends on maintainers, firmware builds, hardware documentation, security fixes, recovery tools and the owner’s ability to operate the system.
A self-hosted installation may outlast a hosted service, but it also transfers responsibility to the homeowner. A hosted installation is easier for many users but creates another potential single point of failure. That is the central trade-off: NLE can reduce dependence on Google without removing the need to assess dependencies.
Bottom line
No Longer Evil Thermostat is a promising community rescue project for affected first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats, not a risk-free official replacement. The old thermostats still work locally, but Google’s app and cloud features ended on October 25, 2025. If you have backup HVAC control and are comfortable with experimental firmware, NLE may extend the life of otherwise usable equipment. If dependable operation, support and predictable recovery matter most, replacing the thermostat—or using a qualified installer for a complex HVAC system—is the safer choice.
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