For nearly a decade, Google’s Nest Thermostat has been one of the most popular smart heating systems in UK homes. Its combination of sleek design, intelligent learning features, and app control made it the benchmark for modern heating control.
But the landscape is changing.
2nd Generation Nest – Officially Retired
As of 25th October 2025, Google has ended server connectivity for 2nd Generation Nest thermostats.
This means those units can no longer connect to Google’s servers, cutting off remote app access, scheduling, and other smart features.
Heating can still be controlled manually on the device itself, but the thermostat is no longer “smart” in any practical sense.
3rd Generation Nest – Discontinued but Still Supported
Google has confirmed it has stopped manufacturing the 3rd Generation Nest Learning Thermostat, which first launched back in 2015.
While support for existing units will continue for the foreseeable future, Google now lists them as “available while stocks last”. Realistically, those stocks have already become difficult to find across major UK retailers, with the likes of Amazon and Screwfix already not listing 3rd-Generation Nests for sale any longer, and the issue of availability has been like this since 2024’s Black Friday deals saw most stocks bought up then.
So What’s Happening?
The US has recently received a new 4th-generation Nest Thermostat, but Google has publicly stated that this model will not be released in the UK or EU due to the more complex heating systems used here.
This leaves UK homeowners in a difficult position: the 3rd Gen is still a supported product, but with manufacturing stopped, availability will only decline. And if we follow the same pattern as the 2nd Gen, support could realistically be retired within the next few years.
What’s Behind the Move?
Google appears to be shifting focus away from dedicated thermostat hardware and more toward integrating heating control into the broader Google Home ecosystem, combining smart displays, voice control, and automation under one platform.
While that may benefit users with full Google Home setups, it effectively leaves the UK heating market without an updated Nest option.
What This Means for Homeowners
If you currently own a 2nd-generation Nest, unfortunately, there’s no way to restore its online features.
If you own a 3rd-Generation Nest, it will continue to work normally for now, but replacement units or additional thermostats are becoming increasingly hard to source.
If you’re looking to install a new smart thermostat or future-proof your existing setup, it’s worth considering alternative brands that are actively supported and built for long-term reliability.
Looking Ahead
In our next post, we’ll cover the best alternatives to Google Nest, including options from Inspire Home Automation, Hive, Tado°, and others. Looking at what each offers, their app experience, and how they integrate into smart homes.
If you’d like advice or help upgrading from your Nest system, get in touch. We can recommend and install the best smart thermostat setup for your home.