Google Clarifies Nest Thermostat Support: Older Models Won’t Be Bricked After 2025

A Google support agent sent shockwaves through the Nest thermostat community after telling a customer that older devices would soon lose all functionality, including manual temperature control. The alarming claim suggested that first and second-generation Nest thermostats would effectively turn into useless paperweights after October 2025.

In reality, the support agent’s statement was completely wrong.

The confusion began when Reddit user sk8bette contacted Google support about their second-generation Nest thermostat, which had suddenly lost WiFi connectivity. During the chat, Senior Technical Support representative Krizza claimed that Google had intentionally removed WiFi access as part of the upcoming end of support. When asked whether manual controls would still work, the agent doubled down, saying Google would “remotely break” older Nest devices, leaving them without “all functionality, including manual function.” Screenshots of the conversation quickly spread online.

The Reddit post exploded, with concerned users debating whether Google could really disable their devices remotely. Some wondered if disconnecting from WiFi or changing router passwords could prevent a so-called kill switch. While panic spread, others stepped in to clarify the situation and cast doubt on the claims.

Fortunately, Google’s official Nest community account intervened and set the record straight. “The information the agent provided is incorrect,” the company said, adding that it was investigating why the support representative had shared such misleading details.

Here’s the truth: when support officially ends on October 25, 2025, first and second-generation Nest thermostats will still function as standard programmable thermostats. Users will be able to adjust the temperature directly on the device, maintain existing schedules, and switch between heating and cooling. The only things going away are the smart features that rely on Google’s servers.

That means no more remote control through the app, no Google Assistant integration, no notifications, and no third-party connections. Security updates will also stop, but the core heating and cooling functions will remain intact.

To soften the blow, Google is offering affected North American users a discounted upgrade to the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat for $149.99—almost 50% off. In Europe, the situation is trickier. Since Google isn’t developing new thermostats for European heating systems, customers there are being offered discounts on Tado devices instead. More details are available on Google’s official Nest blog.

So, while older Nest thermostats won’t suddenly become useless, the support mishap highlights how quickly misinformation can spread—especially when it comes from customer service channels. The incident is a reminder that official help pages and company announcements are far more reliable than outsourced support responses, no matter how authoritative they might sound in the moment.

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