Google Nest Hub Smart Home Resources Being Discontinued?
Yes, Google is winding down several smart home resources, most notably the Google Nest app for the web and the original Works with Nest program, which has left some users feeling that years of useful smart home resources are being thrown away. However, the company is not abandoning the smart home; it is consolidating resources into the Google Home app and the Google Home Developer Center, though this transition has caused real disruption and feature loss for some users.
Background: The Rise and Fall of Works with Nest
In 2014, Google acquired Nest Labs, a smart thermostat and camera company known for its polished products and a developer program called Works with Nest. This program allowed third-party devices and services (like smart locks, lights, and even car systems) to connect directly to Nest products using a simple API. For example, you could set your Nest thermostat to automatically turn down when your August Smart Lock detected you had left the house.
In 2019, Google announced it was shutting down Works with Nest and moving all integrations to the Google Assistant and the Google Home app. This decision was made to unify the smart home ecosystem under Google’s own platform. However, the transition was rocky: many Works with Nest integrations broke, and some features, like the ability to control Nest cameras from third-party apps, were lost entirely. Google later introduced the Google Home Developer Console as the replacement, but it never fully replicated the simplicity of the original program.
What Google Is Discontinuing in 2023–2024
The most recent change is the shutdown of the Google Nest app for the web (nest.com). Users can no longer view camera feeds, adjust thermostats, or manage settings from a desktop browser. Google has directed users to the Google Home app, which is mobile-only. This means no web-based control for Nest devices, a feature that existed for over a decade.
Additionally, Google has announced that the Google Home app’s “Structures� and “Homes� will be merged into a single “Home� concept, and some older device integrations may stop working as the backend is updated. The company has also deprecated the “Google Home� app’s ability to add certain third-party devices that rely on the older “Works with Google� API, pushing developers to the newer “Google Home Device SDK.�
Why Google Is Making These Changes
Google’s stated goal is to simplify the smart home experience by having a single app and a single developer platform. The company argues that maintaining multiple apps (Nest app, Google Home app, web portals) and multiple APIs (Works with Nest, Works with Google, Google Home SDK) is inefficient and confusing for users and developers.
However, critics point out that Google has a history of killing products and services that users rely on, from Google Reader to Google+ to the original Works with Nest. The company’s approach to smart home has been criticized for being fragmented, with different teams working on Nest and Google Home for years before the merger. The recent changes are an attempt to consolidate, but they come at the cost of features that power users valued.
What You Lose and What You Keep
If you are a current Nest user, here is what the changes mean in practice:
- Web access: You can no longer control or view your Nest devices from a web browser. The nest.com site now only offers product info and links to download the Google Home app.
- Third-party integrations: Some older integrations that relied on Works with Nest may still work if they were migrated to the Google Home API, but many were not. For example, the popular IFTTT applets for Nest were discontinued in 2019, and only a few have returned.
- Google Home app features: The Google Home app has gained many Nest features, such as camera feeds, thermostat scheduling, and doorbell notifications. However, some advanced settings (like Nest Cam’s “privacy mode� or thermostat’s “sunblock� feature) are still only available in the legacy Nest app, which Google says will remain available for now but will not receive new features.
- Developer access: The Google Home Developer Console is the new way to build integrations. It supports more device types than Works with Nest, but it requires a Google Cloud project and is more complex to set up.
How to Preserve Your Smart Home Setup
If you are worried about losing functionality, here are some steps you can take:
- Migrate to the Google Home app: If you haven’t already, download the Google Home app and link all your Nest devices. Most core features are now available there.
- Check your third-party integrations: Go through your connected apps (like SmartThings, Home Assistant, or IFTTT) and see if they still work. If not, look for alternative integrations using the Google Home API.
- Consider a local-first hub: For advanced users, platforms like Home Assistant can connect to Nest devices via a local API (though this requires a Google Cloud project and a one-time fee). This gives you more control and reduces reliance on Google’s cloud.
- Use the legacy Nest app for advanced settings: Until Google removes it, keep the Nest app installed for features not yet in Google Home.
Alternatives to Google’s Smart Home Platform
If you are frustrated with Google’s direction, there are alternatives. Amazon’s Alexa has a more open developer program, and Apple’s HomeKit focuses on privacy and local control. Matter, a new smart home standard, aims to make devices work across all platforms, but adoption is still early. For those who want full control, Home Assistant is a popular open-source option that supports thousands of devices, including Nest (with some limitations).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Nest devices stop working?
No, your Nest thermostats, cameras, and doorbells will continue to function. The changes affect how you access them (no web app) and how they integrate with third-party services. The devices themselves are not being bricked.
Is the Nest app being shut down?
Google has not announced a shutdown date for the mobile Nest app. It still works and is required for some advanced settings. However, Google is no longer adding new features to it, and new Nest devices are not supported in the Nest app—they only work in the Google Home app.
Can I still use IFTTT with my Nest devices?
IFTTT support for Nest was discontinued in 2019. Some applets were re-added later, but the functionality is limited compared to the original Works with Nest integration. Check the IFTTT service page for Nest to see what is currently available.
Why did Google kill Works with Nest?
Google said it wanted to unify its smart home ecosystem and improve security. The old system allowed third-party devices to access Nest data, which posed privacy risks. The new Google Home API is designed to be more secure, but it is also more restrictive.
What is the Google Home Developer Console?
It is the replacement for Works with Nest and the older Works with Google API. Developers use it to create integrations with Google Home devices. It supports more device types and offers better tools, but it requires a Google Cloud project and is more complex for hobbyists.
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