Can you control a Google Nest thermostat with Alexa? (Sort of)

On our most recent IoT Podcast episode, Michael called in to our IoT voicemail hotline with a smart home integration question. He wants to use his Alexa ecosystem to control his Google Nest thermostat. Specifically, he wants the Nest to enter “Away” mode when he arms his Ring security system as he leaves home.

There’s good news and bad news here for anyone wanting to tie these two systems together. You actually can connect a Nest thermostat to Alexa. However, it’s a limited experience and won’t do what Michael wants.

According to Google, if you have migrated from a Nest account to a Google account, you can install the Google Nest skill in your Amazon mobile app. That will integrate certain Nest devices, including the thermostat, with Alexa. But it only enables voice commands.

For example, you could use Alexa instead of Google to turn the heat up or down. Or you could turn the heat off, the air conditioning on, etc… Essentially, this only transfers voice commands from one platform to another. There aren’t any ways to use an Amazon device as a trigger event, which is what Michael wants to do, and have something happen on the Google Nest device.

All is not lost, however. We suggest that Micheal enable “Home/Away mode” in his Google Nest app. This will speed up the time it takes before the Google Nest changes modes by using its built-in sensors. Home/Away mode uses phone location data so when leaving the house, the thermostat will enter Away mode much quicker.

To hear Michael’s question, along with our full discussion on the topic, tune in to the IoT Podcast below: