On our most recent IoT Podcast episode, Dean called into the IoT Podcast Hotline and left us a question that many people have pondered over the past few months. Dean is concerned that the Nest app is going away in favor of Google Home due to this summer’s news that Nest accounts will eventually be migrated into Google accounts. This is part of Google’s decision to retire its Works with Nest program in favor of a new Works with Google effort in the smart home.
Dean currently has a Nest thermostat, multiple Google Home devices and Hue lights. His concern is that the Nest app is going away and he’s wondering if he should keep it and perhaps move to a Google account.
At some point, Dean and all other current Nest users that haven’t yet moved over to a Google account will have to make the switch. Is it something to do right away? Not exactly.
First up, any current Works with Nest integrations will no longer work once you migrate your account from Nest to Google. So if you’re using services that work with Nest, such as IFTTT, they won’t work after account migration. Google specifically says to expect this, at least until third-party services are integrated with the Works with Google platform. Some have made the switch but others haven’t yet.
Second, as I found out when I migrated my Nest account over to Google, the process isn’t as seamless as it should be. I got a little frustrated when migrating but eventually everything worked out. I wasn’t thrilled, however, to find out that with Google’s account, all Google Nest Home members have “the same level of access and control as you.” That’s another concern to consider before taking the plunge here.
And if you used a G Suite account for Nest, you actually won’t be able to migrate over with that account. You’ll need to create a new Gmail account just to get around this. Again, not a great customer experience.
Regardless, at some point, Nest accounts will go away. My advice: Strongly consider if and when to move from Nest to Google based on your current device integrations and if you have a Gmail account already. The other option is to decide if staying in Google’s ecosystem is what you want in the long term. It would cost you some money in terms of new devices, but you could always ditch Google for Amazon, or even Samsung.
To hear Dean’s question in full, as well as our discussion, tune in below to the IoT Podcast:
Making everyone who is invited to Google Home have the SAME RIGHTS as the owner is dangerous and stupid! Google nerds to fix this, or we’ll be dumping our Dropcam and Nest cams for good!
Why is my nest cameras, thermostat, and smoke detectors changed to google? Now I can’t login to use my nest equipment.
I’m starting to think about replacing the Nest system with something else, just so Google can’t continue to get even more information without my consent. Definitely getting worried about the ‘Big Brother’ syndrome, just imagine how much access they already have into our lives. Modern systems are amazing things, but at what cost!!
I don’t agree with this change over! I chose Nest because it was not involved with the big boys in tech! Think Governments should get involved if people are going to be forced to change over, or a compensation to be paid, as on buying this was not was agreed too!
Don’t do it – ditch google!
I migrated and lost all my devices including thermostat and its settings, cameras around the house, cameras outside, doorbell – the whole lot all gone. They say just scan the QR codes and reload – but that’s not easy as it’s all 150 miles away and with this pandemic on I’m not expecting to go there soon! A totally useless and pointless migration.
Terrible mistake to migrate my Nest account to Google. Nest was simple & working cameras easy. I should have known when they stated you can’t go back to your Nest account. Beautiful Nest products; beautiful cameras, beautiful thermostats, and great smoke & carbon monoxide alarms and EASY to use. Not so now. Still have one house on Nest account. Real mistake to switch to Google.
I just made the same mistake! I received a “free” nest hub and in trying to get it to automatically bring up the doorbell video when someone rang the bell I migrated the account. Clicking too fast over the warning and assuming I could create a NEW account or something to get things back to functionality if it didn’t work out. Now all my email notifications go to gmail without the option to use the destination email I had established and prefer. I have a constant upload from the camera that is NOT SSL that tech support “has never heard of” and everything is 3 times a difficult and time consuming – Nest tech support was so professional now I get that “interNOTHINGal” feel when I call in. May have to ditch the doorbell but I will start with ditching the nest hub. Everytime I have to access gmail I end up with 10 browser windows open.
Some years ago I bought the Lenovo 10 inch Smart Display and I was able to view Nest cameras at my moms house clear across the USA by linking my nest acct. Then my smart display updated and I could only link my Google Home acct to the device. Luckily I have not linked my mothers nest acct that I exclusively control (I am my mothers attorney-in-fact) to my google home acct and I NEVER will as I can access my moms cameras through her nest acct on my samsung tablet. Too bad the Lenovo display only uses the Google Home acct. Makes the device semi-worthless for me. If Google some day forces me to only link Nest cameras to a Google Home acct, then it had better be simple and easy to link the cameras that are 2,500 miles away from my ‘Home.’ An upgraded continuous recording Arlo plan is just as good as Nest when Arlo cameras are on AC power. I can monitor my Home Arlo cameras from my moms when visiting. The reverse would work just fine too. In the meantime, my mother’s Nest cameras will not be migrated to Google so that I continue to have full access on my android phone and samsung tablet using the Nest app.
Google Home is clunky compared to Nest. Everything is on one page; locks, cameras, smoke detectors, and lights.
Google home you have to drill down to see these things. I also found many features in Nest are not in Goggle Home. I’m pretty disappointed that could not move the code over and make enhancements. Boo.
My problems started from the installation of my nest door bell. after purchasing the Nest door bell camera I found the existing mains doorbell could not be used as it operated at 9 volts via a transformer and the nest camera required 16 volts. I Found that a 16v door bell was not available in the UK and had to order one from the US. The appointed nest engineer installed the camera door bell but could not programme it and said it was faulty. He contacted Nest who was sending a replacement meanwhile he had a spare that he installed to save time. However his spare turned out to be a black and whiite camera which I did not become aware until a much later date.I to migrated from Nest to Google and to start with was OK but since, my computer and my wife’s phone have both lost the camera connection and I have not been able to retrieve them. I am totally fed up with Nest who I cannot contact to get some help and am considering dumping the lot which has cost a small fortune!
If you are using Nest, DO NOT migrate to Google Nest software platform. Many of the awesome features in Nest will NOT work with Google. Google has taken an amazing software platform and ruined it. When the day comes that I am forced to migrate to Google, I will be moving on.
I mistakenly migrated to google home. I am trying to delete and login with my husband’s account, not linked to mine. Its not letting me
I started to read what migration to Google entails and a bit shocked at the extreme over reach. Never will I let those same dweebs who controlled electoral information control my house.
Do not want nest thermostats moved to google. Seriously am looking for replacement.
I’m dropping all nest products just because this migration
I loved using nest app and having all my smoke detectors, sensors, thermostat and cameras together. All easy to use to arrange the way you like in the app. Home app is very unprofessional
Keep crashing. Just to see my cameras I need to click on cameras, then click the one I want to see and only the I should click again to see live feed. How ridiculous is this. On nest I could see all my cameras lined up in one and live, only if I like to zoom then I need to choose. Google home app layout and controls is something like 10 ago would be. So uner developed!!!! What a waste of money, all my Nest devices I purchased . I’m changing to different brand.
Will not use Google for anything
Very disappointed
Thank you all. I will keep nest app as long as it works. I had major issues with complications managing the Tstats and 3 Tstats dying on a 2 wire boiler system made me loose my hair because Google support was USELESS for over a year of headaches. (I figured it out myself and Google direction was totally WRONG) but sounds like I should keep nest now that everything is working fine. I have 2 houses with cameras thermostats and Yale door handles. 900 miles away from one house so it sounds pretty clear that if I tried to migrate to Google, I would lose some connection to those devices until I returned there
I also dont want to move to google but what can I replace the smoke detectors and thermostat with that is as good as the nest was?
It depends on exactly which features you want. For example, I myself am a wheelchair user, so I need smoke detectors where the sound can be turned off or tested from an app. I have no way of reaching a button on the device itself. Nest was the first to offer this, but now there are a couple of others that do as well.
I don’t know of any other US company that offers both smart smoke detectors and smart thermostats except for Honeywell, and their smart smoke detectors are intended for commercial buildings, not residential.
First alert onelink smart smoke detectors are, I think, very good, and have many of the same features in a residential unit as nest, although maybe not all. Since onelink has models that work with both Alexa and Apple Home, if either of those platforms work for you, then you would have a wide choice of smart thermostats from other brands.
So it comes down to the details of your total set up.
Also, smoke sensors are typically only available in one specific region, so, if you are not in North America, that would make a big difference. In Europe, for example, you might look at Fibaro or Netatmo as candidates, but those models are not available in the US.
I posted above back in December , listened to the podcast today with great interest. Not any mention of the Yale locks if they are third party and subject to the nest app boot
I am glad I get to keep the nest app for a while longer still, since I manage the door locks and 4 nest thermostats from nearly 1000 miles away, everything has been great once I figured out the thermostat headache