Does Nest Thermostat Work With HomeKit?

The Nest Learning Thermostat is the most recent addition to my HomeKit-powered smart house.

To keep my energy costs in check while providing me with complete control over the temperature in my home, I purchased this gadget.

As a result, I was surprised to learn that the Nest thermostat is incompatible with Apple’s HomeKit.

That’s when I began looking for methods to connect my Nest thermostat to Apple’s HomeKit automation system.

The Homebridge hub or device is required in order for the Nest Thermostat to function with Apple HomeKit. Many people have taken an interest in Apple’s HomeKit, and it’s easy to see why. As long as your smart home gadgets are compatible, you can use the system to control them all. HomeKit is a gift that keeps on giving: it lets you manage everything from your locks and lights to your thermostat. Nonetheless, does it work with the company’s Nest thermostat?

Unfortunately, there is no way to use Google Nest with HomeKit. The Nest thermostat can only be connected to HomeKit through a HomeBridge hub or device. It’s possible, but it’s not going to be a simple procedure.

This is still a possibility for those hoping to build their dream smart home with Nest and HomeKit integration. It’s possible to get past the fact that the two aren’t designed to be interoperable. This detailed guide will help you set up and maintain your devices without any issues. Connecting Google gadgets to HomeKit is a hot topic right now. It’s logical. All of Google’s smart gadgets are of the highest quality, enhancing the smart home experience. As a result, HomeKit’s customizability and automation are unequaled in the market. Connecting Google products with HomeKit, on the other hand, raises the bar on smart home functionality to whole new heights.

A HomeBridge hub or device will be required to link the two since Google Nest devices don’t allow HomeKit integration. On the other hand, Google intends to implement a new networking standard called Matter, which will allow gadgets created by Google and competing firms to communicate with one another.

On the other hand, Nest does not provide HomeKit native or direct integration.

Does Nest Thermostat Work With HomeKit? How To Connect

In the end, I realized that there are two methods to go about integrating my Nest Thermostat with HomeKit.

Alternatively, you may use Homebridge on your computer to regulate the temperature. There are a few reasons why this may be difficult, though. You’ll need to have your computer running all the time, which isn’t ideal for most individuals.

Homebridge’s difficult setup is another problem with this configuration.

The second choice, which I ultimately went with, is to utilize a plug-and-play Homebridge device.

All of your Nest devices, including your thermostats, will be compatible with Homekit once this little device is connected to your network.

To me, this solution’s set-and-forget simplicity and simple setup made it a no-brainer pick.

With a Homebridge device, your smart home setup may be expanded to include a variety of additional automation that your house can benefit from. Here, we’ll cover the second method of linking your Nest thermostat with Apple HomeKit.

Connecting Nest Thermostat With HomeKit Using a Homebridge Hub

After comparing four various HomeKit hubs, I decided on the Starling Home Hub since it was the most reliable, user-friendly, and versatile choice available.

Connecting a tiny hub to your router allows all of your Nest devices to communicate with the Home app on your Apple devices through the Home app.

HomeKit doesn’t support Google Nest devices directly, but you can still use HomeBridge to link your Nest thermostat to HomeKit.

Since the iOS API is being emulated by Homebridge, it may connect any other HomeKit-compatible gadget to it. As a goal, HomeBridge should enable your Nest devices to show up in the Home app on the Apple device that you’ve designated as your home hub.

Nest thermostats may be connected to Homekit in one of two ways: through a wired or wireless connection.

Ensure that HomeBridge operates on a PC that is always on.

HomeBridge can perform the hard work for you if you buy a hub.

Because of the difficulties in setting up a HomeBridge hub on a computer, most users choose to purchase one instead. To begin with, you’ll be required to leave your computer on all the time, which is not recommended. In addition, if you aren’t tech-savvy, you may be baffled by the procedure’s many technical phases.

In contrast, a HomeBridge hub provides a one-stop-shop for all of your home automation needs. Nothing else needs your attention beyond that point; that is once it’s up and running. The setup process is straightforward and doesn’t need a lot of technical know-how.

You just need to connect the Hub to your router, log in, and let it handle the rest. All of your Nest devices will appear in the Home app when you complete this step.

Why Use Starling Home Hub for Nest Thermostat?

Since there are a few other options, I must explain why I choose the Starling Home Hub instead of another thermostat hub.

• All nest devices may be integrated with HomeKit. In other words, you won’t be constrained to using HomeKit-certified smart home devices anymore. You can use HomeKit to operate all of Google Nest’s devices, including Nest Secure, Nest Camera, Nest Protect, and Nest Hello.
• The Starling Hub is the simplest to set up of the bunch. No need to deal with complex instructions, plugins, etc. It does exactly what it claims it will and does it well.
• Setting up and forgetting about the Hub is simple. Except for firmware upgrades, your devices are always connected every now and then.
• It is consistent with Apple’s privacy policies. It also doesn’t gather any private information, such as login passwords or monitor your network for any suspicious activity. The Starling Hub is so worried about privacy that it doesn’t even use a cloud-based system.
• Both Nest and Google accounts are supported, as well as two-step verification.
• Even the most modern routers may be used with this Homebridge hub.
• All Apple gadgets produced in the previous five years are supported by the Starling Home Hub, including Apple Watches. As a result, you don’t have to be concerned about compatibility concerns.

How to Set Up Starling Home Hub For Nest Thermostat?

As previously said, connecting your Nest Thermostat to your Homebridge device is simple and takes just a few minutes.

Unpack your Starling Hub and attach it to your network router or switch with the included ethernet connection to get things going. When it comes to WiFi networks, both HomeKit and Nest utilize the same one. Be sure to connect your Hub’s power connection to a nearby wall outlet.

Type “setup.starlinghome.io” (without the quotes) into the address bar and press enter on your WiFi-enabled phone or computer.

After that, just follow the on-screen directions to link your Nest account with Apple HomeKit. Only a few minutes are needed for this.

You can utilize two-factor authentication to access the Hub if you’re curious. Your Nest Learning Thermostat or Nest Thermostat E should now be listed on your Home app.

Have trouble pairing your Thermostat with HomeKit? Read our quick-start tutorial to make sure you did everything correctly.

What Can You Do with HomeKit Integration for Nest Thermostat?

The thermostat and several temperature sensors may be controlled by Starling Home Hub, giving you complete command over your home’s cooling, heating, and humidity.

With both the Nest Learning thermostat and the E, it can be used to control your thermostat. Note that it is compatible with both the US and EU thermostat models.

• Say, “Hey Siri, adjust the thermostat to 65 degrees” to get the job done.
• Say, “Hey Siri, set thermostat to cool” to activate the cooling mode.
• Siri may be used to switch the interior blower fan of your HVAC system between the ON and AUTO settings simply saying so.
• Siri may be asked to adjust the humidity level in your room to the desired value.
• Siri may be used to activate the “Eco Mode” on your thermostat.
• Siri can tell you the temperature of a certain room.
• Set up thermostat-related automation to make your life easier.
• Siri may be used to adjust the temperature of your hot water.

Control Nest Thermostat With Siri

As soon as I discovered that the Nest Thermostat was now compatible with Siri, I was giddy with excitement about the possibilities.

I can now check the thermostat’s status on my phone, but I can also ask Siri to check the temperature for me, and she does just that. The temperature may also be adjusted by you.

You may even ask Siri to modify the thermostat setting based on how hot or cold you feel. You just need to ask Sir to put your Thermostat in one of the pre-programmed settings, such as hot or cold.

On the other hand, you may have her switch between ON and AUTO settings on the inside blower fans if you wish to circulate the heated or cooled air more quickly.

In addition, Siri can trigger scenes. The options are virtually limitless at this point. Using the Home app, I can create scenarios for when I’m feeling a bit chilly or when the air is a little stale in the summer.

And I don’t have to lift a finger to make any adjustments to my thermostat’s settings since I can just ask Siri to do it for me.

Scenes may be used to adjust the thermostat settings based on changes in the weather, such as connecting the Nest thermostat to a weather station. If it’s raining where you live, try lowering the humidity and raising the temperature a little.

Setting the timer for when you get up or go to sleep is another example of this kind of habit.

If it turns cold at night, you’ll want to make sure you’re warm all night long.

Leaving the house may be made easier by having Siri turn off the heater/air conditioner and turn it back on when you return.

Using Siri with a HomeKit-enabled Nest Thermostat is just the beginning; there is no limit to what you can accomplish with these simple examples and your new HomeKit-enabled thermostat.

Best Homekit Thermostat

In my circumstance, Homebridge was the most practical choice to make available to all of us for myself and others.

This is the best option if you want to use the Nest Thermostat with HomeKit.

As an alternative, a Smart Thermostat that works with HomeKit right out of the box would be a simple and straightforward choice. I’d suggest the Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat if that’s what you want.

Nest HomeKit Code

When connecting accessories to HomeKit, you’ll need the eight-digit pairing code that comes with each one.

An insoluble challenge, although not an insurmountable one, arises when the device’s code is lost, or the accessory is missing a code.

It’s a pain to add the device to the Home app.

The Nest Thermostat does not have a HomeKit code since it does not support HomeKit.

You could be perplexed about how to make it a part of HomeKit. There is no need to fret, as the Starling Smart Hub will generate a unique QR code for you during the setup process that you can use to link the Nest Thermostat to the Home App on your iPhone and begin using it immediately.

Is Your Nest Thermostat’s Privacy Protected While Using the Homebridge Hub?

Homebridge has deliberately decided not to upload any information about your network to their servers, so there is nothing more you need to worry about.

In reality, the Starling Home Hub lacks a dedicated cloud server for this function.

Even if it’s linked to your network, it can’t view your passwords or browsing history.

We can be certain that Apple customers like you and I won’t have any privacy concerns when utilizing this Hub.

Troubleshooting Nest Thermostat’s HomeKit Integration

You will make just one mistake while trying to link your Nest Thermostat with HomeKit. Fixing it is simple.

Device Not HomeKit Certified

If a gadget is being used with HomeKit but is not officially approved by Apple, it will receive this warning.

So while you’re merging your Nest Thermostat with HomeKit, you’ll get this message.

However, if you want to proceed, you may just pick “add anyhow.”

Firmware Updates for Starling Home Hub for Your Nest Thermostat

Because your Hub’s firmware is not automatically updated, you will get an update notification from Starling.

I strongly advise you to maintain your Hub up-to-date since most updates include bug fixes, new capabilities, and enhancements to the Hub’s overall stability.

iOS Version Compatibility

All iOS versions up to and including iOS 14 are compatible with the Starling Home Hub. You may use it with any Apple device you own, regardless of the model number.

Final Thoughts

Even though the Nest app works on my iPhone, I was disappointed when I bought my Nest Thermostat and learned that it does not directly interact with Apple’s HomeKit platform.

To my surprise, I connected my thermostat and other Nest devices using this basic hub device since I now know how to simply integrate them with HomeKit.

Frequently Asked Questions