Yes, Alexa can control a Nest thermostat, with voice and app commands after a quick Google Nest link or Matter setup.
Smart homes work best when devices talk to each other. If you use Echo speakers and a Nest, you want simple voice control. This guide shows what works today, how to connect it, and where the limits sit so you can set temperature by voice with confidence.
Can Alexa Control A Nest Thermostat? Setup Snapshot
The short answer is yes for current Nest models. Two paths exist. Most homes link the Google Nest account to the Alexa app with the Google Nest skill. Newer hardware, like the 2020 Nest Thermostat and the latest Learning Thermostat, can also join Alexa through Matter. Google documents the Alexa link inside the Home app under Partner Connections, and it exposes mode changes like Heat, Cool, Heat•Cool, and Eco through voice. If you’re asking, “Can Alexa control a Nest thermostat?” the answer is yes across supported models.
Alexa Control For Nest Thermostat — What Works Today
Alexa can set a target temperature, switch modes, switch to Eco Temperature, and read back the current inside reading. Google’s support notes list those modes, and the Alexa Thermostat API defines the values Alexa understands, so the two systems map cleanly. On the whole, basic heating and cooling control lands right away once you finish account linking or Matter pairing.
There are a few limits. Some users report that fan controls don’t always show up in every setup, and certain states like Emergency Heat or an active Emergency Shutoff block remote changes. If your thermostat falls into one of those states, Alexa may refuse the command until the condition clears.
If you own early Nest units, plan for a change. Google announced the end of app support for the first- and second-generation Learning Thermostats on October 25, 2025; manual control stays, but Alexa control goes away. Newer models remain supported.
How To Link Nest To Alexa Step By Step
Quick check: Make sure your Nest is added in the Google Home app and working locally. Google lists the Alexa link under Partner Connections inside Home settings.
- Open Alexa — Launch the Alexa app on your phone.
- Find The Google Nest Skill — Tap More → Skills & Games → Search, then type “Google Nest.”
- Enable And Sign In — Tap Enable To Use, sign in with the Google account that owns the thermostat, and allow permissions.
- Discover Devices — When prompted, run discovery so Alexa adds the thermostat to your device list.
- Place It In A Group — Add the thermostat to the right room so nearby Echo speakers know which one to control.
Google’s help center shows the exact Partner Connections path for the integration, and the same page confirms which modes you can switch by voice.
What You Can Ask Alexa
- Set The Temperature — “Alexa, set the thermostat to 70.”
- Change The Mode — “Alexa, set the thermostat to Heat,” “Cool,” or “Heat and Cool.”
- Switch To Eco — “Alexa, set the thermostat to Eco.”
- Check The Current Temp — “Alexa, what’s the thermostat temperature?”
These requests line up with the mode list in Google’s help docs and the Alexa ThermostatController spec. If a command fails, check for states like Off, Eco, or Emergency Heat that can block changes.
Matter Support And When You Can Skip The Skill
Why use Matter: The 2020 Nest Thermostat was the first Google Nest device to gain Matter. That lets you add it directly to Alexa without a separate cloud skill on supported Echo hubs. Pairing is local and actions feel snappy.
Newer Learning Thermostat hardware also advertises Matter on retail pages, pointing to the same broad platform control once set up in the Google Home app. If you go this route, finish initial setup in Google Home, then add the thermostat to Alexa using the Matter pairing code.
Not every Nest ever made speaks Matter. If your model predates the 2020 Nest Thermostat or the latest Learning Thermostat, use the Google Nest skill path instead. Google’s help pages remain the source of truth for supported modes and the exact Alexa connection steps.
Model Compatibility And Caveats
This table sums up present-day Alexa control across common Nest models.
| Model | Works With Alexa | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nest Thermostat (2020) | Yes | Supports Matter; can join Alexa directly or via Google Nest skill. |
| Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd/4th gen) | Yes | Alexa control via skill; newer hardware advertises Matter on retail pages. |
| Nest Thermostat E | Yes | Alexa control via Google Nest skill. Modes include Heat, Cool, Heat•Cool, Eco. |
| Nest Learning Thermostat (1st/2nd gen) | Ending | App and cloud support end Oct 25, 2025; Alexa control ends with it. Manual control stays. |
Troubleshooting Alexa–Nest Control
Start with basics: Confirm the Nest shows the right room and name in both Google Home and Alexa. Mismatched names can confuse voice routing on nearby speakers.
- Check Account Linking — If commands stop working, open the Alexa app → Devices → Thermostats → your Nest, and verify the Google Nest skill still shows “Linked.”
- Re-discover Devices — Remove the thermostat in Alexa, then run device discovery to rebuild the link.
- Clear Problem States — Off mode, Eco Temperature already active, Emergency Heat, or an Emergency Shutoff can block changes. Exit those states on the thermostat, then try again.
- Mind Wi-Fi And Hubs — For Matter control, pair through a supported Echo hub and stay within range. If you use the skill path, a steady internet link is still required.
- Watch Legacy Models — If you own a first- or second-gen Learning Thermostat, app support ends Oct 25, 2025, which removes Alexa control. Plan to upgrade.
Skill Link Vs. Matter Pairing
Which path should you pick? If your thermostat supports Matter, start there. If it doesn’t, the Google Nest skill remains a steady option, and Google’s help page walks through the exact permissions and modes that Alexa supports.
Energy And Scheduling Notes
Alexa handles core temperature and mode changes, while Nest continues to run schedules, Eco Temperature, and Home/Away routines on its side. That division is a good thing. You can keep Nest’s energy-saving logic while using voice for daily tweaks. Modes listed by Google—Heat, Cool, Heat•Cool, and Eco—match the Alexa API, so routine steps line up cleanly.
If you own multiple Echos, target the right room or the device name in your command. Saying “set the thermostat to 68 in the bedroom” reduces collisions when you have more than one Nest across zones. Grouping is your friend; it keeps voice control natural.
When Alexa Can’t See Your Nest
- Reboot The Thermostat — Power cycle at the breaker or via the device menu to clear stale sessions.
- Update Both Apps — Install current versions of Google Home and Alexa, then retry the link. Google’s support flow relies on the latest app paths.
- Check Wi-Fi — For cloud control, a weak connection delays responses. For Matter, keep the Echo hub within a room or two of the thermostat for steady packets.
- Relink Permissions — Disable the Google Nest skill, enable again, and accept all requested toggles so Alexa can read and change modes.
Compatibility Reality Check
Nest thermostats support most 24-volt systems, but edge cases exist. Before buying, run Google’s online compatibility checker, then confirm whether you want a Matter-capable model or the Learning Thermostat’s auto-programming. Either way, Alexa control is available once the thermostat is in the Google Home app and linked or paired.
If you’re coming from a first- or second-gen Learning Thermostat, be aware of the October 25, 2025 date. Those models keep manual control but lose app access, schedules, and voice. If you depend on Alexa for accessibility, upgrade sooner so you can migrate routines at your own pace.
Real-World Tips For Alexa And Nest
Use groups for natural language. Put the thermostat in the same Alexa room as your most-used Echo. Then “set it to 68” works without naming the device. Keep temperature units consistent across apps. If you want hands-free at bedtime, add a Routine that sets Heat or Heat•Cool and a target setpoint with one phrase. The Alexa and Nest mode lists match, so routines stay predictable.
If you care about local control, pick hardware that supports Matter and pair it directly to Alexa. Google announced Matter for the 2020 Nest Thermostat and moved more gear to the standard over time, which helps even if one cloud goes down.
The exact phrase “Can Alexa control a Nest thermostat?” still matters to shoppers, so two fast facts to keep handy: first, yes, you can link through the Google Nest skill in minutes; second, newer models add a direct Matter path. If you meet either path, voice control lands solidly across daily heating and cooling.