Nov 05, 2025
3 min read
Community firmware project gives early Nest Learning Thermostat owners a second chance at remote control and smart features after Google shuts down
A community-created firmware project is giving early Nest Learning Thermostat owners a second chance at remote control and smart features after Google ended cloud support for first- and second-generation models.
The alternative software, developed by computer scientist Cody Kociemba and released under the "No Longer Evil" banner, is in an alpha state, but is now available to adventurous users who want to flash their devices and reconnect them to a new non-Google server.
It's an unusually quick turnaround for a fan effort, and it speaks to the size of the audience behind Life's Decisions.Smart thermostats are one of the most popular types of connected homes.
What does the firmware do to restore remote services?
Now, Evil cannot replace the thermostat's stock software with its own bootloader and kernel, telling the device to call home somewhere other than Google.
On the Backend, the value side of the NUSTEDED API is the API that repeats the original behavior of the cloud and allows people to modify the web.
On the thermostat side, things are pretty much the same.He “thinks” he is approaching the mothership he has always known.For the user, the important variation is that the path for remote access is routed through the No Longer Evil infrastructure.
Kociemba said the source code for the firmware and backend is on the way, emphasizing transparency and, in the future, possible hosting.He is also considering a mobile app.
Why at the end of the cloud is very old
The sunset of cloud support for older thermostats is more like a nuisance;It is a warning sign about the vulnerability of associated hardware when critical functionality depends on remote services.
Searches from companies like the rest and Contersta show SMRMUSTAT STRMS Dozens of families of buildings, the means of saving energy, comfort and security.
While this isn't the first rodeo the smart home community has faced (where corporate transitions have resulted in disruptions or platforms or hubs have lost functionality or been shut down), there have been community-led solutions to the shutdown and, in some cases, official revivals under new management.The difference here is the speed and technical depth of third-party firmware solutions that aim to restore basic usable functionality in one fell swoop.
How it works and what you need to keep it safe
Owners of primary and secondary learning sites can follow the steps of the project to download their devices and contact the exchange service:
- Download the firmware and follow the leader of the program to connect.
- Connect the thermostat to your computer via USB and run the custom download components.
- to create an account on the wrong and add the thermostat to complete the pipe.
This is not a one-click update.Users should allow time for setup, ensure constant power and a reliable network connection to the device, and understand the recovery steps if something goes wrong.The project is in testing, and the developer is not afraid not to rely on users as the only control path in complex environments.The thermostat can be controlled via device controls, but any remote access and extended smart functions depend on the new layer.
Risks, Privacy and Warranty Advice for Users
Firmware Lite is unusual and carries some risk: with incorrect instructions the device can be bricked, the rest of the battery is used.
In terms of privacy and security, there is a reliance on third-party services and how it is time to consult them.
Consumer advocates and digital rights organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation have argued for years to fix digital products and software for long-term use.Projects like this highlight a growing trend: when reliance on the cloud fails, owners want a clean way to work with hardware products.If the original company or vendor does not offer it, then community engineering does, but puts more responsibility on the user.
Kociemba said the full firmware release could return to production and bring more experience to the first Nest systems.However, they cannot hold official positions.There are some parts that aren't, but I want people to do things like this, do fun things, do fun things, do fun things, do fun things, do fun things, do fun things, do fun things, do fun things.Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
What will happen next to the project and Nest's former owners?
Kociehmu said that it is fully integrated with cosmetics and the police in a short time, giving permission to self-immerse servers and to analyze more security measures.If he or others are manual tools, the change may be very close to the real experience of the village, but it is doubtful that there will be a legal connection.
Now, I'd say that No Longer Evil provides respite for older Nest users who aren't quite ready to deal with perfectly acceptable hardware. The overwhelming conclusion is that the original vision of smart homes was for these things to function as long as possible. Without it, smart homes will fall victim to the whims of third parties. It shows that there's no need to remove intelligence from the smart home when the trademark login is no longer active, and that the classic thermostat should continue to function for another year thanks toto the technical efforts of the team.
