Want to control your Nest thermostat using voice commands? By linking your Amazon Alexa account to your Nest thermostat(s), you can easily control the temperature in your home via Alexa.
Once this connection is made, you can check the current temperature and thermostat target temperature or change the temperature – all without ever having to launch the Nest app!
Also read: How to Create, Edit, and Delete Reminders on Google Nest
What you’ll need
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to install the Alexa mobile app (available for Android and iOS) and Nest mobile app (available for Android and iOS) on your smartphone. You’ll also need to ensure you’ve logged in to both applications.
Note: for this tutorial, we’re using the Amazon Alexa and Nest applications for iPhone, but the steps should be largely the same for Android users.
Migrate your Nest account to a Google account
Before you can link Alexa to Nest, you’ll need to migrate your Nest account to a Google account.
You can check the status of your Nest account by launching the Nest application on smartphone. Tap the Settings cog in the upper-right corner.
You should now look for “Migrate to a Google Account” option. If you don’t see this option, then congratulations, you’ve already migrated your account and can move on to the next step! However, if you do see a “Migrate … ” option, then give it a tap and read the disclaimer.
If you’re happy to proceed, click “Continue with Google” and select the Google Account you want to use. You can now review the various privacy policies and the terms and conditions. If you’re still happy to proceed, tap “Done.” Google will now migrate your account.
Enable the Google Nest skill for Amazon Alexa
Alexa communicates with Nest via the Google Nest skill, so you’ll need to enable it:
1. Launch the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Along the bottom of the app, tap the “Devices” tab.
3. Tap “Your Smart Home Skills -> Enable Smart Home Skills.”
4. Search for “Google Nest.”
5. When the Google Nest skill appears, give it a tap.
6. Tap “Enable to Use.”
7. When prompted, log in to your Amazon Alexa account.
8. On the subsequent screen, grant Alexa access to your home’s information.
9. Alexa will now list all the Nest devices you can connect to your Amazon Alexa account.
10. Read the disclaimer, and if you’re happy to proceed, tap “Next.”
11. Select the Google account you want to link to Alexa.
12. Grant Amazon Alexa permission to link to your selected Google account and permission to control your Nest devices.
13. Google Nest and Amazon Alexa are now successfully connected.
Also read: How to Watch Netflix On Nest Hub
Discover devices: scanning for your Nest thermostats
At this point, your Nest and Alexa accounts are connected. However, Amazon Alexa still needs to discover your individual Nest devices.
Amazon Alexa should prompt you to discover devices automatically, but if it doesn’t, you can trigger a scan manually:
1. Along the bottom of the Amazon Alexa app, tap “Devices.”
2. Tap “Thermostats.” You should now see all the Nest thermostats that are connected to your network.
3. Tap each device you want to link to Alexa.
After adding all your Nest devices, tap the “Devices” tab followed by “All Devices.” Your Nest devices should now appear in this list.
Control Nest using any Alexa device
Once you’ve connected your Nest and your Alexa, you can communicate with your smart thermostats using voice commands. Here are a few ways you can control Nest from any Alexa-enabled device:
1. Monitor your home remotely
You can check the temperature of your home via any Alexa-enabled device, including your smartphone. To retrieve this information, ask: “Alexa, what’s the temperature in (thermostat name).”
Alexa will then announce the temperature in the room specified. If you’re using an Echo Show, this information will also be displayed onscreen.
When interacting with your Nest, you’ll need to use the thermostat’s exact name. If your Nest is called “Master bedroom,” then asking “Alexa, what’s the temperature in the bedroom?” isn’t going to cut it.
If you need a reminder, the Amazon Alexa app displays the names of all your Nest devices. To retrieve this information, launch the Alexa app, tap “Devices” and then select “Thermostats.” You should see a list of all your connected devices.
2. Check the thermostat settings
Can’t remember what temperature your thermostat is set to? You can drop in on your thermostat at any time using the command: “Alexa, what temperature is my (thermostat name) set to?” Alexa will respond with: “The heat is set to (degrees).”
If you’re using an Echo Show, this information will also appear onscreen. The Echo Show also displays arrows that you can use to increase or decrease the thermostat’s temperature.
3. Alexa, make my home warmer
Amazon Alexa doesn’t just monitor your Nest thermostats – you can also use it to control your thermostats by increasing and decreasing the temperature. For example, you can say:
- “Alexa, decrease/increase the (thermostat name) temperature.” Alexa will then change the target temperature by a single degree.
- “Alexa, increase the (thermostat name) by X degrees.” Alexa will now change the temperature by the specified amount.
- “Alexa, make my (thermostat name) colder/warmer.” Alexa will change the temperature by a single degree in the specified direction.
Other than connecting your Nest to Alexa, you can also control your Ring doorbell and Spotify/Apple Music with Alexa.
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