How to disconnect Nest thermostat from account? Many are thinking the same thing.
Whether you want to sell it, give it away, or find one in your new home, you need to remove the thermostat from the account it’s linked to.
It takes several steps, but it’s not a complicated process.
To disconnect a Nest thermostat from an account, you must do it via the Nest or Google Home apps. Alternatively, restoring it to factory settings by manually resetting it also works.
Let’s figure it out once and for all!
Disconnect Nest Thermostat From Account – A How-to Guide
It’s essential for things to go smoothly so the device remains usable.
If you’re the original owner, it won’t be much of a problem since you have full control over the process.
However, if you inherited it, you’ll still be able to disconnect it and link it to your account.
Let’s find out how.
Why Remove Nest Thermostat from Account
For several reasons, you want to remove your Nest thermostat from its original account.
This is especially true if the device’s owner is going to change hands so that no one will have a difficult time using it.
Here are some of the most common reasons why you need to consider disconnecting your Nest thermostat:
- If you’re selling or giving it away so that the new owner can set it up on their account
- If you’re moving or relocating to set up your device in the new place
- If you’re resetting your device to help you troubleshoot any issues or errors
Step-by-Step Guide on Removing Your Thermostat
Now, let’s look at the steps on how to disconnect the Nest thermostat from account.
The process is straightforward, and you have several options depending on your access to the thermostat.
You’ll be able to remove it from the app or reset it to factory settings.
Disconnecting Nest Thermostat Using the Nest App
If you’re the owner of the Nest thermostat and used the Nest app to set it up, you’ll need to use the same one to remove it from your account.
You must remove it via the original app you used to set it up, so you’ll be able to detect the device.
To disconnect the thermostat using the Nest app, follow these steps:
- Launch the Nest app on your phone.
- Tap the Settings gear icon.
- Select the thermostat you want to remove.
- Scroll down and tap Remove Thermostat Name.
- Select Confirm.
Note: Wait for a confirmation message that tells you your device is removed from your account.
Once you get the confirmation message, you’ll be able to sell it or give it away to someone you know, confident they’ll be able to set it up in no time.
Disconnecting the Thermostat Using the Google Home App
Two apps support Nest devices after Google purchased the company.
You’ve likely set it up on the app if you use Google Home as your smart home hub.
If this is the case, you must remove the thermostat on this app.
To remove the thermostat on the Google Home app, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Home app on your device.
- Tap on hold the Thermostat tile.
- Select the Settings menu.
- Tap Remove Device.
- Select Remove to confirm.
Tip: If you’ve set up your Nest thermostat on the Google Home app, you won’t be able to see it on the Nest app, that’s why you need to remember the app you used to add it.
Resetting Your Thermostat Before Removing From Account
Both instances above are about removing your thermostat and setting it up yourself.
However, there are cases when you’ve moved to a new home only to find out that there’s a Nest thermostat on the wall.
Since you won’t be able to remove it through an app, you’ll have to do it manually.
To reset your thermostat to factory defaults, follow these steps:
- Press the ring on the thermostat to open the Quick View menu.
- Touch the Settings menu.
- Go to the Reset option.
- Select Factory Reset.
- Hold the ring for 10 seconds.
- Release the ring and wait for the thermostat to reset.
If the Nest thermostat is hardwired to your home’s electrical and HVAC system, it should turn on and work even if it’s not disconnected from its original account.
Important: Resetting your thermostat to factory settings means all the configuration and data will be erased, but you’ll be able to set it up on your account.
Setting Up the Thermostat to New Owner’s Account
After removing the thermostat from its original account, you will need to set it up again so you’ll be able to use it.
As long as it’s removed correctly or reset to factory settings, you’ll have no problems detecting it on the Nest or Google Home apps.
To set up the Nest thermostat to an account, follow these steps:
On the Nest App:
- Open the Nest app and sign in to your account.
- Tap the + button in the top right corner of the app.
- Select the Add Product option.
- Choose the Nest thermostat model you have.
- Wait for the app to detect your thermostat.
- Connect it to your home’s WiFi via the app.
- Finalize adding the thermostat to your account.
On the Google Home app:
- Launch the Google Home app on your device.
- Tap the + button on the top left corner of the app.
- Tap Set Up Device.
- Select the Works with Google button.
- Search for Nest and select it.
- Tap Link Account.
- Enter your Nest account logins and select Sign In.
- Choose the thermostat you want to add to Google Home.
- Tap Continue to finish the setup process.
The advantage of connecting your thermostat to the Google Home app is that you’ll be able to use it with Google Assistant and voice commands.
Tip: Alternatively, you can use the QR code method, where all you need to do is scan the code, which will streamline the setup process for you.
Account and Data Management After Disconnection
Of course, there will be functions you won’t be able to use once you disconnect your Nest thermostat from the account.
However, this is all temporary since it’s simply a way for you to transfer ownership of the device.
One of the things that you need to do after removing the thermostat from your account is to check if you have any active subscriptions.
If you’re changing thermostat brands, you need to cancel them.
Here’s how to do it:
- Log in to your Nest account.
- Go to the Nest Subscription Management tab.
- Choose the home with the subscription you want to cancel.
- Select the Subscription you wish to cancel.
- Select Cancel Subscription.
- Tap Cancel Subscription again to confirm.
Note: Subscriptions you can cancel include Nest Aware and Nest Energy, depending on if you’ve signed up for them.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Even though the entire removal process is straightforward, it doesn’t mean you won’t face problems.
You’ll likely face many potential issues, especially if the thermostat has not been used for some time.
However, most of these are not serious enough to warrant getting a professional to redo your home’s wiring.
Unable to Reset or Remove Your Nest Thermostat
If you see an error message or a frozen screen when removing or resetting your device, it’s likely due to a temporary glitch or a network issue.
To resolve this, you need to restart your device.
Here’s how you do it:
- Press and hold down the ring button for 10 seconds.
- Wait for the screen to turn off and release the ring.
- Wait for at least 2 minutes before turning it on.
- Press the ring again to switch the thermostat on.
Unable to Reconnect or Set Up the Thermostat
If you’re having trouble setting up your Nest, there’s a problem with the QR code method.
It’s certainly more convenient than the manual method. However, it’s prone to issues when it cannot read the code properly.
Here’s how to fix this:
- Clean your camera lens so it detects the QR code better.
- Move to a brighter place before scanning the QR code.
- Perform the setup process manually, as stated in the steps above.
Tip: Consider updating the Nest or Google Home app before attempting the removal or setup process.
If you continue to experience any of these problems while disconnecting and setting up the Nest thermostat, we recommend contacting Nest Support for technical assistance.
Conclusion
To disconnect Nest thermostat from account, you need to do it on the app where you first set it up.
It’s not usually a problem if you did it, but if you’re getting a Nest thermostat with your home, reset it first so you’ll be able to add it to your account and use it.
Visit our blog for more troubleshooting and how-to guides forNest thermostats and other relevant devices!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.