How To Lock Nest Thermostat From App? (Best Methods)

Want to know how to lock Nest thermostat from app? We’re here to help.

Locking your Nest thermostat will give you more control and prevent unauthorized changes to your settings.

It will save you energy by keeping your thermostat at a predictable range.

To lock your Nest thermostat with the app, go to your Settings and select the Lock option. Enter your 4-digit PIN and set a temperature range, especially if you set your thermostat to Heat or Cool mode.

Know all about the details!

How to Lock Nest Thermostat from App – All You Need to Know

We’ll get to the nitty-gritty of locking your Nest thermostat and why it’s a good idea.

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to lock it with ease and confidence. 

Why Lock Your Nest Thermostat

There are many reasons why it’s essential to lock your Nest thermostat.

It’s not just about setting your thermostat to a suitable temperature range, as there are effects that you’ll enjoy.

Here are some of them:

• Save energy and money: You’ll be able to prevent unwanted changes to your temperature settings that waste energy and increase your bills.
• Protect your privacy and security: Locking your thermostat prevents unauthorized access to information stored on the device.
• Have more control: You will better control who has access to your device and your home’s energy usage. 

Tip: By locking your thermostat, even those with physical access to your device won’t be able to change the settings.

Compatibility to Lock Nest Thermostat from App

Before you go ahead and attempt to lock your Nest thermostat using the app, you first want to make sure that it’s compatible.

Not all devices support these features, as it’s only available for certain models.

If you have these models, you’ll be able to lock your thermostat:

1. Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd and 3rd generation)
2. Nest Thermostat E
3. Nest Thermostat (3rd generation)
4. Nest Thermostat with Google Assistant

You’ll also need to have these to lock your thermostat remotely:

1. The latest version of the Nest app
2. The newest version of the Google Home app
3. Nest web account

Note: If you have an older thermostat that’s not on this list, you’ll still be able to lock it manually on the device itself, but it’s less convenient and secure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Lock Thermostat from the App

Now that you know it’s a good idea and you’re sure your thermostat supports the feature, it’s time we look at how to lock Google Nest thermostat via the app.

Let’s get into the step-by-step guide so you don’t encounter issues.

The good news is that the process is straightforward and should take approximately five minutes to complete.

1. Open the Nest app on your device.
2. Select the thermostat that you want to lock.
3. Go to the Settings icon in the top right.
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and tap the Lock option.
5. Enter a 4-digit PIN code, then tap Next.
6. Set a temperature range if your thermostat is in Heat or Cool mode.
7. Drag the slider to set the minimum and maximum temperatures.
8. Tap Lock when you’re done.

Important: Remember your 4-digit PIN code, as you’ll need to enter that again when you want to unlock your thermostat.

Other Methods to Lock Your Thermostat with the App

Locking your thermostat using the Nest app is one way to do it.

Other methods also make it more convenient and give you better versatility depending on what you have access to.

However, these do require different apps and going through more advanced settings.

How to Lock Google Nest Thermostat with the Google Home App

Since Google acquired Nest, their devices are also supported on the Google Home app to give you better access to your smart home system.

It also opens up many possibilities, like setting up your thermostat with routines and voice commands.

With this integration and support in mind, you can lock your Nest thermostat with the Google Home app.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Google Home app on your device.
2. Select the Nest thermostat you want to lock.
3. Tap on the Settings gear icon.
4. Scroll down and tap Lock.
5. Enter a 4-digit PIN.
6. Select Next.
7. Set your temperatures if you’re locking in Heat or Cool mode.
8. Tap Lock to confirm.

Tip: You won’t be able to lock your thermostat if it’s currently set to Eco Temperatures.

Locking Your Thermostat by Setting Up a Schedule on the App

Another method to lock your thermostat from the app is by setting up a schedule.

It’s a feature that automatically lets you set your thermostat to adjust its temperature and mode according to your habits.

Doing this allows you to set up a schedule where you lock your thermostat at certain times, especially when you’re away from home or at work.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Open the Nest app on your phone.
2. Choose your thermostat from the device list.
3. Select the Schedule option.
4. Tap on Add.
5. Choose a Time and Day for your schedule.
6. Select a Temperature and Mode.
7. Tap Lock and input your 4-digit PIN.
8. Select Save.

Note: If your schedule is predictable, you’ll be able to repeat these same steps and create points throughout the week.

Locking Your Thermostat with Geofencing

Setting up geofencing is a different method that allows you to lock your Nest thermostat with the app.

It’s a feature that uses your device’s location to determine whether you’re home and adjust your thermostat’s settings accordingly.

With geofencing, you can lock your thermostat when you leave home and unlock it as soon as you arrive.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Open the Nest app on your phone.
2. Choose your thermostat from the list.
3. Tap on the Settings gear.
4. Scroll down and select Home/Away Assist.
5. Tap on the What Decides If You’re Home.
6. Select the Use Phone Location option.
7. Turn on Location Services.

At this point, you’ve enabled geofencing for your thermostat.

To lock it with geofencing, follow these steps:

1. Select Eco Temperatures since it will be used when you’re away from home.
2. Tap on Lock.
3. Enter your 4-digit PIN.
4. Tap Save.

Note: Once this is set and enabled, your thermostat will automatically lock on Eco mode and unlock when you arrive home.

Using the Web App to Lock Your Thermostat

Although this method is not technically using the app on your phone, it still uses the web app, which comes in handy whenever you’re in a bind and don’t have the necessary access.

On the website, you’ll be able to change your thermostat’s settings.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open a web browser on your computer or laptop.
2. Sign in using your Nest account.
3. Choose your thermostat from the list.
4. Click on Settings.
5. Select the Lock option.
6. Enter a 4-digit PIN.
7. Click Lock to confirm.

Note: After locking your thermostat with a PIN, no one will be able to change the settings, even if they have access to your device.

Unlocking Your Nest Thermostat

Now that you have secured your Nest thermostat and set it up so that only you can change the settings, it’s time to unlock it.

This is where the PIN comes into play, as you will need it to access your thermostat’s settings.

To unlock your thermostat, follow these steps:

1. Open the Nest app on your device.
2. Choose the thermostat you want to unlock.
3. Select the Settings gear icon.
4. Tap the Unlock option.
5. Type the 4-digit PIN you used to lock the thermostat.
6. Tap Unlock.

Security and Privacy Concerns with Locking Your Thermostat

Locking your thermostat from the app is an excellent way to save energy and money, as well as improve your security and privacy.

However, there are limitations that you need to be aware of when you decide to lock your thermostat.

• Your PIN code is not encrypted, making accessing your device easy.
• Your PIN is not synced across your devices. Instead, it’s different for each thermostat.
• Your PIN code is not backed up, making it difficult to retrieve if you forget it.
• Your PIN code is not protected from brute force attacks.
• Your location data is shared with Google, especially if you activated location services.

Note: Most of these aren’t concerns if you’re simply locking your thermostat so no one can change the settings whenever you’re not around.

If you need more guidance on how to lock your Nest thermostat, contact Nest support for assistance.

Conclusion

Now you know how to lock Nest thermostat from app, you should have better control over your devices. All you need to do is open the app, set your thermostat to lock, and enter a PIN so no one can change your settings.

For more guides and troubleshooting steps regarding your Nest devices, visit our blog!