Second Nest Thermostat Won’t Connect To App? – Fix Guide

What to do when the second nest thermostat won’t connect to app? That is annoying because the Nest app is supposed to support multiple devices simultaneously. 

When the second Nest thermostat won’t connect to the app, it happens due to software issues. Thus the solution is to update everything. Further, check the distance and the quality of your connection.

As you can see, solving this issue will require plenty of patience. After all, the issue itself should not be happening.

Due to that, there are a few different solutions you can try. But, unfortunately, each requires a few steps and a lot of trying.

Second Nest Thermostat Won’t Connect To App – Reasons

Many customers that buy multiple Nest thermostats complain that the nest app won’t connect to the Nest thermostat.

That is usually regarding the additional devices. Adding the first device goes fine, but the app fails to recognize the others.

Why is that?

There is no official reason behind that, but only the aggregate of experiences of frustrated users. 

As always in our guides, we advise you to read the causes and then proceed to check the solutions. That will provide you with a full diagnosis of the situation.

Some possible causes are:

✅ Incorrect Wi-Fi Settings

The thermostat needs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the device you use to control it. 

✅ Firmware Issues

If the thermostat’s firmware is out of date, it may not be able to connect to the app.

✅ App Update Issues

Perhaps your app is still functioning with the already connected device but won’t recognize a new one unless you update it.

✅ Limited Network Connectivity

If the thermostat is too far from the router or there is a lot of interference in the area, it may not be able to connect to the app. 

✅ Too Much Distance

In this case, it is related to the distance between the Nest devices. They must be close to each other to connect correctly to the app.

✅ Account Issues

Ensure you’re using the same account for both thermostats.

✅Hardware Issues

Perhaps the problem is not the device being the second thermostat, but it simply has a malfunction.

Connecting The Second Nest Thermostat To The App

Now it is time we dive into how to add another Nest thermostat to the app with all the issues in mind.

If you don’t have any problem connecting, then the solutions above will not do much for you in terms of teaching you how to connect.

They aim at solving problems, not being a general guide for the Nest! We will start with simple solutions and then suggest other, more laborious ones.

We hope that, in the end, you get your second thermostat to work just fine.

Method #1: Update Nest’s Firmware

The simplest solution to ensure your Nest thermostat is at full capacity to act as your second thermostat is updating it.

Sometimes its factory firmware version is incompatible with the app version you are using. That alone can cause a lot of trouble.

So here is how you can update your Nest thermostat without the app:

1. Find the home screen on the Nest
2. Choose Settings
3. Click on Update or Version
4. Now select Update

Note: "Update" and "Version" are variants according to your Nest thermostat. If no option is available, your thermostat has a deeper software issue. 

Method #2: Update The Nest/Google Home App

As you might be aware, Nest thermostats can connect to two different apps according to your preferences.

Those are the Nest dedicated app and Google Home.

The Google Home app is useful if you have multiple Google smart devices and want to integrate them into a cohesive system.

In any situation, the lack of communication between the app and the device can be caused by an outdated app.

For example, you might find it weird that your app still communicates with your preowned devices.

That is because they were set up before, and the connection was kept.  However, the outdated app might not recognize a new device with more recent firmware.

Apps are set to update automatically, but that might fail. You must check if your app needs an update.

Check For Updates On Your Phone

The steps below are the same for both Android and iPhone. 

1. Open the AppStore/PlayStore
2. Tap your profile icon
3. Go to Manage apps & device
4. You will see “update available” for Nest/Google Home if there are any
5. Choose to Update

After the Update is complete, your second Nest thermostat must connect correctly.

Method #3: Check Network Connectivity

First of all, ensure you connect the Nest thermostat to the same network as your smartphone.

To do that, check your smartphone’s Wi-Fi connections and note the name it is connected to.

Next:

1. Press the Nest’s ring 
2. Select Settings
3. Click on Network
4. Choose to connect to the same Wi-Fi your phone is connected to

If the Nest thermostat cannot recognize that same Wi-Fi network, it might be because it is too far away.

In that case, you must put the Nest or the router in a different place.

Method #4: Disconnect The First Unit

How to add another Nest thermostat to the app? A few specialized technicians report a trick they’ve had to perform to get multiple Nest thermostats to work in a single home.

The trick involves disconnecting the house’s original unit and adding the new one. After that, the older unit gets connected as the second unit.

There is no apparent reason why the app and the devices work like that, but they do.

How To Unpair The Thermostat

Here is how you can unpair a Nest unit from your house:

1. Open the Nest app
2. Go to Settings
3. Select your device
4. Choose to Remove Thermostat

Reset The Thermostat

Removing it is sometimes not enough, and you will have to reset your old thermostat.

Yes, the connection bugs go that far! Resetting is a bit more critical because it removes all of the Nest unit’s data.

Here is how to do it:

1. Press the thermostat’s ring
2. Go to Settings
3. Turn the ring to Reset
4. Choose the option that fully resets the device

Tip: Before you reset the device, note down its settings! That way, it will be easier to set everything again later.

Method #5: Create A New “Home” For The Unit

Creating a new home simply for a different Nest unit is not the optimal solution you are looking for.

After all, the devices will not be considered working together since they are virtually managing different houses.

However, that is a solution that works when you live in a huge house, and the app simply doesn’t allow you to add two Nest units to a home.

Here is what you must do:

1. Go to Menu
2. Click on Add
3. Choose a name for the new home
4. Enter its address
5. Follow the prompts

Now it is time to see if the method works:

1. Find the home you just created
2. Tap to see its Settings
3. Click on Add product
4. Add your second Nest unit

Note: Perhaps you don't live in a huge house. But the solution is worth trying nonetheless!

What We Learned

When the Second Nest Thermostat Won’t Connect To the App, you can do a few things.

Most of them are software-related, but at other times you can try managing the position of your thermostats or even the router to bring them closer.

Whatever you try, the guide above has enough to help you connect multiple Nest thermostats successfully.