Does Google Nest Work With HomeKit? There’s A Catch

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Nest thermostats are one of the best on the market and while I was renovating my home, I decided to invest in the Nest learning thermostat for my Homekit ecosystem. 

Although it doesn’t come with native Homekit compatibility, I already knew that Google, Apple, and Amazon were teaming up to create a platform called Matter. 

Their goal is to make it easier for your devices to work together, even if they’re made by different companies. 

Since eventually, I thought Nest will get native functionality, I wasn’t worried about setting it up in my home.

However, to my surprise, when Google rolled out matter compatibility for its products, Nest thermostats were not a part of it. 

It was a little sad, but I already had a few Nest products connected to my Homekit using a workaround that only took me a few minutes to set up. 

Since it was working perfectly, I had nothing to complain about. 

Some Google Nest devices like the Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Hub 1st and 2nd gen, and the Nest Hub Max work with Homekit natively. For other products, you have to set up a Homebridge server. The best way to do that is by using the plug-and-play Starling Home Hub.

Google Nest Products That Natively Work With Homekit

The following Google Nest Products work with Homekit using Matter:

  • Wi-Fi routers: Nest Wifi Pro (Wi-Fi 6E)
  • Speakers: Google Home, Google Home Mini, Nest Mini, Nest Audio
  • Displays: Nest Hub (1st gen), Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max

To control a Matter-enabled device with the Homekit, you need a Homepod with Thread (wireless mesh connectivity protocol very similar to Wi-Fi) that acts as a hub for Matter. 

If you have compatible devices, here’s how you can add Nest to Homekit using Matter:

Note: You should have the Nest and iCloud accounts set up. 

  • Open the Nest app on your Apple device and sign in with your Nest account.
  • Go to Settings by clicking on the icon in the top right corner of the screen.
  • Scroll down and tap on Works with Nest.
  • Click on the toggle switch next to HomeKit to enable it.
  • Now follow the prompts on the screen to start using Nest with Homekit.

For Matter-Incompatible Devices Use Homebridge For Homekit Integration

Since many Nest products like the Nest thermostat do not come with Matter compatibility, they cannot be natively used with Homekit. 

The best way to do this is by using Homebridge, a gateway server that will act like a bridge between Nest and Homekit. 

Once the process is complete, you will be able to create automations and use Siri’s voice commands to control your Nest products. 

There are two ways to set up Homebridge for Nest integration:

  1. Install the Homebridge on your laptop and use it as a server. I don’t like this method since for this, you have to keep your laptop turned on at all times. As soon as you turn the laptop off, you will lose the connection.
  2. Use a plug-and-play Homebridge device called Starling Home Hub. It specifically caters to Nest products. 

I have been using the Starling Home Hub for months now and the system works seamlessly. 

Set Up The Starling Home Hub

To set up the hub, you first need to connect it to the internet. For this, use an ethernet cable that connects the hub and the router. 

Now install the Starling app from the App Store on your iPhone. When you will start the app, it will automatically find the Home Hub and update its software. 

Once the process is complete, it will ask you to link your Nest account. As soon as you sign into your Nest account, you will be able to see all the connected Nest gear in the Starling app.

Check the items you want to connect to Homekit and click next. 

Another option is to open https://setup.starlinghome.io/ using any computer device on your home network and follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your Nest account and your Apple Home.

Set Up Nest On Apple Home

Here’s how you can set up your Nest devices to work with Homekit. 

  • Open the Apple Home app on your iPhone and click on the Add Accessory option. 
  • Click on the scan QR code option and scan the QR code on the Starling Home Hub. 

This is all you need to do to connect to Nest products in your Home. You will now be able to use your Nest products with Homekit now. 

What Can You Do With Nest-HomeKit Integration?

After completing the Nest-HomeKit integration using the Homebridge hub, you can control all your Nest devices by accessing the Home app on your Apple device.

Nest Thermostat with HomeKit

With Starling Home Hub, you can integrate your Nest Thermostat with HomeKit, and monitor/control your home’s heating, air conditioning, and/or humidifier/dehumidifier system from anywhere in the world.

It is compatible with all models of Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E (US/Canada), and Nest Thermostat E with Heat Link (UK/EU).

You can use the following commands when you are trying to access it with Siri on your Apple device:

  • Hey Siri, set the thermostat to 68 degrees.
  • Hey Siri, set the thermostat to cool.
  • Hey Siri, turn on the Living Room thermostat fan.
  • Hey Siri, set the humidity to 50%.
  • Hey Siri, turn on Eco Mode.
  • Hey Siri, what’s the temperature in the Front Room?

Nest Protect with HomeKit

The Starling Hub allows you to integrate your Nest Protect with HomeKit. This setup allows you to integrate smoke notifications, carbon monoxide notifications, motion notifications, and automation.

Nest Camera with HomeKit

Starling Home Hub is compatible with every available model of Nest camera, the original Dropcam, and the camera in the Google Nest Hub Max.

It helps you hook your Nest Camera with HomeKit, and view live video from all your cameras, with two-way audio, on any Apple device.

You can also create automations to receive notifications when it detects motion. You also receive notifications when you run iOS Shortcuts or when your camera detects specific faces (requires Nest Aware).

You can use the following commands when you are trying to access it with Siri:

  • Hey Siri, show me the Living Room Camera

Nest Secure with HomeKit

Integrating Nest Secure with HomeKit helps to arm and disarm your Nest security system from anywhere.

It also helps you check on open windows or doors using Nest Detect at a glance.

You can create automations for automatic disarms when you arrive home while keeping your home secure.

You can use the following commands when you are trying to access it with Siri:

  • Hey Siri, set my Nest Guard to away (or stay, or off)

Nest x Yale Lock with HomeKit

Using the Starling Hub to hook up your Nest x Yale Lock with HomeKit helps you lock and unlock your Nest × Yale Lock from anywhere.

You can use the following commands when you are trying to access it with Siri:

  • Hey Siri, unlock my Front Door

Google Home Mini with HomeKit

You can integrate the Google Home Mini with HomeKit using the Starling Hub and listen to music from any Apple Device on your Google Home via AirPlay.

You can even connect two Google Home Minis in a stereo pair, or group multiple speakers together to get Whole-Room Audio, and enjoy a similar experience to Multi Room Audio on multiple Alexa Devices.

You can even control it with Siri using voice commands like “Hey Siri, play The Fox by Ylvis”

Native Homekit Compatibility For Nest

Google has been working with Apple and Amazon in collaboration to develop a smart home communication protocol called Matter. 

The tech giants initially announced that they were working on it in 2019 and last year, they finally decided to roll out the protocol. 

I was rather excited to see how this will affect the interoperability of products developed by Google, Amazon, and Apple individually. 

Since I have several Nest products connected to my Homekit, I was eagerly waiting for matter compatibility but Google only announced that the protocol will be available for a handful of Nest devices and this does not include the thermostats, cameras, and doorbells. 

As of now, Google has not revealed any intentions to roll out matter compatibility for other Nest devices. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Nest work with iPhones?

Yes, Google Nest devices are compatible with iPhones. You can control Nest products through the Nest app, which is available for download on the App Store. However, for this you will either need matter-compatible products or will have to set up a Homebridge server. 

How to import Google Home to Apple Home?

You can add Google Home to your Apple Home using the Staling Home Hub. The process is super easy and convenient. 

HOOBS vs Starling – which is better?

If you want to integrate Nest products with Homekit, Starling Home Hub is better. For other Homekit incompatible devices, HOOBS is better.