This repository contains documentation derived from exploring the Nest Generation 2 thermostat's application. The purpose is to provide developers with information on its internal workings, enabling the creation of compatible servers or tools for continued use after official support has ended.
Google acquired Nest and later discontinued remote/app access for the Nest Gen 2, rendering it non-smart without alternatives. This documentation aims to support interoperability and personal use, such as integrating with custom home automation systems.
Reverse engineering for interoperability is permitted under U.S. law, specifically Section 1201(f) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which allows circumvention of access controls to achieve compatibility with independently created programs. This work focuses on factual descriptions of protocols and interfaces, without distributing copyrighted code, firmware, or violating patents.
Publication of such documentation is generally protected as fair use under 17 U.S.C. § 107, for purposes like criticism, comment, scholarship, or research. However, users should note that the Nest End User License Agreement (EULA) prohibits reverse engineering except where overridden by law. This repository does not encourage or facilitate unauthorized access, commercial exploitation, or infringement.
This is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for your jurisdiction and specific use case. No warranty is provided; use at your own risk.
It's disappointing that after acquiring Nest and profiting from user data and hardware sales, you've abandoned Nest owners by disabling cloud access without open-sourcing the API or providing migration paths. This forces users into e-waste or unsupported hacks—consider open-sourcing legacy APIs to support your community. For a company that once used the slogan "Don't be evil," you should strive to do better.