Lock and unlock your Nest thermostat

This article applies to the following Google Nest thermostat models in the US and Canada:

Nest Thermostat E

Nest thermostat e cooling

Nest Learning Thermostat

Nest thermostat gen 3 coolinglearning thermostat 4 large

  • Locking your Google Nest thermostat prevents people from changing settings or changing the temperature outside of a restricted range with the thermostat.
  • Anyone who shares access to your home with the Home or Nest app will still be able to change the temperature and settings or unlock your thermostat with the app.
  • You can lock your thermostat in the Settings menu on your thermostat, or with the Home or Nest app.
  • To unlock a thermostat, you need to enter the four digit PIN code on the thermostat, or use the app.
  • When a Nest thermostat is locked, it will still heat or cool to any temperatures in your schedule, even if they are outside of the locked temperature range. It will also follow your Eco Temperatures.

How it works

Lock your Nest thermostat while in Heat mode or Cool mode

When you lock your Nest thermostat in Heatmode or Coolmode, you'll set a temperature range after you create a four digit PIN. Anyone can turn the thermostat's ring to change the temperature within the range you've set, but they won't be able to set the temperature outside of your range or change any of your settings.

Note:When you lock your thermostat with the Nest or Home app, the smallest temperature range is 5º F (for example, 70-75º F). There is no minimum temperature range if you set the lock directly from the Nest thermostat. So if you want to set a smaller range or lock the thermostat to a single temperature you'll need to set the lock on the thermostat itself.

Lock your Nest thermostat in Heat•Cool mode

When you set your Nest thermostat to Heat•Cool mode, you can choose a temperature range. Your thermostat will heat or cool to stay within this range. The smallest range you can set on your thermostat is 2º F (for example, 68-70º F).

When you set the lock, you'll create a PIN, and then your thermostat will be locked to the range that you've chosen. Unless you enter the PIN and unlock your thermostat, you won't be able to use your thermostat to adjust the temperature or change any settings.

If you need to change your temperature range or settings, you can use the Nest or Home app or unlock your thermostat

How to lock your Nest thermostat

On your thermostat

Follow these steps to lock your Nest thermostat:

  1. Press your thermostat's ring to open the Quick View menu.
  2. Turn the ring to Settingsand press to select.
  3. Turn the ring to find Lock.
  4. Press the ring again to confirm that you want to lock your thermostat.
  5. Enter a four digit PIN that's easy to remember, and enter it again to confirm.
    • Note:If you forget your PIN you can unlock your thermostat with the Nest or Home app.
  6. If you lock your thermostat in Heat•Coolmode, the Lock icon will appear at the bottom of the screen.
  7. If you lock your thermostat in Heatmode or Coolmode, you'll need to set a temperature range. Turn the ring to set the minimum and maximum temperatures. Press to continue.
  8. Press the thermostat ring to choose Doneand lock your thermostat, or select Changeif you need to make any changes to your lock settings.
  9. The Lock icon at the bottom of the screen shows that the thermostat is locked.

With the Nest app

  1. Tap the Nest thermostat you'd like to lock.
  2. Tap the Settingsicon in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and tap Lock.
  4. Enter a PIN that you can easily remember, and enter it again to confirm.
  5. If you're locking your thermostat in Heatmode or Coolmode, you'll need to set a temperature range. Drag the slider to set the minimum and maximum temperatures while locked. Tap Lockat the bottom of the screen when you're done.
  6. To confirm your thermostat is locked, tap Settings. You should now find the option "Unlock" instead of "Lock."

With the Home app

You can lock your thermostat to a single temperature or a temperature range.

  1. Open the Home app
  2. Tap Favoritesor Devices.
  3. Tap your device's tile  Settings.

    • Optional: MoreMore menuSettings.
  4. Tap Lockenter a 4-digit PIN numbertap Next.
  5. In the "Temperature adjustment" section:
    • To set a single temperature, tap Set temperatureenter the temperature you want your thermostat to maintaintap Next.
    • To set a temperature range, tap Rangeenter the highest and lowest temperatures you wanttap Next.

How to unlock your Nest thermostat

On your thermostat

Follow these steps to unlock your Nest thermostat using its ring. You'll need the PIN that was set when the thermostat was locked. If you don't have the PIN, you can still use the Nest or Home app to unlock the thermostat.

  1. Press the thermostat's ring to wake up your thermostat. The Lock icon at the bottom of the screen shows that the thermostat is locked.
  2. Press the thermostat's ring again.
  3. Enter the PIN to unlock your thermostat. Turn the ring to change the number, and press the ring to enter it.
  4. If the PIN is correct, the Lock icon will disappear. Your thermostat is now unlocked.
Nest thermostat PIN unlock screen

With the Nest app

Anyone who has access to your Nest home can use theNest app to unlock your Nest thermostat. You won't need
the PIN.

Note:To unlock your Nest thermostat with the Nest app,
it must be online. If your Nest thermostat is locked, offline,
and you don't have the PIN, please contact us for help.

Follow these steps to unlock your Nest thermostatwith the Nest app:

  1. Tap the Nest thermostat you'd like to unlock.
  2. Tap the Settingsicon in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and tap Unlock.
app unlock

With the Home app

  1. Open the Google Home appGoogle Home app.
  2. Tap the name of your Nest thermostatSettings.
  3. Tap Unlockconfirm that you want to unlock your thermostat.

How to change the lock code

To change your thermostat's PIN code, you'll need to use the Home or Nest app.

Nest app

To change your thermostat's PIN, you'll need to use the Nest app on your phone or tablet.

  1. Open the Nest app.
  2. Select the Nest thermostat that has the PIN you want to change.
  3. Select Settings Unlock.
  4. Once your Nest thermostat has been unlocked, you can select Lockin the Nest thermostat settings to lock it again and set a new PIN.

Home app

  1. Open the Google Home appGoogle Home app.
  2. Tap the name of your Nest thermostatSettings.
  3. Tap Unlockconfirm that you want to unlock your thermostat.
  4. Once your Nest thermostat has been unlocked, you can lock it again and set a new PIN.

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