May 25, 2026 – Mountain View, CA – Nest Thermostat Gets Smarter Presence Detection
Google has released a firmware update for the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) that further improves the device’s PIR presence detection algorithms. Version 8.6, rolling out this week, enhances the thermostat’s ability to detect stationary occupants.
The updated algorithm reduces false “away” events by an additional 25% compared to the previous 8.5 update, while maintaining energy savings of 15-20%.
Key improvements include:
- Better detection of seated occupants reading or watching TV
- Improved differentiation between pets and humans
- Faster response time for presence detection (from 2 minutes to 90 seconds)
- Enhanced learning for households with irregular schedules
“The Nest Learning Thermostat continues to evolve through software updates,” said a Google spokesperson. “These improvements make the thermostat even better at understanding when you’re home.”
The update is rolling out automatically to all 4th Gen Nest Learning Thermostats over the next two weeks. Users can manually check for updates in the Nest app.