If you just upgraded to a smart thermostat, the next step is downloading the right app so you can control your heat and AC from your phone. We tested the top options on iOS 12 and rounded up our favorites below.
1. Nest App (Version 5.x)
The Nest app has been the gold standard for smart thermostat control for years. On iOS 12, the interface is clean and the scheduling tool is easy to figure out. You can set a “Home” and “Away” temperature, and the app learns your habits over time. One thing we noticed: if you’re still running an iPhone 6 or 6s, the app can be a little slow to load, but it works fine.
2. Honeywell Total Connect Comfort
Honeywell’s app covers most of their Wi-Fi thermostat lineup, including the popular RTH9580WF and the Lyric T6 Pro. The interface isn’t as pretty as Nest, but it gets the job done. Works on iOS 10 and above, so older phones are fine.
3. Ecobee SmartHome App
Ecobee’s app lets you control room sensors as well as the thermostat itself, which is a big deal if you have one room that’s always hotter than the rest of the house. We tested this on an iPhone 7 with iOS 12.1 and had zero issues.
4. Emerson Sensi
The Sensi app is great if you have an older HVAC system. Setup took us about 10 minutes, and the app connected on the first try over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Note: it does NOT work on 5 GHz networks, which a lot of newer routers default to — so check your router settings before you start.
5. Wink Hub App
If you’re using a Wink Hub to connect multiple smart home devices, their app lets you control your thermostat alongside your lights and locks. The Wink platform has had some rocky moments in 2018 but seems stable heading into 2019. Worth a look if you’re already in the Wink ecosystem.
Quick Comparison Table
| App | iOS Minimum | Works Offline? | Free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest | iOS 10 | No | Yes |
| Honeywell TCC | iOS 10 | Limited | Yes |
| Ecobee | iOS 11 | No | Yes |
| Sensi | iOS 10 | No | Yes |
| Wink | iOS 9 | No | Free (hub required) |
Bottom Line
Any of these apps will work well with a compatible thermostat on an iPhone running iOS 12. Our top pick is still the Nest app — it’s fast, reliable, and the scheduling feature is hard to beat. If you have an older Honeywell model, stick with Total Connect Comfort.
Have a thermostat app we didn’t cover? Drop it in the comments.