Moving out: what to do with your smart home devices

Start with an inventory and the lease

List every connected device: speakers and displays, thermostat, lock, doorbell, cameras, plugs, bulbs, sensors, hub, router and TV. For each one, note who owns it, what you installed and what it replaced. Check your lease and any move-out checklist from the landlord: devices you installed may need to be removed and the original parts restored. Anything the landlord supplied stays. For lock and thermostat rules, see smart lock for renters and thermostat limits and landlord rules.

Decide: take it, leave it, or sell it

The step-by-step checklist

1. Release each device from your accounts

Removing something from an app is not always the same as releasing it. Ring says that physically uninstalling a device or deleting the Ring app does not release ownership of a Ring device, and that removing a device does not cancel your subscription, which you must cancel separately. Ring’s transfer process lets you pick up to 25 devices and send a request to the new owner, or remove them from your account. If the new owner requests ownership and you do not respond within 15 days, doorbells, cameras and chimes are removed automatically, but alarm, smart lighting, Echo bridge and Sidewalk devices are not.

For Google Home and Nest devices, Google’s moving guide says to open the Google Home app, select the device, choose Settings, then Remove device, then factory reset it. Cancel any Google Home Premium subscription first for battery cameras and doorbells.

For Apple Home, select the accessory in the Home app, scroll to its settings and choose Remove Accessory; if the Home app does not offer it, remove it in the maker’s app. Then reset the accessory following the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Factory reset what stays

For anything you leave, reset to factory settings after you remove it from your accounts. This clears Wi-Fi credentials, user lists and stored history on the device. Note that removing a device from one ecosystem does not remove it from another: a Matter device added to several apps must be removed from each (see Matter multi-admin).

3. Delete codes, users and shared access

• Delete every user code and fingerprint on locks, and remove guest access for family, neighbors, cleaners and dog walkers.
• Remove people from each home in Apple Home, Google Home and the Alexa household. Apple notes that removing a person does not revoke access granted in a third-party accessory app; remove those too.
• Delete app shortcuts, voice profiles and linked services such as shopping or music accounts from speakers and displays.

4. Handle Wi-Fi and network

Remove your Wi-Fi name and password from devices you leave, or reset them. If you are leaving the router, factory reset it and clear the admin password. At the new place, change default passwords on the new router first, then add devices to a separate network if you can (how to set one up).

5. Cancel or move subscriptions

Camera cloud plans, professional monitoring and extended warranties are tied to accounts and locations. Ring says you do not need to cancel your subscription if you are taking devices with you: edit the address of your existing Location instead of creating a new one, so the subscription carries over. If you use professional monitoring, switch to self-monitoring before you change an address, and check whether your new city requires an alarm permit.

6. Take down hardware, restore the original

Photograph the original wiring and hardware before you remove anything. Reinstall the original thumbturn, thermostat or doorbell button if you replaced them, and patch screw holes if your lease requires it. Turn off power at the breaker before touching wiring, and hire a licensed electrician if you are unsure.

If you are the new occupant

• Do not trust devices left behind. Factory reset any speaker, display, thermostat or camera, then set it up on your own account.
• Google notes that a Nest camera still linked to another account may need to wait for its video history to expire, which can take up to 60 days. Ring lets new owners request ownership; Ring Customer Support cannot speed up release requests.
• Change every lock code and, if you can, re-key the lock. A previous occupant’s codes may still work.
• Ask the landlord which devices are theirs and whether the landlord has any codes or accounts on them.

Final check before you hand over keys

1. All devices removed or transferred in each app.
2. Every device left behind factory reset.
3. All lock codes deleted and shared users removed.
4. Subscriptions canceled or moved.
5. Landlord’s hardware left in place and your originals restored.
6. Photos of the finished condition for your deposit.

For help re-planning the new place, see the renter no-drill smart home kit.