Moving is a huge headache, and things get even tougher when you have a lot of connected gadgets that need to be factory reset or uninstalled. Deciding what to do with your smart home when moving adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult process.
Should I take or leave the smart locks? Should I uninstall the smart lighting system or provide a detailed manual for buyers? Would it be better to replace the Nest thermostat with a non-smart one or keep it and buy a new version for my new home? What about sensors? What about speakers? What about smoke detectors? The list goes on.
Inspect your home and decide what to keep and what to get rid of
While thinking about your new home, you need to inspect the entire house and decide what to keep and what to dispose of. Think about where to put your old appliances and where to buy new ones.
In this guide, we'll look at which devices it makes sense to take with you and which are easier to leave behind, and we'll also show you what to do with each gadget: how to stop using it in your old home and start using it again in your new one, or how to reset it if you plan to leave it behind.
Manage your smart home inventory
HomePass is an iPad/iPhone app that lets you keep track of all your smart home gadgets and store details like setup codes and serial numbers. Image: HomePass
The first step is to figure out what you currently have, so you don't accidentally leave an expensive smoke detector behind and so you're prepared when it's time to reinstall your devices in your new home. Open the main app (or apps) you use to control your gadgets and make a list of everything installed from there.
You could also use a home belongings management app or an old-fashioned spreadsheet. We recommend using a smart home backup app like HomePass for HomeKit & Matter (iOS only), which lists all your gadgets by room and stores the HomeKit, Matter, or other numeric codes you'll need if you need to set them up again in a new home. We couldn't find any Android alternatives, but a password manager like 1Password should work.
This is also a good time to gather up passwords and usernames for any apps you use to manage your devices and collect instruction manuals, whether they be paper manuals or PDF downloads. Once you have your list, go through it and decide what to leave behind, what to take with you, and finally, what you need to buy for your new home.
Should it remain or be removed?
You'll need to decide whether to take devices like smart locks and video doorbells with you, and if you do, make sure you leave behind working replacements. Photo: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy/The Verge
Chances are, the new owner won't want your old smart home gadgets. They might not trust that you've completely reset your smart locks or that you still can't access your video doorbell. But if you take the right steps, it's possible to sell your home with all your smart devices intact. In some cases, especially with smart lighting and smart thermostats, your gadgets may even increase the value of your home or be used in negotiations.
As a rule of thumb, you are expected to leave home fixtures (anything that is hardwired or screwed in) and anything that is plugged in or battery operated should be taken away or sold, donated or recycled if you no longer need it. If you decide to keep any items that are technically fixtures, such as those listed below, make sure you either note them in the inclusions/exclusions section of your property listing so potential buyers know, or replace them before showing your home.
Smart gear to keep when selling a house
As a general rule of thumb, if there's anything attached to the walls, you should leave it there. However, if you're fond of your thermostat or plan on using a set of security cameras in your new home, consider the time and money it will take to remove them and, for important devices like thermostats and light switches, replace them. This should be done before you show the house. Things you should probably leave behind include:
Smart switches like Lutron Caséta, Leviton, TP-Link, etc.; wired smart lighting fixtures (including outdoor lights) like Nanoleaf or Aqara ceiling lights, Philips Hue outdoor lights, etc.; smart outlets like Eve, Leviton, TP-Link, etc.; smart thermostats like Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell Home, etc.; blinds/window treatments. Whether smart or not, these typically remain when you sell your home and may not fit in your new home. Smart locks that can completely replace deadbolts like Yale Assure, Schlage Encode, Level Lock, etc. Many of these can be rekeyed just like traditional locks. Wired video doorbells, such as Ring Pro or Nest WiredSmart sprinkler controllers, such as Rachio, Moen, or Orbit B-hyveSmart security systems, such as Ring, SimpliSafe, or Abode (especially if they have lots of sensors and devices screwed into your walls, windows, or door frames)Security cameras fixed to your home, such as wired floodlight camerasSmart smoke detectors (especially those that are wired)Smart garage door controllersSmart plumbing, such as Moen kitchen faucets, Kohler smart shower valves, and Phyn smart water shut-off valvesSmart appliances, such as your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, or microwave (if they're built-in)
Smart gear to bring when selling a house
Anything that is not plugged in or permanently connected should be taken out of the home.
Smart speakers, such as Sonos, Amazon, Nest, Apple, etc. Wi-Fi router and modem (if rented, you may need to return it to your ISP) Smart hubs (unless they're essential to what you're leaving behind, such as the Lutron hub for your Caséta smart switch) Smart light bulbs (take these with you unless you have a fully integrated setup, such as ceiling lightbulbs, light strips fixed to the wall, or motion sensors embedded in your home; consider leaving these setups behind) Smart plugs Smart sensors, such as motion, leak, or contact sensors that aren't connected to your home security system Smart TVs or streaming boxes, such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast Retrofit smart door locks that don't replace the entire deadbolt, such as the August smart lock Robot vacuums and mops Smart washers and dryers (unlike kitchen appliances, these typically don't leave the home)
How to Transfer Ownership of Your Smart Home Gadgets
If you negotiated to keep the smart devices, make it clear that you will be leaving them “as is” when you sell – you don't want to be responsible as the systems administrator for the new residents.
However, as a courtesy and to ease buyer fears, we recommend setting up a dedicated email address for your home and transferring those devices to that email address. (This means either factory resetting the devices or transferring/sharing ownership to the email address.)
Once the sale is complete, give the new owner your email address and password. Then remove yourself from the device and delete them from the app (if you don't have any other devices from that company, delete the app). Do this before you leave, as some devices won't allow you to factory reset them unless you're on the same network.
The new owner can use that email address to transfer ownership of the device to themselves and set up a new account and password — all without any hassle on your part.
Tip: Before you factory reset or transfer your device, remove all smart home integrations such as Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, etc.
Using a service like Gmail, you can also create a Google Drive folder with PDFs of all the manuals and a Google Doc that lists the device and its brand, model name, and any other relevant details the new owner might need.
As mentioned above, any devices you keep in your home should be factory reset or moved. Be careful with each device, though, so you don't “break” your home. If you factory reset your thermostat, it will stop working and could damage your home in extreme temperatures. The same goes for smart sprinkler systems. You don't want to have to pay to get a new lawn.
If you plan on taking your smart thermostat with you, make sure you install a replacement to ensure it's working properly and to avoid damaging your HVAC system. Photo credit: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
To ensure that critical systems continue to function for the new owner, check with the device manufacturer for factory reset and ownership transfer instructions. Additionally, security devices like cameras, security systems, and smart locks often require special steps to prevent unauthorized account takeover. Failure to follow these steps during a factory reset could leave the new owner with a useless gadget.
All of this is why a home email address makes so much sense: the new owner can continue to control and use the device while they get settled, and then easily do a factory reset themselves and transfer the permissions to their own email address, with more confidence that it's been wiped clean.
Tip: If you're leaving your security cameras behind, be sure to also delete or wipe any storage systems like microSD cards and cloud backups, and cancel any subscriptions.
How to Factory Reset Your Smart Home Devices
Some devices have special transfer or factory reset tips that are important to follow. Below are links to some of the more common devices:
How to pack your smart home devices
Be as strategic as possible when packing the devices you're taking with you. When you remove a device, place it in its original packaging or a container such as a Ziploc bag to keep everything together, including screws, stands, and remotes. Label the contents of the bag with the device name, room, and location. This will make it much easier to put everything back in your new home.
Don't factory reset these devices – unplug them, put them away, and remove the batteries if there's still time before you move. Then, when you move into your new home, set up Wi-Fi with the same SSID and password as before, power everything back on, and they should show up again in your network and smart home apps as if nothing had changed.
Of course, moving house is also the perfect time to start a smart home from scratch, but that's a topic for another blog.