How To Reset Smart Home Devices When Moving Into A New Apartment

Moving into a new apartment often comes with unexpected challenges—especially in today’s connected world, where smart home technology is increasingly common. Many modern units come pre-equipped with smart thermostats, doorbells, locks, and lighting systems. While these features can enhance convenience, they also pose serious privacy and security risks if not properly reset before use. Previous tenants may still have access to device data, remote controls, or even live camera feeds. Failing to reset these devices means you’re not just sharing your space—you might be sharing your digital life.

Resetting smart home devices isn’t always as simple as unplugging and plugging back in. Each device has its own process, and skipping steps can leave vulnerabilities. This guide walks through everything you need to know to take full ownership of your smart home environment—from identifying what’s installed to performing secure resets and setting up your own accounts. Whether you're tech-savvy or new to smart homes, this step-by-step approach ensures your new apartment starts fresh, private, and under your control.

Identify What Smart Devices Are Installed

The first step in securing your new apartment is knowing exactly what smart technology exists within it. Walk through each room and look for signs of connected devices. Common locations include:

• Front door: Smart doorbell (e.g., Ring, Nest Hello)
• Entryway: Smart lock (e.g., August, Yale)
• Hallways or ceilings: Smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Nest) or motion sensors
• Living room or bedroom: Smart plugs, light switches, or blinds
• Thermostat area: Smart thermostat (e.g., Ecobee, Nest Learning Thermostat)
• Bathroom or kitchen: Smart mirrors, faucets, or voice-controlled appliances

Check behind furniture, near outlets, and on walls. Some devices blend into the environment. Look for blinking lights, QR codes, or manufacturer logos. If unsure, consult your landlord or property manager for a list of installed devices. Never assume a device is inactive—many continue operating even after previous tenants move out.

Tip: Use a flashlight to scan dark corners and ceiling edges; small status LEDs are often visible in low light.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Smart Devices

Once you’ve identified all smart devices, begin the reset process. The goal is to remove any association with the previous owner’s account and network. Below is a universal approach applicable to most devices, followed by brand-specific examples.

1. Disconnect from Wi-Fi: Unplug the device or disable its network connection temporarily.
2. Locate the reset button: Usually a small pinhole on the back or bottom labeled “Reset.”
3. Perform a factory reset: Press and hold the reset button for 10–15 seconds until lights flash or change pattern.
4. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi: Power the device back on and follow the app setup process using your personal account.
5. Delete old accounts (if possible): Contact support if you suspect prior access remains active.

Not all resets are physical. Some require app-based actions or voice commands. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, but here are common procedures for popular brands:

Smart Doorbells (Ring, Nest)

For Ring devices: Open the Ring app > tap the three-line menu > Devices > select the doorbell > Device Settings > Remove This Device. Then perform a physical reset by holding the orange button on the side for 15 seconds until the ring light spins off.

Nest Doorbell users must go to the Google Home app > select the device > Settings > Remove device. Hold the release tab on the mount to detach, then press and hold the setup button for 10 seconds.

Smart Locks (August, Schlage)

With August locks, open the August app > go to Settings > Select your lock > Delete Device. Then press and hold the reset button inside the battery compartment for 10 seconds. The LED will blink red and green, indicating reset.

Schlage Encode models require you to remove the interior panel, press the reset button near the batteries, and hold until the keypad flashes red. Re-pair via the Schlage Home app with your credentials.

Smart Thermostats (Nest, Ecobee)

To reset a Nest Thermostat: Press the outer ring to bring up settings > scroll to Reset > choose All Settings > confirm. Wait for the screen to go blank and reboot. It will enter setup mode upon restart.

Ecobee users should navigate to Menu > Settings > Reset > Clear Settings. After resetting, reconnect using your Ecobee account during initial setup.

Smart Speakers & Displays (Amazon Echo, Google Nest)

On an Amazon Echo: Press and hold the Microphone Off and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for 20 seconds until the light ring turns orange. This wipes all data and disassociates the device from any account.

For Google Nest devices: Press and hold the mute button on the back for 12 seconds. The device will announce it’s entering factory reset mode.

“Just because a smart device looks abandoned doesn’t mean it’s disconnected. Factory resets are essential for reclaiming digital autonomy in shared housing.” — David Lin, Cybersecurity Analyst at HomeSecure Labs

Do’s and Don’ts When Resetting Smart Home Devices

Do’s	Don’ts
Always perform a factory reset before connecting to your Wi-Fi	Assume a device is already reset just because it’s in a new unit
Create a new account or use a dedicated email for smart devices	Use default passwords like “admin” or “password” during setup
Update firmware immediately after resetting	Skip software updates—they often patch critical security flaws
Label devices once reset to track which ones you’ve secured	Leave reset devices unattended while in setup mode
Contact building management if a device resists reset attempts	Force-reset a device repeatedly—it could damage internal components

Real Example: A Tenant’s Close Call With a Forgotten Camera

In early 2023, Sarah M., a graphic designer who moved into a renovated downtown apartment in Seattle, noticed her roommate acting oddly nervous around the living room speaker. One evening, she heard the Amazon Echo randomly say, “You have a notification,” despite no one speaking to it. Curious, she asked Alexa to read recent messages—and was shocked when it began reading private texts from someone named “Jake.”

After investigating, Sarah realized the Echo had never been reset. Jake, the previous tenant, still had partial access through his Amazon account. He hadn’t removed the device, assuming the landlord would handle it. Sarah contacted Amazon Support, initiated a remote wipe, and performed a hard reset. She later discovered the smart doorbell was also linked to Jake’s Ring account. After reporting it to her landlord, both devices were fully reset and reconfigured under her control.

This incident highlights how easily oversight can compromise privacy—even in high-end, professionally managed buildings. Had Sarah not caught the anomaly, Jake could have accessed audio, video, and even smart lock activity indefinitely.

Tip: After setup, test each device by logging into the associated app from a different phone or tablet to confirm only your account has access.

Essential Checklist Before Using Any Smart Device

Use this checklist to ensure every smart device in your new apartment is secure and under your control:

• ✅ Identify all smart devices present in the apartment
• ✅ Research the make and model of each device
• ✅ Locate the official user manual or support page
• ✅ Perform a factory reset using the correct method
• ✅ Connect the device to your personal Wi-Fi network
• ✅ Set up the device using your own account (avoid shared or generic emails)
• ✅ Immediately install available firmware updates
• ✅ Test functionality and verify access permissions
• ✅ Notify landlord if any device cannot be reset or appears tampered with
• ✅ Document serial numbers and reset dates for future reference

This process may take several hours depending on the number of devices, but it's time well spent. Think of it as digital housecleaning—necessary for peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t find the reset button on a smart device?

If the reset mechanism isn’t obvious, search online using the device’s model number and “factory reset.” Many devices require specific button combinations or app-based resets. If still stuck, contact the manufacturer’s customer support with photos and details. Landlords may also have documentation from the installer.

Can a landlord refuse to let me reset smart devices?

In most jurisdictions, tenants have the right to control devices in their unit, especially those that collect personal data. However, structural or hardwired systems (like central HVAC controls) may be restricted. Clarify responsibilities in your lease. If a landlord denies access to reset a privacy-sensitive device like a camera or lock, report it to local housing authorities—this may violate tenant privacy laws.

Is it safe to keep using a smart device if I didn’t reset it?

No. An unreset device may still transmit data to the previous user’s cloud account. Even if it seems inactive, background connectivity can persist. Some devices cache weeks of audio or video. Always reset before use—there are no exceptions when privacy is at stake.

Final Steps: Secure, Monitor, and Maintain Control

Resetting smart home devices is not a one-time chore—it’s the foundation of ongoing digital hygiene. After setup, enable two-factor authentication on all associated accounts. Regularly review login activity and connected devices in your app dashboards. Set calendar reminders to check for firmware updates every three months.

Also consider creating a separate guest Wi-Fi network for smart devices. This isolates them from your primary devices (laptops, phones), reducing the risk of cross-network breaches. Name the network something neutral—avoid labels like “IoT” or “Cameras” that signal targets to hackers.

Finally, document your smart home inventory. Keep a simple spreadsheet with device names, model numbers, reset dates, and account info. This helps during future moves and troubleshooting.

“The moment you move in is the best opportunity to establish digital boundaries. Once a device is compromised, regaining full control becomes exponentially harder.” — Dr. Lena Torres, IoT Security Researcher at MIT Media Lab

Take Control of Your Digital Space

Your apartment should be a sanctuary—not a surveillance zone inherited from someone else. Taking the time to reset every smart device protects your privacy, secures your network, and gives you true ownership of your living space. It’s easy to overlook these invisible connections in the chaos of moving, but neglecting them carries real risks.

Start today. Walk through your apartment with purpose. Reset each device with care. Build your smart home from scratch, on your terms. Share this knowledge with roommates, friends, and neighbors—because digital safety shouldn’t be a secret. Together, we can make smart living truly secure.

💬 Have a story about resetting smart devices in a new place? Share your experience in the comments and help others avoid common pitfalls.