Keep it portable
Moving with smart-home devices: a take-it-with-you checklist
Plan the move before the last box is packed. Sort equipment into taking, selling, leaving and returning to the property. Each choice needs a different account and removal plan.
Two weeks before: inventory the dependencies
List device models, hubs, power supplies, mounting parts and subscriptions. Record which account owns each device and which automations depend on it. Export a controller backup if the system supports it, and store that backup securely. Do not put passwords or entry codes in an ordinary moving spreadsheet.
Restore the property properly
Check your permission agreement and manufacturer removal instructions. Retain original bulbs, lock hardware and other parts that must be restored. Adhesives can damage paint even when advertised as removable. Arrange qualified help for wired equipment and do not remove property-owned fixtures without authorization.
Decide what stays with the device
Before selling or leaving equipment, remove personal recordings, access invitations and service integrations. Follow the manufacturer’s ownership-transfer steps. Some products need removal from the owner’s account as well as a factory reset. Do not give a buyer your personal login as a shortcut.
Keep one essentials box
Pack the router, required hub, labelled power adapters, key controls and a normal lamp together. Photograph cable connections for your own use. Keep access methods that do not depend on the boxed equipment. Disable schedules that would behave unexpectedly during packing or after power is restored.
Rebuild slowly at the new address
Check permissions, fixtures and the new network before reconnecting everything. Start with the router, then controller, then one device at a time. Update room names, time zone and location-based routines. Review shared users and entry codes, and test manual controls before enabling automations.