A factory reset is a start, but it is not the whole job. Here is how to clear your accounts, recordings and settings before a device leaves your home.
A smart TV, security camera or speaker can hold more of your life than you might expect: signed-in streaming accounts, saved footage, voice recordings, app logins and your Wi-Fi password. When you sell, gift, trade in or recycle one of these devices, that information can go with it unless you remove it first. The Federal Trade Commission walks through these steps for phones, computers and even cars, and the same logic applies to the connected devices around your house.
What your smart devices hold onto after you unplug them
Start by thinking about what each device stores. A smart TV may have your streaming passwords, your home network details and settings tied to viewing habits, which is worth reviewing before any change; see our guide to what your smart TV knows about you. Cameras store clips and photos, sometimes both on the device and in a companion app. Speakers and plugs may carry your account credentials and routines that reveal when you are home.
Also think about the account behind the device. Recordings saved to the cloud, purchase history and linked payment methods usually live on the company’s servers, not just in the hardware. Unplugging a camera does nothing to those files.
Why a factory reset alone can leave data behind
A factory reset returns a device’s settings and data to their original state, and that is a necessary step. But the FTC warns that even after a reset, work can remain. Its advice about selling a car notes that a vehicle may still be connected to subscription services like satellite radio and data services after a reset, and you need to cancel or transfer them. Connected home devices can work the same way: paid tiers, cloud storage plans and service subscriptions tied to a camera or speaker may keep billing you until you cancel them.
A reset also does not touch your accounts on the server side. If the new owner cannot get to your data, a hacker who targets your old, still-registered account might.
Unlinking accounts and subscriptions before you hand a device over
Before you erase anything, make a list of what the device touches:
- Streaming and app logins signed in on a smart TV or media player.
- Companion apps on your phone that control the camera, speaker or plug.
- Trusted-device lists. The FTC advises removing the device from the list of trusted devices for any accounts where you use multi-factor authentication.
- Subscriptions attached to the device, such as cloud video storage. Cancel or transfer them.
- Cloud content. Delete saved recordings and voice history from your account after you have backed up anything you want to keep.
The same habit of closing out old access helps elsewhere; our article on cleaning up old online accounts covers the accounts themselves.
Step-by-step wipe for TVs, cameras, speakers and plugs
- Back up first. The FTC recommends saving anything you want to keep, such as camera clips, to an external drive or a cloud service. Cloud storage uses encryption to protect files, and it pays to check what level of privacy and security a provider offers.
- Unlink accounts and subscriptions, as listed above, while the device is still in front of you.
- Delete cloud-side content. Remove recordings and history from your account, not just the hardware.
- Factory reset the device using its settings menu, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model.
- Remove memory cards. The FTC points out that a removable SD memory card may store personal information, so take it out and keep or reuse it yourself rather than passing it along with the device.
- Remove batteries. The EPA advises taking batteries out of electronics before recycling, since they may need to be recycled separately.
Watch for
Deleting footage on a camera app does not always delete the copies stored in your cloud account. Check the account settings and delete there too.
Selling, gifting or trading in: what each option requires
A buyer or recipient will need the device, its power cable and any parts required for it to work; the FTC suggests including needed accessories when you donate electronics. Double-check that companion apps on your phone are disconnected from the device, since those apps may let you control it or see its footage from a distance. For a trade-in, follow the program’s instructions, which typically assume you have already backed up and erased the device.
Recycling electronics the right way, including state e-waste rules
The FTC says dumping old electronics in the trash is a bad idea, because most electronics contain hazardous materials that should not go into landfills. The EPA says to delete all personal information and remove batteries before recycling, and it warns that lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them must not go in household garbage or recycling bins. Look for recycling programs run by manufacturers and retailers, some with drop-off locations and others with free mailing labels. Your community may run an e-cycling program of its own; check with your county or local government, including the local landfill office, for the rules. State e-waste requirements vary, so confirm the details with your state agency.
The EPA also recommends using certified electronics recyclers. Two accredited certification standards exist in the United States, R2 and e-Stewards, and both require destruction of all data on used electronics along with safe handling of materials.
If the device you are retiring was a camera, plan its replacement with privacy in mind from the start; see home security cameras without the privacy problems. And once the device is gone, a quick review of which apps and services still have access to your accounts is a smart next step.
The essentials
- Smart devices can hold saved logins, payment details, Wi-Fi credentials, app settings and recordings even after they are unplugged.
- The FTC warns that a factory reset may not disconnect a device from subscription services, so cancel or transfer those separately.
- Unlink the device from your accounts and remove it from any trusted-device lists before it leaves your hands.
- Delete cloud-stored footage and voice history from your account, not just from the device itself.
- Remove batteries, keep lithium-ion batteries out of household bins, and check your state’s e-waste rules before recycling.
Reader questions
Does a factory reset remove everything from a smart device?
It erases settings and stored data on the device, but the FTC notes that connections to subscription services can survive a reset. Your cloud account data, such as saved camera footage, also stays in your account until you delete it there.
What should I do with the memory card in a camera or doorbell?
The FTC advises removing a removable SD memory card because it can store personal information. Keep the card or reuse it yourself rather than handing it over with the device.
Can I put an old smart speaker or camera in the trash?
The FTC says dumping old electronics in the trash is a bad idea, since most contain hazardous materials that should not go into landfills. The EPA says devices with lithium-ion batteries must not go in household garbage or recycling bins. Use a manufacturer, retailer or community take-back program instead.
How do I know a recycler will actually destroy my data?
The EPA recommends certified electronics recyclers, and the two accredited standards, R2 and e-Stewards, require destruction of all data on used electronics. You should still erase the device yourself first.
We describe how services generally work; features, settings and terms change often, and they differ between companies. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the provider’s current policies and official sources such as FTC.gov.