Smart home security depends on more than a strong password. This practical audit shows how to check whether cameras, speakers, plugs, thermostats, hubs and other connected devices still receive security updates, what evidence to record, and when an older product should be replaced or isolated.
Overview
There is no single answer to “how long do smart home devices get updates?” Support varies by manufacturer, product generation, software platform and sometimes region. A device may still work after regular updates stop, but continued operation is not the same as continued security support.
Start by making an inventory of every device that connects to your home network or controls something important. Include products that are easy to forget, such as smart plugs, Wi-Fi bulbs, robot vacuums, streaming boxes, heating bridges, indoor air-quality monitors and old tablets used as control panels. Record the brand, exact model, serial number if available, purchase date, app and account used, and the date you last checked for firmware.
Use the manufacturer’s support pages and the device’s official app as your primary references. Look for an explicit security-support period, an end-of-support notice, a firmware release history or a statement about minimum software support. If the policy is unclear, do not assume that an apparently recent product is still supported.
For related settings, use our Smart Home Privacy Checklist UK to review permissions, recordings, accounts and sharing controls. If you are replacing equipment, our guide to building a smart home without a monthly subscription can help you compare ongoing commitments.
Checklist by scenario
Annual household audit
- Walk through every room, including the loft, garage, garden and utility area.
- List each connected device and identify its exact model rather than recording only the product family.
- Open the official app and check the firmware or software version. Save a screenshot or note the date.
- Visit the manufacturer’s support page and search for the model number plus “firmware”, “security updates” or “end of support”.
- Check whether the device needs a manufacturer account, a hub, a subscription or a supported phone operating system to receive updates.
- Install available updates, then confirm that automations, schedules and integrations still work.
- Replace, isolate or retire products for which support has clearly ended and which cannot be updated.
Before buying second-hand hardware
Ask the seller for the exact model, proof of purchase where relevant, the last firmware version and confirmation that the device can be removed from their account. A factory reset does not always resolve every ownership or compatibility issue. Check the manufacturer’s support policy yourself before paying, and avoid products whose update status cannot be established.
After a security warning
Prioritise internet-facing equipment: cameras, video doorbells, hubs, routers and smart locks. Read the manufacturer’s advisory rather than relying on a social-media summary. Apply the recommended update, change affected passwords if instructed, enable multi-factor authentication and review account sessions. If no fix is available, disconnect the product from the internet or replace it, especially if it protects an entrance or records inside the home.
When moving house or changing your router
Use the transition as a security reset. Remove old owners and guests, delete unused automations, update Wi-Fi credentials, check that the new router receives security updates and reconnect devices one at a time. This is also a useful point to retire products that have become unreliable or are no longer compatible with your chosen platform. Our smart home compatibility checker can help when platforms or standards are changing.
Reference table to complete for your devices
Manufacturers change support policies and app menus, so use this as a working reference rather than a permanent list of fixed dates. Complete one row per device and link to the page you checked.
| Device type | Record | Where to check | Extra risk to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera or video doorbell | Brand, model, firmware date, stated support period | App device settings and manufacturer security advisory page | Internet access, recordings and account privacy |
| Smart speaker or display | Model generation, software version, account owner | App settings, product support page and account security centre | Microphone, voice history and third-party integrations |
| Smart plug, bulb or switch | Model, hub requirement, last update and update method | Manufacturer app, hub settings and firmware notes | Unknown cloud support and outdated mobile apps |
| Thermostat, TRV or heating hub | Controller, bridge, firmware and boiler integration | App settings and manufacturer compatibility or support pages | Heating schedules, remote access and safety-related changes |
| Smart lock | Lock model, bridge, firmware and account status | App settings, support page and security notices | Entry control; do not leave a discontinued lock as the only access method |
| Robot vacuum or appliance | Exact model, app version, firmware and cloud dependence | App settings and product support page | Maps, household data and loss of remote control |
| Hub, router or streaming device | Hardware revision, operating system and update policy | System settings, network dashboard and manufacturer support page | Network access and the security of connected devices |
What to double-check
“Last firmware date” is not the same as “supported until”. A recent update suggests activity, but it does not guarantee a published future commitment. Look for both the latest release and the manufacturer’s stated support terms.
Automatic updates may be disabled. Check whether updates are installed automatically, require approval in the app, depend on a hub or need the device to be online overnight. Confirm the result after updating.
App support can end before hardware support. An older phone or operating system may no longer show the update option even though the device remains supported. Try the manufacturer’s web account or a compatible current device before concluding that the hardware is obsolete.
Cloud dependence matters. Some products retain basic local functions when cloud services change; others lose remote control or automations. Read the product’s support documentation and decide whether that failure mode is acceptable before keeping it in a critical role.
Security and compatibility are separate questions. Matter, Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home compatibility may change independently of firmware support. A device can be secure but no longer integrate with your chosen platform, or remain compatible while no longer receiving security fixes.
Common mistakes
- Recording only the brand and product name, when several generations have different support arrangements.
- Assuming a product is safe because it still turns on or appears in an app.
- Ignoring hubs and bridges, which can connect otherwise simple devices to the internet.
- Leaving an old camera, lock or router online because replacing it feels inconvenient.
- Factory-resetting a device without removing it from the previous owner’s account.
- Installing unofficial firmware without understanding the security, warranty and recovery implications.
- Failing to test automations after an update, especially heating schedules, door alerts and alarm-related routines.
When to revisit
Set a calendar reminder for a full audit at least once a year, ideally before a seasonal change when heating, cooling or security devices are used more heavily. Perform a quicker review whenever you receive a security alert, change your router, replace a phone, buy second-hand hardware or notice that an app has stopped offering updates.
At each review, update your inventory, revisit manufacturer support pages and record any changed firmware instructions or end-of-support announcements. For heating equipment, check compatibility before replacing a controller; our UK smart thermostat compatibility guide covers the questions to ask. For energy planning, see our guide to smart home electricity use and running costs.
Your next action is simple: choose one room, list every connected device, check each official update location and mark the result as supported, unclear or no longer supported. Keep supported devices updated, investigate unclear cases and remove unsupported products from sensitive roles before they become an avoidable weak point.
