Open the Alexa app and find the device you want to remove

To delete a device from Alexa, start by opening the Alexa app on your phone or tablet. Tap the Devices icon at the bottom right of the screen — it looks like a small box. You'll see a list of all devices connected to your account, organized by room or by type (Echo devices, smart lights, smart plugs, and so on).

Find the device you want to remove from the list. Tap on it to open its settings page. This page shows you the device name, what room it's assigned to, and options to control or modify it.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a device from the Alexa app does not delete it from your Amazon account — it only stops Alexa from controlling it.
  • You can remove a device in two taps: open Devices, select the device, scroll down, and tap Remove Device.
  • If you want to use the device with Alexa again later, you can re-add it by putting it back into pairing mode and discovering it in the app.
  • Removing a device does not affect other devices or routines that don't depend on it, but routines that specifically trigger that device will stop working.

Scroll down and tap Remove Device

Once you're on the device's settings page, scroll down to the bottom. You'll see a button labeled Remove Device in red text. Tap it.

The app will ask you to confirm. It will say something like "Are you sure you want to remove [device name]?" Tap Remove or Confirm to complete the action. The device will disappear from your Devices list when ready.

What happens after you remove a device

Once removed, Alexa will no longer respond to voice commands for that device. If you had set up routines that used this device — for example, a routine that turns on a smart light when you say "Alexa, good morning" — that routine will stop working or will skip that step.

The device itself is not damaged or erased. It still exists as a physical object in your home. If you want to use it with Alexa again, you can re-add it by putting it back into pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the device itself) and then discovering it again in the Alexa app under Devices > Add Device.

Removing a device also does not affect your Amazon account or your purchase history. Amazon will still know you own the device if you ever need to contact support or check your orders.

When to remove a device instead of just unplugging it

You might remove a device from Alexa if you're selling it, giving it away, or moving it to a different home network. Unplugging a device temporarily (for example, to restart it) is different — you don't need to remove it from the app just because it's not powered on.

If a device stops responding in the Alexa app, you can try unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If that doesn't work, you can remove it and re-add it to force Alexa to rediscover it. This often fixes connection problems.

You should also remove a device if you no longer want Alexa to control it but you still want to keep it in your home. For example, if you have a smart plug that you want to use manually instead of through voice commands, removing it from Alexa lets you do that without losing the device itself.

Removing multiple devices at once

The Alexa app does not have a bulk-remove feature, so you'll need to remove each device one at a time. If you have many devices to remove, go through the Devices list and repeat the process for each one.

If you're moving to a new home or switching to a different Amazon account, you might want to remove all your devices. You can do this by going through the Devices list and removing each one individually. Alternatively, you can deregister your Echo device itself (the speaker or display that runs Alexa), which will disconnect all devices associated with it — but this is a more drastic step and is usually only needed if you're selling the Echo device or giving it away.

Removing a device from a shared household

If you share your Alexa account with family members through Alexa's household feature, removing a device affects everyone in that household. All users will lose the ability to control that device through Alexa.

If only one person in the household wants to remove a device, they should talk to the account owner first. The account owner (the person who set up the Alexa account) has the authority to remove devices, and other household members cannot remove devices on their own.

Troubleshooting: Device won't remove

If you tap Remove Device and nothing happens, or if the app shows an error, try closing the Alexa app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to process the removal.

If the device still won't remove, check your internet connection. The Alexa app needs to communicate with Amazon's servers to remove a device from your account. If your phone or tablet is not connected to WiFi or mobile data, the removal won't go through.

If you've tried both of those steps and the device still won't remove, you can try removing it from a different device — for example, if you were using your phone, try using a tablet or computer instead. Sometimes the app has temporary glitches on one device but works fine on another.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a device delete it from my Amazon account?

No. Removing a device from the Alexa app only stops Alexa from controlling it. Your Amazon account will still show that you own the device, and you can re-add it to Alexa at any time by putting it back into pairing mode and discovering it again in the app.

Will removing a device break my routines?

Routines that specifically use that device will stop working or will skip that step. For example, if you have a routine that turns on three smart lights, and you remove one of them, the routine will still run but will only turn on the two remaining lights. You can edit the routine to remove the missing device from it.

Can I remove a device without the Alexa app?

You can remove a device by deregistering your Echo device (the speaker or display), but this removes all devices at once and is usually too drastic. The app is the easiest way to remove individual devices. You can also contact Amazon support if you need help removing a device remotely.

What if I remove a device by accident?

You can re-add it when ready. Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, tap Add Device, and follow the pairing steps for that device type. As long as the device is still powered on and in pairing mode, Alexa will find it and reconnect it to your account.

Do I need to remove a device before I sell it?

Yes, you should remove it from your Alexa account before selling or giving it away. This prevents the new owner from controlling your other devices or accessing your routines. After you remove it, the new owner can set it up with their own Amazon account.