Belkin Wemo discontinuation of service

Belkin Wemo smarthome devices require cloud connectivity to work. Belkin is closing that Cloud on January 31 2026, disabling remote access & automation functionality to most Wemo branded smarthome devices, while still having these items for sale on their Amazon WeMo store and advertising them as working with Google, Alexa, & more.

According to Belkin, after January 31, 2026, devices from Wemo plugs, switches, light dimmers, sensors, in-wall devices & more will no longer be usable via

• Wemo app
• integrated with google home
• amazon alexa

Background

Wemo is a smart home product line developed by Belkin, first made in 2011. It includes smart plugs, light switches, motion sensors, dimmers, & connected appliances like coffee makers & humidifers These devices were marketed as one time purchases with cloud features, app control, and integration with Alexa/Google Home/Apple Homekit.

Wemo became popular for convenience, ease of use, and integration with a wide variety of voice assistants & cloud automation programs.

Belkin 2025 shutdown announcement

email from belkin about wemo shutdown

On July 10th 2025, Belkin created a support page & began emailing customers informing them that most Wemo devices would stop working on January 31, 2026.

The company said it had made a "difficult decision" to shut down cloud services for Wemo products & that any feature requiring cloud connectivity, such as app control& voice assistant support, would stop functioning.

Tech details:

• Devices will still work locally if they were configured with Apple homekit PRIOR to the shutdown
• Other remote functionality will no longer work.
• Wemo app will not be updated after January 31, 2026.
• Out of warranty users are being told to take them to an e-waste recycling facility

Partial list of devices affected:

• Wemo Smart Plug
• Wemo smart light switches
• Wemo inwall dimmers & switches
• Wemo applianes like smart crockpots, air purifiers, coffeemakers & humidifiers
• Wemo motion sensors & LED lighting kits

Belkin tells customers to throw them away

Belkin recommends throwing away devices that could otherwise function at an e-waste facility; which is controversial as some of these devices are screwed into the walls of customer homes.

For any Wemo devices you have that are out of warranty, will not work with HomeKit or if you are unable to use HomeKit, we recommend disposing of these devices at an authorized e-waste recycling center.

Belkin continues selling devices that they suggest be thrown away:

In spite of the prior statement, Amazon is still making for sale Wemo items on their Amazon, from smart plugs to light switches. As of 2025-07-13, The WeMo store still displays the following, while making no mention of support ending on January 30, 2026:

WORKS WITH:

WORKS WITH Amazon alexa

Works with Apple homekit

Google Assistant

works with nest

ifttt

• 
  Belkin Wemo smartplug still for sale on amazon after Belkin announced that it will be ending support for this product entirely.
• 
  Belkin light switch still for sale on amazon after they announced that the product will no longer retain full functionality in less than six months.
• 
  Belkin claiming on their amazon Wemo store that their devices work with a wide variety of platforms from Amazon alexa, apple homekit, google assistant, nest, etc. in spite of the fact that they have already announces that they will not work at all six months from now.

Belkin's response

Belkin suggested that some customers may be eligible for a partial refund if they have a proof of purchase & are within warranty. For those who are not in warranty, Belkin recommends disposing of the devices at an authorized e-waste recycling center.

Consumer response

Customers were aggravated to find out that Belkin would not be offering firmware updates or local control options for discontinued products as loss of cloud control defeats the purpose they were purchased for.

The end of cloud support for Belkin’s WeMo products received backlash on forums & technology news sites. Many customers expressed aggravation at the loss of functionality; especially for devices that were still working & previously more expensive in the smart home space.

Arstechnica comments

In response to Belkin's recommendation that wemo devices be disposed of at an e-waste recycling center, `ReaderBot` suggested the following:

" I recommend boxing them up and shipping them directly to Belkin corporate headquarters."

Reddit backlash

Reddit users posted their frustration in the r/WeMo thread announcing the shutdown:

"They just guaranteed I'll never buy Belkin again. Half the light switches in my house are going to need replacing."

"At least they did it during Prime Day(s) so you can get suitable replacement (like Kasa) for a relative steal."

"I figured it's made by a trusted brand so it would be better than using no name Amazon junk. What a joke... Belkin is never getting a dollar from me again."

Some called for transparency and options:

"It would be great if they released a firmware update to allow it to be setup/controlled locally at least. Or open source the firmware."

Others drew parallels to digital game preservation campaigns:

"Just like cloud based games & the Stop Killing Games campaign, there probably needs to be something similar for IoT."

Technology press commentary

Ars Technica’s Scharon Harding said the shutdown left "a long list of WeMo products that relied on the app...non-functional" & framed Belkin’s move as a reflection of an industry that "has grown too comfortable with bricking customers’ stuff" without offering recourse or transparency.

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