A discounted smart speaker, camera, or thermostat may look like a bargain. Before you buy, find out how long the maker promises security updates and which features depend on an app or online service.
Start with the exact model
The answer may take more than a glance at a listing. In its 2024 review, FTC staff checked 184 connected products. Nearly 89% of their product webpages did not disclose the duration or end date of software support. The sample covered many product types and does not establish a rate for every device sold today.
Find the update promise
Search the manufacturer’s support site for the exact model and generation plus “security updates” or “end of support.” Check the specifications, support policy, and release notes. A similar name may refer to a different generation with a different schedule.
Read what the promise covers. Security updates address security issues. Feature updates, app compatibility, repairs, and customer service can follow different timelines. A warranty for a defective product is not necessarily a promise to maintain software for the same period.
If the policy says a number of years, find its starting point. It may start when the model first went on sale, not when you buy your unit. For a discounted older model, some of that period may already have passed.
Read a minimum date carefully
For example, Google’s connected-home security table lists launch dates, minimum five-year dates, and a separate column for whether a device currently receives critical security updates. Google says its Nest connected-home devices receive automatic security updates for at least five years from their first sale on the US Google Store.
A minimum date is a floor in that stated commitment, not necessarily the last update. The same table can show a past minimum date and a current “Yes.” Check both columns and any later support notices. A current “Yes” also does not promise a specific future end date.
Check the services behind the features
A device can depend on several separate pieces: its own software, a phone app, an account, your home network, and the company’s remote service. Ask what happens if any one is unavailable. “Works offline” is most useful when the maker names the exact functions that remain.
Service shutdowns can have practical effects. Google’s Nest Secure notice says that system no longer connects to its cloud service or works in the Nest app. It also says users can no longer check its status or receive notifications in that app. This is one product’s outcome, not a forecast for other devices.
For a camera, distinguish live viewing, recorded video, alerts, and remote access. For a thermostat, ask whether local temperature controls and existing schedules work without the service. For a lock, ask about the physical key or keypad and whether remote access depends on a hub. Confirm the answer for the exact model.
Compare the whole ownership experience
Access
- Is an account required for setup or everyday control?
- Can another household member use the device?
- Does your phone meet the app’s requirements?
Cost and continuity
- Which features require a subscription, and what is its price?
- Can you export recordings or settings?
- What does the seller allow you to return?
Apps have their own requirements. For example, Google lists account and mobile device requirements for its Home app. Check the current requirements for the device you are considering, including the phone or tablet that will manage it.
Do not assume that a lower upfront price includes the functions you want. Compare the device price with any recurring charge for the period you expect to use it. Check whether the useful feature remains available without the paid plan.
Keep your records and check updates
Record the model
Save the model number, receipt, and support page or written answer. Recheck the policy because the maker may revise it.
Set up updates
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for automatic updates or for checking them manually. Keep the companion app current too.
Test the features you need
Within the return window, check setup, household access, and the features you expect to use. Test offline behavior only where the maker’s instructions make that safe and practical.
A device that still works is not proof that it receives security fixes. Conversely, a past minimum date does not prove updates stopped. Check the maker’s current status and release notes before deciding whether to keep, replace, or return it.
Source notes
Checked November 2, 2026: Google connected-home security update table.
FTC staff perspective on smart device support disclosures. November 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Does a support date mean the device stops working that day?
Not necessarily. A minimum update commitment can end while updates continue. A separate service shutdown may affect features. Check the maker’s current notice for the specific model.
Are security updates the same as new features?
No. Security updates address security issues. A maker may offer feature updates, app support, and customer service under different terms.
What if I cannot find a support date?
Ask the manufacturer for a written answer for the exact model. If the answer remains unclear, treat the support duration as unknown and compare that uncertainty with your needs and the return terms.
Does a subscription keep a device supported?
Do not assume it does. Check the subscription terms and the separate software update policy. A paid plan may cover services such as recording rather than a security update commitment.