A silent countdown is nearing its end for owners of Wemo smart devices. This Saturday, January 31st, marks a critical turning point – the day a vast network of connected home technology will begin to lose its intelligence.
Belkin, the company behind Wemo, announced last summer its intention to discontinue cloud support for the majority of its smart products. This isn’t a gradual phasing out; it’s a definitive switch-off, rendering many devices reliant on the cloud functionally limited.
Imagine a smart plug that no longer responds to voice commands, a light switch stuck in a single position, or a remotely controlled appliance suddenly offline. That’s the reality facing owners of over two dozen Wemo products, including space heaters, coffee makers, baby monitors, and more.
The core issue lies in the reliance on Belkin’s cloud servers. Once those servers are deactivated, the devices lose the ability to connect and respond to remote control or automated schedules. For most, the only solution is a complete replacement.
However, a glimmer of hope remains for those invested in Apple’s ecosystem. Seven Wemo devices – specific light switches, a bridge, a dimmer, and a couple of plugin switches – are compatible with Apple HomeKit. But there’s a crucial catch.
To utilize HomeKit functionality, you need a unique setup code for each device. And, ironically, retrieving those codes requires the Wemo app… which is also scheduled to go offline this Saturday. Securing those codes *before* the deadline is paramount.
A select few Wemo devices – four models including a smart light switch, scene controller, smart plug, and video doorbell – are built on the Matter standard with Thread connectivity. These devices are exempt from the shutdown and will continue to function seamlessly with compatible controllers.
Belkin’s decision, while unsettling for consumers, wasn’t entirely unexpected. Following its acquisition by Foxconn in 2018, the company significantly scaled back its Wemo product line, signaling a shift in focus.
The company stated its commitment to innovation over the past decade, but acknowledged the need to concentrate resources on other areas of its business as technology rapidly evolves. This move represents a strategic realignment, effectively signaling Belkin’s exit from the broader smart home market.
While Belkin may offer partial refunds for devices still under warranty after January 31st, the application process won’t begin until *after* the cutoff date. For now, the immediate priority for Wemo owners is assessment and, if necessary, swift action to preserve their smart home functionality.
