'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
How to unlink your Echo device from your Amazon account (so it's safe to give away or sell)
Echo Dot
A few weeks ago, I showed you how I replaced my second generation office Echo Dot with a fifth generation unit to add a digital clock and a temperature sensor. Despite how mundane it seems to add a digital clock, it was actually a big thing to me, because I've been using my phone, computer, and Alexa to tell time for years now. I don't think I've had a clock in the house since 2014.
Also: I forgot how useful digital clocks can be
But now I have an extra Echo Dot that doesn't have a home; I want to sell it or give it to a friend. The gotcha, of course, is that the Dot is deeply tied to my Amazon account. The last thing I want is some stranger (or even a twisted friend) ordering instant underpants (just add water), fish face slippers, Golden Girls socks, or a cat butt tissue holder on my dime.
If, like me, you want to safely get rid of an Alexa device, all you need to do is deregister your Alexa device. Once you do, you will no longer at risk of seeing a nose-picking pencil sharpener (you can't make this stuff up) on your Amazon orders page.
How to deregister your Alexa device
In order to de-register an Alexa device, it has to be powered on and reachable via Wi-Fi. So don't unplug it or remove it from your network until after you've done the deregistration process.
If you have multiple Echo devices, in order to be sure you are removing the one you think you are removing, ask the one you want to remove, "Alexa, what is your device name?" Obviously, if you've changed your wake word, use that word instead of "Alexa." Once you have determined exactly what the unit in question is called, launch the Alexa app on your phone.
1. Click the devices tab
Click the devices tab at the bottom of the Alexa app. Find the device and then hit the gear icon in the upper right.
2. Find the Registered To field
Scroll down on this form until you find the Registered To field, which will likely list your name. Click the Deregister button on the right.
3. Confirm the pop-up
Finally, confirm the pop-up by tapping another Deregister button.
And there you go. You're done.
Check out more strange Amazon finds or our favorite Echo devices here.
You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @DavidGewirtz, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV.