Look for a published support end date on the product page, the box, or the manufacturer's support site, and treat it as a use-by date. In the UK, makers must state it. If you cannot find a date anywhere, assume the device may stop getting security fixes soon and weigh that in your decision.
Why the date matters more than the feature list
A smart plug, camera or doorbell is a small computer on your home network. Like any computer it will have bugs, and the fixes only arrive as software updates. Once the maker stops shipping them, every newly found flaw stays open for the life of the device.
The UK National Cyber Security Centre puts it plainly: check how long the manufacturer will support a device before you buy, and avoid devices that are out of support or will be soon. It suggests thinking of the support end date as a "use by" date that shows how long the device is safe to use.
Where to look
Start with the places a maker is most likely to put it.
- The product page near the specifications, often under a heading such as security updates or software support.
- The box or the printed quick start guide.
- The manufacturer's support or security pages, which sometimes keep a table of products and end dates.
- The companion app, in the about or device information screen.
Under UK law since 29 April 2024, manufacturers of covered consumer products must publish the minimum security update period, as an end date or length of time, in terms a non-technical reader can understand. Retailers and importers share the duty to make sure the product is compliant. So for products sold in the UK, a missing date is a red flag in itself.
What if there is no date
Outside the UK the rule may not exist, and many products still say nothing. You have a few options.
- Ask the maker's support team by email and keep the reply.
- Check how the company has treated older products. Do they still ship updates for devices that are several years old?
- Prefer a model with a clear commitment over a cheaper one with silence.
- If you buy anyway, plan to replace the device on a schedule you choose, not one the maker chooses for you.
An unknown support period does not mean no support. It means you cannot plan around it, and that has a cost.
A quick way to compare two devices
Put the end dates side by side next to the purchase date. A device with three years of support left is a different purchase from one with eighteen months left, even if the price is the same. Write the end date on a note in your password manager or calendar, so that the day it arrives you remember to retire or replace the device.
When the date arrives
Do not wait for a breach. Before the end date, plan the swap: factory reset the old device, remove it from your accounts, and set up the new one with automatic updates on. The related guide on selling or giving away devices covers the reset steps.
Quick check
Is a support end date the same as a warranty?
No. A warranty covers hardware faults. The support period covers how long the maker commits to providing security updates, and the two can differ.
Does the UK rule apply if I buy from a shop in another country?
The UK regime covers products made available to UK consumers by manufacturers, importers and distributors. If you buy abroad, the date may not be published, so ask the seller.
Sources
- NCSC: Smart devices, using them safely in your home
- GOV.UK: The UK product security regime
- GOV.UK: Regulations, consumer connectable product security
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
