topic Remove 3rd party device from google home app in Home Automation

Remove 3rd party device from google home app

adevries40 — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 17:53:22 GMT

I'm trying to remove a smart things switch from my google home app.

I'm using an android phone. I'm signed into my google account from that phone.

I had to replace the switch because it failed so I removed it from smart-things, replaced the switch and connected it to the smart things hub. The new switch shows up in google home, and it can be controlled from google home and google assistants. HOWEVER the old switch also shows up and I cannot figure out how to remove it.

I've tried opening the app on my phone, selecting the device and, clicking the gear Icon, but the only options are Help or Feedback.

I've tried the settings Icon at the bottom of the screen, entering "devices and groups", selecting the room the switch is in, entering "Choose Devices" and have tried to un-check the old switch, but they still both show up, and the old switch comes back after I close and re-open the app!

How do I get rid of that old switch?

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

Alex_S — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 14:51:17 GMT

Hi adevries40,

Thanks for posting—let's get this sorted out. If you unlink SmartThings, is the old switch also gone? Try to command Google Assistant to “Sync my devices”, then force close and re-open the Google Home app. If the issue persists, do the steps below:

Unlink SmartThings from the Google Home app.
Uninstall and reinstall the Google Home app and SmartThings app > Log in.
Open the Google Home app > Link SmartThings.
If the issue persists, unlink SmartThings > Create a new home > Link SmartThings > Move the working switch to the original home.

Regards,
Alex

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

adevries40 — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 22:00:15 GMT

Thanks for the reply Alex_S..

It looks like the old switch is gone now from google home. I'll go through the questions you asked just to close the loop for anyone else that may have this problem..

If you unlink SmartThings, is the old switch also gone?

Initially when I un-linked it did not go away, it persisted in the Home app. so I renamed the device "delete me".

Maybe it just took a while to re-sync the devices..? In any event, un-linking smart things and re-linking required me to re-do all of my routines and automations in Google home.. this was painful, so I would not consider doing that again lightly.. (no pun intended)

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

Alex_S — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 17:53:10 GMT

Hi there,

Thanks for the update. That certainly hasn’t been easy for you. We appreciate your efforts in taking those steps. Let me know if I can help you with anything else on Google Home.

Warmly,
Alex

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

mazo22 — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 21:28:21 GMT

Hm same issue with a old TV Box - go to device settings - UNLINK DEVICE is the option - tapping it says - These settings are unavailable right now. Check your Wi-Fi connection (the device cant be moved to an other home) where I could delete it - when creating new home - it is already there... I have no access to the device anymore... cant get rid of it.

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

jeffrey83 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 22:01:23 GMT

I have the same problem. White all apps can't link or unlink them. I have tried everything.

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

SpeedyRalph — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:06:20 GMT

Checking in from 2025, this is still an issue. has anyone ever found a solution?

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

dag1969 — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:39:36 GMT

Hello! I followed all the steps you suggested and still cannot remove smartlife outlets that are no longer linked to smartlife app. I had to change name of those to "not linked" to identify those not in use in Google home app. Isn't there a way to jist delete those devices? They are deleted from smartlife app so why are they still showing up in Google home?

Re: Remove 3rd party device from google home app

phok1ng — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 23:22:11 GMT

Google has basically informed everyone with this problem to pound sand, delete your existing home and recreate a new one.