{"id":123084,"date":"2026-03-14T08:22:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T11:22:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/899384319"},"modified":"2026-03-14T08:22:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T11:22:12","slug":"the-one-smart-tech-step-i-always-take-before-leaving-home-on-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/14\/the-one-smart-tech-step-i-always-take-before-leaving-home-on-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"The One Smart Tech Step I Always Take Before Leaving Home on Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"u-speakableText-p1\">One reason to love <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/the-smart-home-devices-i-kept-using-after-my-reviews-were-done\/\" rel class=\"c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active\"><span>smart home technology<\/span><\/a><\/span> is that it helps both when you&#8217;re at home and when you&#8217;re hundreds of miles away, thanks to app controls. That allows for welcome tricks like <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-smart-locks\/\" rel class=\"c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active\"><span>managing your door lock<\/span><\/a><\/span> for a pet sitter, adjusting <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/energy-and-utilities\/best-smart-thermostats\/\" rel class=\"c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active\"><span>the thermostat<\/span><\/a><\/span> while you&#8217;re on vacation and double-checking <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-home-security-system\/\" rel class=\"c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active\"><span>your security system<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"u-speakableText-p2\">But there&#8217;s one thing I do before all that. This step is necessary before I head <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/my-tested-smart-home-checklist-for-everyone-heading-out-on-vacation\/\" rel class=\"c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active\"><span>out the door on any vacation<\/span><\/a><\/span>, and it ensures everything else works. You need to do it too &#8212; and it only takes a slow walkthrough of your home with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/tech\/mobile\/best-phone-to-buy\/\" target=\"_self\">phone<\/a> in hand. Here&#8217;s what it&#8217;s so important.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/security-checks-i-always-make-when-using-a-vacation-rental\/\" rel class=\"c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active\"><span>9 Must-Do Security Checks When You&#8217;re Heading to a Vacation Rental<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Open all your home apps to check connections and updates<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-large c-shortcodeImage-hasCaption\">\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\"><!--&gt; \n\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"> <img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1\" alt=\"a screenshot of the Aqara app showing cards for security cam views, lights, sensors and more.\" height=\"799.8305084745762\" width=\"1200\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n\n --> <!--&gt;<\/div>\n\n \n \n<figcaption><span class=\"c-shortcodeImage_caption g-inner-spacing-right-small g-text-xxsmall\">\n\n<p>Give your smart home devices a check to make sure they're connected before you go.<\/p>\n\n<\/span> <span class=\"c-shortcodeImage_credit g-inner-spacing-right-small g-outer-spacing-top-xsmall g-color-text-meta g-text-xxxsmall\">Tyler Lacoma\/CNET<\/span><\/figcaption>\n \n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\" class=\"c-adDisplay_container c-pageArticle_ad c-pageArticle_ad-90 g-outer-spacing-bottom-medium c-adDisplay_container_incontent-all-top spaced blank\">--><\/div>\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\"><!--&gt;<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\">--><\/div>\n<p>It sounds simple, but you&#8217;d be amazed how many times I&#8217;ve checked an app remotely only to find that the Wi-Fi connection no longer works because of router or app updates, or that I needed to enable a new firmware upload before I left &#8212; and that&#8217;s not always something you can do remotely. <\/p>\n<p>So, sometime between packing bags and pulling out of the driveway, I do a quick check of all the current home apps I&#8217;m using. It&#8217;s typically enough to open the app and check its Wi-Fi connection and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/quick-fixes-to-troubleshoot-your-smart-home-and-home-security-devices\/\" target=\"_self\">firmware settings<\/a>. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"c-shortcodeImage u-clearfix c-shortcodeImage-small c-shortcodeImage-pullRight\"><a rel href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"c-shortcodeImage_imageContainer\"><!--&gt; \n\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeImage_image\"> <img data-opt-id=758893364  fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1\" alt=\"CNET Home Tips badge; click for more\" height=\"617.3049645390072\" width=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n\n --> <!--&gt;<\/a> --><\/figure>\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\"><!--&gt;<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\">--><\/div>\n<p>If there&#8217;s a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-home-security-camera\/\" target=\"_self\">security camera<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-home-pet-cams\/\" target=\"_self\">pet cam<\/a> I use, I check the live view to make sure it&#8217;s functioning (that usually means everything else on the device is working, too). If it&#8217;s something like a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/the-best-leak-detectors-stop-water-damage-in-its-tracks\/\" target=\"_self\">leak detector<\/a> or motion sensor, popping into the home page to check that the device status is live and reporting is usually enough. For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/regular-vs-smart-thermostats-my-complete-guide-for-newbies\/\" target=\"_self\">smart thermostats<\/a>, I check that the temperature readings are accurate and that I can adjust the temperature from my phone. For devices that are connected to a central platform like Apple Home, I drop in and make sure all of my device tiles are active and working. <\/p>\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\" class=\"c-adDisplay_container c-pageArticle_ad c-pageArticle_ad-90 g-outer-spacing-bottom-medium c-adDisplay_container_incontent-ad-plus-billboard-middle spaced blank\"><!--&gt;<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\">--><\/div>\n<div data-ad-callout=\"Advertisement\"><!--&gt;<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually, this only takes about a minute if everything is working. If an app runs into connection problems or has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/internet\/common-wi-fi-problems-and-how-to-fix-them\/\" target=\"_self\">dropped my Wi-Fi<\/a> and needs to be reset, then I'm glad I checked. I spend a few more minutes reconnecting or updating as needed. Then it's vacation time, and I don't have to worry about devices going silent on me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-location=\"BODY\" class=\"c-shortcodeCommercePromo u-flexbox u-grid-gap-medium g-outer-spacing-bottom-medium\">\n\n<div class=\"c-shortcodeCommercePromo_content u-flexbox-column\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-wireless-home-security-cameras\/\" rel=\"follow\" target=\"_self\" class=\"c-shortcodeCommercePromo_hed g-text-xsmall g-text-bold g-outer-spacing-bottom-xsmall\"><span>Best Wireless Home Security Cameras of 2026: Battery-Powered Protection<\/span><\/a> --> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-wireless-home-security-cameras\/\" rel target=\"_self\" class=\"c-shortcodeCommercePromo_button c-commerceBuyButton o-cnetButton o-cnetButton-primary o-cnetButton-small\">See at CNET<\/a><\/div>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/security\/best-wireless-home-security-cameras\/\" rel=\"follow\" target=\"_self\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"c-cmsImage c-shortcodeCommercePromo_image\"> <img data-opt-id=758893364  decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/one-home-tech-trick-i-always-do-before-leaving-for-vacations\/?ssl=1\" alt height=\"108\" width=\"196\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget an app run-through before leaving your smart home. And if you&#8217;re getting tired of managing that many apps, I have a handy little guide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/home\/smart-home\/how-to-cut-down-on-smart-home-apps\/\" target=\"_self\">on cutting down on home app use<\/a> that you might appreciate, too. Bon voyage!<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\"> <\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/blockads.fivefilters.org\/acceptable.html\"> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; reason to love smart home <span class=\"match\">technology<\/span> is that it helps both &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-123084","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123084","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123084"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123084\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123084"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123084"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}