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How to remove or factory reset a Matter device

Removing a Matter device from an app, removing just one platform's connection, and factory resetting the hardware are three different jobs. The short answer: remove the device in the app you no longer want (each app's menu is below), and factory reset it with the maker's instructions only when you're done with it, moving it to another home, or it won't pair again. Keep the setup code first, because Home Assistant says you'll need it to add the device again after a reset.

Remove, unshare or reset: which one do you need?

Pick the task that matches what you're actually trying to do.

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) explains that a Matter device can be connected to one or more fabrics at a time, each managed by an administrator, and that apps sometimes call fabrics "services." That's why Apple's iPhone Settings talk about "connected services" and Home Assistant lists them under "Manage fabrics." None of the platform pages we checked says that removing a device in one app removes it from the others, so treat each app's removal as its own step. If you only want to drop one platform, use that platform's remove option or Home Assistant's Manage fabrics list.

Before you reset anything: keep the setup code

Home Assistant's Matter docs are blunt about this: after a reset you'll need the QR code or numeric setup code to commission the device again, and without it commissioning won't be possible. If the code is only in the documentation that came in the box, Home Assistant recommends snapping a picture of the QR code or numeric code as a backup and storing it somewhere safe. Do this before you remove or reset anything, not after.

Amazon says the Matter QR or pairing code printed on the device or packaging is only for first setup or after a factory reset — the 11-digit codes an app generates for sharing are different and last 15 minutes in Alexa (see our multi-admin sharing guide). Eve says that for devices upgraded to Matter, the Matter Setup Code replaces the HomeKit code, is stored in the Eve app, and is the only way to add the device again after a reset. Apple says paired Matter accessories sync using iCloud Keychain, and removing an accessory from Keychain stops its setup code being stored there. None of the pages we checked explains how to get a new copy of a lost original code from a platform — check the maker's app or support page instead.

Where to remove a Matter device in each app

Each platform has its own remove path, and the menu names below are copied from the platform pages we checked.

The pattern across platforms: Apple, Amazon and Google also point you to the manufacturer for a reset, and Amazon says to remove the device in the maker's companion app as well. The two SmartThings and Samsung pages describe the remove step differently — SmartThings Support says tap and hold the device, while Samsung US Support says tap More options — so use whichever your app shows. Apple's not-responding page adds that if you don't see a remove option in the Home app, you should remove the accessory through the manufacturer's app.

Apple Home and iPhone Settings

Apple gives you two places to manage a Matter accessory: the Home app for day-to-day removal, and iPhone Settings for managing the accessory's connections and Keychain entry. Start in the Home app if the accessory is misbehaving or you want it out of Apple Home.

1. Open the Home app and select the accessory.
2. Scroll down to accessory settings and select Remove Accessory.
3. If you don't see the option to remove the accessory in the Home app, remove it through the manufacturer's app.

For the deeper connection management, Apple's Matter accessories page says you need at least one Matter accessory paired to your iPhone or iPad before the Matter Accessories screen appears. Apple gives the path two ways: Settings > General > Matter > Accessories, or Settings > General > Matter Accessories. Once there, you can tap an accessory to see its serial number and connected services.

• Remove from iCloud Keychain: On the Matter Accessories screen, tap Edit, tap the Delete button next to the accessory, swipe or tap Remove to confirm, then choose Remove from Keychain. This stops the setup code being stored in Keychain.
• Remove from one connected service: Tap the accessory, tap Edit, tap the Delete button, confirm with Remove, then tap Remove From [Connected Service]. Apple says you lose the ability to control the accessory from that service's app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Remove from all connected services: On the Matter Accessories screen, tap Edit, tap the Delete button, confirm with Remove, then choose Remove From All Services. You lose control from every app associated with every service.

For accessories that aren't responding, Apple says to remove them, then follow the manufacturer's instructions to reset them and add them to the Home app again.

Google Home

Google's remove steps are the same whether you're moving the device to a different home or just removing it from the Google Home app. The only difference is what Google recommends you do afterward.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Home, then All devices, then touch and hold your device's tile.
3. Tap Settings (or More), then Remove device.
4. Scroll to find the Remove option, then tap Remove.

Google's Matter setup and management page says to factory reset the device after you remove it if you no longer use it. If you're moving the device to a different home, Google warns that removing it resets the device settings and any Automations or Routines you've set up, and recommends a factory reset before adding it to another home. Google's troubleshooting section also says you may need to factory reset a Matter device and set it up again if setup freezes or fails to complete.

Alexa

Amazon's remove page covers smart home devices in general rather than Matter specifically, but the steps are the ones Alexa users will see. Amazon also asks you to do a second removal in the maker's own app.

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Select Devices.
3. Select your smart home device, then select Settings.
4. Select Trash.
5. Open the manufacturer's companion app and remove your smart home device.

Amazon says you may need to factory reset the device before it can be connected to a smart home hub after removal. Amazon also says you can remove a device from Alexa by resetting it — follow the manufacturer's instructions to reset your smart home device, and that reset removes it from Alexa. If you're sharing the device with another assistant, remember that Amazon says the Matter QR or pairing code on the device is only for first setup or after a factory reset.

SmartThings

SmartThings has two official pages that describe removal slightly differently, so we've included both. Use whichever matches the app you're looking at.

• SmartThings Support's steps: From the Favorites or Devices tab, tap and hold the desired device, select Edit to change the device's name or room, or choose Remove to delete the device. SmartThings Support says some devices may need to be reset or excluded before re-adding them to SmartThings.
• Samsung US Support's steps: Navigate to and open the SmartThings app, tap the Devices tab, select your desired location, select the device, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then tap Remove device, then tap Remove.

SmartThings' Matter integration page says that to remove access you shared with a third-party service, you need to follow that third-party app's steps. The same page adds that each Matter device can only be connected to 5 different services, so if a device is already at 5 you'll need to remove it from one before sharing it again. Its onboarding fix is to reset the Matter device using the manufacturer's instructions and fully restart the SmartThings app, which then asks to remove a connected service. Samsung US Support notes that touchscreen appliances like Family Hub refrigerators may stay logged into your Samsung account until a factory reset clears the information from the appliance itself.

Home Assistant

Like Apple's Matter Accessories screen, Home Assistant gives you a way to remove a device from just one controller while keeping it on others. That's the "Manage fabrics" list, and it's also where you can see which platforms the device is shared with.

1. Go to Settings > Connectivity > Matter and select Devices.
2. From the list of devices, select the device you want to remove from a controller.
3. In the Device info section, next to Share device, select the three dots menu.
4. Select Manage fabrics.
5. From the list, remove the controller of interest. If you want to remove Apple Home, also remove the Apple Keychain entry.

To remove the device from Home Assistant itself, Home Assistant's Matter docs say to select the three dots menu and select Delete. The Manage fabrics list also shows which platforms the device is shared with — for example, if you shared it with Google Home, it lists Google LLC.

How to factory reset a Matter device

No platform page we checked gives a reset procedure — Apple, Amazon, Google and SmartThings all send you to the manufacturer's instructions, and steps differ by product. IKEA says a factory reset clears old data and previous connections so the product can connect again. The table below shows the reset steps that Eve and IKEA publish for products MatterCheck tracks.

These are examples from Eve and IKEA for products MatterCheck tracks, and they apply only to those products — other makers' steps differ. For any other device, use the maker's manual or support page. IKEA also notes that KAJPLATS has its own built-in dimming and doesn't work with a wall or dimming switch, so test it without one attached to a dimmer.

Adding it again after a reset

• Watch the pairing window. IKEA says its smart products are ready to connect for 15 minutes as soon as they're powered on, and a factory reset automatically opens a new 15-minute pairing window.
• Keep your phone close. Home Assistant says Bluetooth is used to pair a device after unboxing or after factory resetting, not to control it.
• Use the original setup code. Home Assistant says you'll need the QR code or numeric setup code to commission the device again, and Amazon says the Matter QR or pairing code on the device is for first setup or after a factory reset.
• If it says "already added," reset it. Apple says an "already added" alert means you may need to reset the accessory — check the manual or contact the manufacturer.
• If re-adding fails after a Matter upgrade, reset and retry. Eve says to reset the device and make sure you're using the correct Matter Setup Code provided at the start of the upgrade. See our pairing problems guide for more fixes.

Moving, selling or giving away a Matter device

1. Remove the device from every app it's in. Check Home Assistant's Manage fabrics list or iPhone's Matter Accessories screen to see the connected services.
2. If you use an iPhone, remove the Keychain entry in Settings > General > Matter Accessories if you don't want its setup code stored in iCloud Keychain.
3. Factory reset the device with the maker's instructions. Google says to factory reset before adding it to another home.
4. Hand over the setup code with the device — the new owner will need it to pair it again.
5. For touchscreen Samsung appliances, Samsung says a factory reset clears your Samsung account from the appliance itself.

Frequently asked questions

Does removing a Matter device from one app remove it from the others?

None of the platform pages we checked says that it does. Apple says removing one connected service loses control from that service's app, and Home Assistant's Manage fabrics list removes only the controller you choose. Treat each platform's removal as its own step.

Does removing a device factory reset it?

Not necessarily — none of the pages we checked says it does. Google separately recommends a factory reset after removal if you no longer use the device. Amazon says you may need to factory reset before the device can connect to a smart home hub.

How do I remove a Matter device from iCloud Keychain?

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Matter Accessories, tap Edit, tap the Delete button next to the accessory, confirm with Remove, then choose Remove from Keychain. Apple says this stops the setup code being stored in Keychain.

Do I need the original QR code after a factory reset?

Home Assistant says yes: you'll need the QR code or numeric setup code to commission the device again after a reset, and without it commissioning won't be possible. Amazon says the Matter QR or pairing code on the device is for first setup or after a factory reset.

How do I reset an IKEA Matter device?

IKEA's general advice is to factory reset by long-pressing the system button for 10 seconds; for smart lights, follow the IKEA Home smart app instructions to turn the light off and on 6 times to a specific rhythm. A factory reset clears old data and previous connections, and a 15-minute pairing window opens automatically afterward.

Why does my device say it's already added?

Apple says that if an alert says the accessory was already added to your home, or it was previously used in another home, you may need to reset it. Check the accessory manual, contact the manufacturer, or visit the manufacturer's website.

What's a Matter fabric?

The CSA defines a Matter Fabric as a private virtual network over which Matter devices, admins and controllers communicate. A device can be connected to one or more fabrics at a time, each managed by a Matter administrator, and apps sometimes call fabrics "services."

More MatterCheck guides

• How to share a Matter device between platforms — the multi-admin steps and 15-minute sharing codes.
• Matter device not pairing? — fixes for "pairing failed" and "already added" on every platform.
• Do you need a Matter hub or Thread border router? — what each platform requires.
• Matter over Thread vs Wi-Fi — what the difference means for range and reliability.
• Matter bridges — how Zigbee devices like Hue and IKEA join Matter.
• Does Apple Home support Matter? — every device type checked.
• Does Google Home support Matter? — every device type checked.
• Does Alexa support Matter? — every device type checked.
• Does SmartThings support Matter? — every device type checked.
• Does Home Assistant support Matter? — every device type checked.
• Matter firmware updates — who delivers OTA updates on each platform and why some devices don't get them.

How we checked

Platform, standards-body and maker pages were fetched 2026-10-19: Apple's Matter page (published 2026-05-07), its not-responding page (published 2026-03-03) and its can't-add page (published 2026-05-12); Google's Matter setup and management page; Amazon's remove-devices and Matter sharing help; SmartThings Support's devices article and Matter integration article; Samsung US's manage-devices page; Home Assistant's Matter docs; the CSA's Matter building-blocks post; and Eve and IKEA support pages. Menu names are as those pages give them and can change with app updates; maker reset steps are the makers' own. See our methodology for how MatterCheck verifies claims.

Last reviewed 2026-10-19. App menus change; if a step doesn't match your app, check the platform's help page linked above.