Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Guides

How to set up a preowned Echo Show smart display

By

If you've been gifted someone's old Echo Show device or purchased a preowned one off the web, there's a chance that your device is still home to its previous owner's personal data. In a perfect world, the old owner would have wiped their info before passing it along to you – but if that didn't happen, or if you just want to ensure you're working with a clean device, there's an easy way to perform the reset yourself.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • Echo Show

Here's how to set up a preowned Echo Show smart display, including how to perform a factory reset and get the device running like it's brand new. Keep in mind that the process might vary slightly depending on whether you're using an Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, or Echo Show 15, but the general steps are largely the same.

The Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.
Amazon

How to set up a preowned Echo Show

It only takes a few extra steps to ensure you're working with a clean Echo Show, so if you purchased a preowned unit, it's worth your time to follow the procedure laid out below.

Step 1: Plug in your preowned Echo Show.

Step 2: Let the screen turn on. This could take a few seconds.

Related

Step 3: With the screen on, press and hold the Mute button and Volume Down button for around 15 seconds. You'll eventually see the Amazon logo flash on the screen.

Step 4: Release the buttons, and the Echo Show will start performing its factory reset.

Step 5: Pick your language, connect to Wi-Fi, log in to your Amazon account, and follow the rest of the prompts.

Step 6: Once these setup steps are done, you'll be greeted by your standard Echo Show home screen. From here, you'll be able to connect other smart home devices or update your system as needed.

Step 7: That's all there is to it! Your preowned Echo Show is officially cleared of its previous owner's settings and is now running with just your settings. If you ever plan to get rid of the device, you can follow the same steps to remove your personal data. You should also consider deregistering it from your Amazon account.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Can Alexa call 911? How to set up Alexa for emergencies

If you've got an Alexa in your home, you can use it for more than just alarms and playing music. The device can help out in an emergency, allowing you to get in contact with help if there's an unexpected crisis. In 2023, Amazon announced it was adding an Emergency Assist feature to the device, which is a paid service to help a user connect to an agent who will call 911 for them. The device can't call 911 directly, but it can put you in touch with someone who can call on your behalf and give out key information to emergency responders.

If you don't want to try Emergency Assist, you can also try setting up an Echo Connect box to your landline (if you can find one, as these products are no longer available) to call for you, or using an Alexa skill like Ask My Buddy. There are also other security features you might want to try out on your Alexa like Alexa Together, a subscription for assistance for older adults.
Set up Alexa Emergency Assist

Read more
Echo Show 8 vs. Echo Show 10: is the bigger device a better smart display?
The Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.

Amazon has an impressive roster of smart displays, but few are as popular as the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10. The Echo Show 8 is now on its third generation, offering an HD display and a small footprint that's great for most homes. The Echo Show 10 is also on its third generation -- though it's much larger than its sibling and comes with a few exclusive features.

But is the bigger smart display better? Both products share much of their spec sheets, and it's not immediately evident that the Echo Show 10 does enough to deserve its hefty price. Here's a look at the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10 to help you determine which is best for your needs.
Pricing and design

Read more
What is IFTTT and how can you use it in your smart home?
A bunch of colorful shapes on a black background.

If you've spent any time shopping for smart home gadgets, you've probably noticed that many are built with support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home. These are smart home platforms, and they let you access all your devices through a single app or interface. You've probably also noticed support for something known as IFTTT. But what exactly is IFTTT? And is it something you should be concerned with? Here's a closer look at the unique (and incredibly useful) software.
What is IFTTT?

IFTTT stands for, "if this, then that." It's terminology often used in programming, allowing software to chain together functions and perform certain tasks if other tasks are detected. For example, if the user inputs the incorrect password, then they'll be notified to try logging in again.

Read more