Logitech to disable Pop smart home buttons on October 15
Logitech has announced that it will render its Pop smart home buttons inoperable starting October 15, 2025, turning the devices into e-waste for early adopters. The company launched the buttons in 2016 as a $100 starter pack for quick smart home controls. As compensation, affected customers receive a 15 percent discount coupon on select products.
Logitech introduced its Pop switches in August 2016, offering users quick access to smart home actions via customizable buttons. Each button could store three actions, such as launching Philips Hue lighting presets, playing Sonos playlists, or controlling Lutron blinds, by connecting to devices on a shared Wi-Fi network. The system was managed through a dedicated Android or iOS app, with the starter pack priced at $100 and add-on switches at $40 each.
On September 29, 2025, Logitech emailed customers notifying them of the end of support. The email stated: "As of October 15, 2025, your POP button(s) and the connected hub will no longer be supported and will lose all functionality." A company spokesperson told Ars Technica: "For close to a decade we have been maintaining the POP ecosystem, but as technology evolves, we have made the decision to end support for this device."
The compensation includes a 15 percent off coupon valid in the US until March 31, 2026, applicable to some Logitech products like Ultimate Ears speakers but excluding Pro or RS racing wheels, videoconferencing items, the Logitech for Business line, and newly released products. The spokesperson did not address concerns about e-waste, the short notice, or potential local use post-shutdown.
User reports indicate deteriorating performance over the past two years, with issues integrating Pop buttons with the app, Logitech's Harmony Hub, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit. Logitech ceased Harmony remote manufacturing in 2021 and ended support for first-generation models in March. The company's smart home commitment has waned since acquiring Intrigue in 2004 for $29 million and launching products in the 2000s hype. CEO Hanneke Faber last year suggested de-emphasizing Circle doorbells, and no new smart home products have launched since 2020.
This discontinuation highlights broader smart home challenges, where even established firms like Logitech struggle with long-term support, underscoring the benefits of local control to avoid bricking devices.