How to sign out of all devices after activating by code

Why code-activated devices stay signed in

When you enter an activation code on your phone, the service gives the TV its own long-lived sign-in. The TV never learns your password, so changing what is on your phone does not touch it, and switching the TV off does not sign it out. That session stays valid until one of three things happens: someone chooses Sign out on the device, you remove the device from your account online, or the service ends the session itself, for example after a password change where you ask it to sign out everywhere. (For the background, see what an activation code is.)

That is convenient at home, but it matters when you sell or give away a TV, check out of a holiday rental, use a console at a friend's place, or simply notice an unfamiliar device on your account.

Option 1: sign out on the device itself

If you still have the device in front of you, this is the cleanest route.

1. Open the app on the TV, stick, console or projector.
2. Go to its settings or profile menu. Look for Settings, Account, Get help, or the gear icon. Many TV apps keep it at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
3. Choose Sign out and confirm. The app returns to its welcome screen, usually showing a fresh activation code.
4. Repeat for each app you signed in to. Each app holds its own session, so logging out of one streaming app does not log you out of the others.

Uninstalling the app or doing a factory reset of the whole device will also wipe the local sign-in, but it may still leave the device listed on your account until the service notices it has gone quiet. Signing out first, then removing the app, is tidier.

Option 2: remove a device from your account online

If the device is out of reach - sold, lost, left behind in a rental - sign it out from a phone or computer instead. Nearly every service that supports code activation also offers a device or access page in its account settings. The names vary: Manage devices, Devices, Recent device activity, Manage access and devices, or Security. Three well-documented examples:

• Netflix: the Manage Access and Devices page lets you sign out of a single device or choose Sign Out of All Devices at the bottom of the page. Netflix notes that new devices can take time to appear there and that devices not used for a long period may not be listed. See Netflix's own article, How to sign out of a device.
• Google Account (used for YouTube and many TV sign-ins): open your Google Account, go to Security, find Your devices and select Manage all devices, then pick a device and choose Sign out. Google's help page also explains that one device can show several sessions. See See devices with account access.
• Microsoft account (used on Windows PCs and Xbox): the devices page at account.microsoft.com lets you remove a PC you no longer use, and a separate content page lets you unlink devices that count toward the Microsoft Store download limit. See Manage devices used with your Microsoft account.

For any other service, open the official website or app you normally use, go to Account or Settings, and look for the device or security section. If you cannot find it, the service's own help centre will have an article; search it for "sign out of devices".

Option 3: change your password and sign out everywhere

A device page only shows what the service chooses to show. If you suspect someone else is using your account, or you cannot account for every device, the stronger step is to change your password on the official site and tick the option to sign out of other devices when it is offered. That ends every existing session, including ones that are not listed. Then sign back in, by code or directly, only on the devices you actually use. Netflix's account security guidance recommends exactly this combination if you see activity you do not recognise.

A quick checklist for common situations

• Selling or giving away a TV or streaming stick: sign out of every app on it, then factory reset it, then check your accounts' device pages a day or two later.
• Leaving a hotel or rental: sign out on the TV before you go. If you forget, use the device page or sign out of all devices from your phone the same day.
• A friend's console or a shared family TV: sign out when you are done, or remove the device online later. Our game console guide covers the console side.
• An unknown device on your list: remove it, change your password with sign-out-everywhere selected, and turn on two-step verification if the service offers it.

Signing out safely: what not to do

Removing devices is free and self-service on every legitimate service. You do not need a technician, a phone call, remote-access software or a paid plan to do it. If a website, pop-up or caller offers to "deactivate" or "reset" your devices for a fee, or asks you to read out an activation code or password, treat it as a scam and close it. Activation codes in particular should only ever be typed by you, on the official address shown on your own screen. Our guide to whether it is safe to enter an activation code lists the red flags, and how device code sign-in works explains why a code someone else sends you is dangerous.

Once your old devices are cleared, signing back in is quick: follow the streaming app activation steps, or use one of the code-free sign-in options.

Related situations

Travelling? Our guide to streaming on a hotel TV covers signing in safely and signing out before you leave. If a new TV will not play because of a device limit, see too many devices streaming.