Reclaiming control: How open-source communities are rescuing dead devices

This is the second part of our series on open-source communities and forums that are crowd-sourcing consumer tech support for devices that would otherwise be wasting away in a landfill.

Jakub Zerdzicki | Public Domain

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Open-source communities including Rebble, Home Assistant, and LineageOS represent one of very few forces redirecting unsupported devices out of the world’s fastest-growing waste stream and back into people’s hands, effectively reclaiming functionality and ownership of unsupported devices. This is the second part of our series on open-source communities and forums that are crowd-sourcing consumer tech support for devices that would otherwise be wasting away in a landfill.

Echo Hacking: Reclaiming Alexa Devices

The Amazon Echo and Alexa-enabled devices are prime examples of technology with immense potential for customization and innovation. That potential is unfortunately limited by the restrictive nature of the devices’ proprietary software. For example, users have reported challenges in managing access and personalization across multiple Echo devices within a household, as well as battles with Amazon’s restrictions on which features are available.

Frustrations with the Echo aren’t limited to the especially tech-inclined users who want the ability to fine-tune their device’s capabilities; Amazon has already demonstrated its willingness to brick Alexa-connected devices. In 2020, Amazon deactivated the $200 Echo Look just three years after its initial release. Amazon also rendered the Echo Connect landline adapter nonfunctional in early 2024.

In response to these actions and restrictions, consumers have started an “Echo hacking” movement dedicated to repurposing and extending the capabilities of Echo devices. Several communities have contributed to a knowledge base, including the popular and comprehensive Home Assistant open-source software.

Home Assistant is a free platform designed for smart home automation. It allows users to control and integrate a wide array of devices into a single system, regardless of manufacturer. The Home Assistant community has created solutions to repurpose and enhance Echo devices’ functionality, even when Amazon has ceased support. Home Assistant has also helped protect users’ privacy by processing voice commands locally, ensuring data isn’t sent to external servers.

“Our community has repeatedly seen products’ lifespans cut short for trivial reasons,” said Paulus Schoutsen, founder of Home Assistant and president of the Open Home Foundation. “But our users rarely back down, collaborating to find new ways to restore control, and when that’s not possible, they build a longer-lasting and repairable open-source replacement.”

In the case of Echo devices, community members connect their devices to Home Assistant using custom integrations or third-party software. People typically share these solutions through community forums, detailed guides and open-source repositories. While some technical know-how is helpful, the Home Assistant community is known for its welcoming approach and comprehensive documentation, which make these modifications accessible to a broad audience.

Ultimately, Echo hacking and similar instances of extending the lifespan of smart devices isn’t just about technical prowess—it’s about empowering users to control their devices in practical, day-to-day ways. For example, if Amazon discontinues support for an Echo speaker, hacking can keep it working as a Bluetooth speaker or smart home controller. Plus, it’s cost-effective: Instead of purchasing new devices to integrate with newer systems, users can modify their existing devices to meet their needs.

“Just because a product is ‘smart’ doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced every couple of years,” said Schoutsen. “The Open Home Foundation and Home Assistant prove that long-lasting smart products are not just possible—they’re what millions of people genuinely want.”

LineageOS and the Democratization of Smartphones

LineageOS is a free and open-source operating system based on Android, designed to breathe new life into smartphones that their manufacturers no longer support. It evolved from CyanogenMod, a groundbreaking Android-based operating system that once challenged Google’s control over the Android ecosystem by offering features and customization options that base-model Android lacked. In 2015, reportedly, more than 50 million people ran CyanogenMod on their phones.

After CyanogenMod ceased operations at the end of 2016, the project was rebranded as LineageOS. LineageOS currently supports more than 200 device models and has been installed on more than 1.5 million devices worldwide. Its extensive compatibility makes it an essential tool for users with aging smartphones, enabling them to access up-to-date software even after official manufacturer support ends. Like many other community-created open-source operating systems, Lineage also prioritizes privacy by providing users complete control over app permissions and eliminating unnecessary pre-installed software, maximizing device storage, speed, and security.

The project thrives on contributions from volunteers worldwide. The r/LineageOS subreddit serves as a hub for discussions, troubleshooting and user engagement, exemplifying the collaborative ethos of open-source communities.

LineageOS is more than just an operating system—it’s a statement about user empowerment and the right to control one’s technology. By extending the life of devices, enhancing privacy, and fostering community collaboration, LineageOS embodies the principles of sustainability and autonomy that movements such as Designed to Last and Right to Repair aim to uphold.

Plan for Longevity, Not Obsolescence

These open-source success stories serve as proof of what’s possible when people feel empowered to reclaim ownership of their technology. 

“One of my personal favorite things to see with this project is novice developers working with more experienced team leaders to make real, lasting contributions that they can point to and say ‘I did that!’” wrote David J. Groom of Rebble (covered in our previous article on open-source communities). “The community is thriving, growing, with new innovations, unbridled enthusiasm, and an incredibly bright future.”

Yet, these stories also highlight the critical need for systemic change. The tools and solutions offered by these communities should not be the last resort for users—they should be the default standard of support.

It’s the responsibility of manufacturers to design products that last as long as their users want them. Too often, companies decide it is easier or more profitable to abandon their devices, forcing consumers to either discard still-functional technology or rely on technical workarounds to preserve it. Every device, no matter how niche, is valuable to someone. Whether it’s a Pebble smartwatch, an Amazon Echo, or a Spotify Car Thing, people’s favorite devices deserve to keep working long after their manufacturer has moved on.

At the heart of PIRG’s Designed to Last and Right to Repair campaigns is this philosophy: Individuals should have both the tools and the freedom to maintain and repurpose their devices. By advocating for policies including right-to-repair laws and corporate compliance with consumer protections, we can return to a world where expensive technologies last for decades, and where ownership truly means control. This vision isn’t limited to niche devices such as IoT gadgets. It extends to smartphones, laptops, household appliances, and any other device that should remain functional for years—not end up as e-waste the moment a company decides to withdraw support.

You shouldn’t have to be a tech expert to keep your devices functional or maintain ownership of the technology you paid for, nor should you have to seek out open-source advice or remedies. With better policies, better design, and a focus on sustainability and waste-reduction, this can become a reality for everyone.

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Authors

Stephanie Markowitz

Designed to Last Campaign, Associate, PIRG

Steph works on the Designed to Last Campaign, where she conducts policy outreach to build expert and public support, researches industry wide product disposability, and writes about the cycle of disposability and manufacturers' role in unnecessary consumer spending and e-waste. She lives in the New York suburbs with her family and spends her free time doing the crossword, scrolling through Goodreads, and following the cat from room to room.