Moving out is a whole thing. You’re juggling finals or work, packing your entire life into boxes, and trying to figure out how you ended up with three coffee makers. With so much going on, your tech can easily be lost or damaged. But don’t worry, Pitt IT has your back! Follow these friendly, no-stress tips to protect your devices, stay organized, and make sure everything makes it to your new home in one piece.

Before You Pack

Back It Up

Before you start unplugging, back up your files to the cloud (you get 5 TB of free OneDrive storage until you graduate). Be sure to save cave class notes, work projects, and anything important so it’s safe in case of damage or loss. Learn how to back up with OneDrive here.

Snap a Pic of Your Setup 

If you’ve got a complicated setup (dual monitors, gaming console, printer), take a photo of the wiring before disconnecting. This makes it easy to recreate your setup later without the guesswork.

Charge First, Pack Later 

Fully charge your laptop, phone, tablet, and portable chargers before packing. You’ll be glad you did if you need to use them on the road—or can’t find your cords right away.

Pack a Tech Essentials Bag 

Keep your must-haves within reach, including your laptop, portable charger, headphones, your ID, and any other devices you’ll need during the move. Carry this bag with you instead of letting it disappear in the back of a truck.

Be a Clean Freak

Dirt and dust can damage your devices’ inner workings when wrapped and jostled. First wipe them all down with a gentle electronics cleaning wipe. Then use some compressed air or a vacuum to carefully clean out the ports, fans, exhaust, drives, and other exposed areas — like those pesky crumbs in your keyboard.

Pack Like a Pro

Unplug Everything

You may think that it’s easier to just keep your cords plugged into your devices, so they don’t get separated and you don’t have to remember where it plugs in. But this is the No. 1 way that ports and plugs break! It’s a huge stressor on the connectors to be jostled and crammed while plugged in, so unplug all cords and pack them separately.

Bag & Tag Remotes and Cords 

Remotes and cords seem to have a knack for vanishing during a move. To keep them safe, place these small tech accessories in a separate bag or box that is clearly labeled – try something like “REMOTES + CHARGERS”. Loosely roll up cords and label them based on the device they belong to and what it’s for, e.g. “TV to Cable Box cord”. No more guessing which black cord goes with what later!

Wrap It and Pack It 

Screens, consoles, and fragile tech need extra love to prevent cracked screens, scratched monitors, or broken laptops. Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or even soft clothing to generously cushion devices. Label boxes clearly with large writing and bold markers if they contain electronics. (Bonus points for writing “fragile” on all sides!) Write what’s in each box and which room it belongs in for easier unpacking.

Truck Tips

Avoid stacking boxes containing electronics at the bottom of the truck or under other heavy boxes – place tech items on top. Even better, pack them in your personal vehicle if possible. Make sure that everything stays in place, and the boxes with devices and electronics won’t shift or fall in transit.

Other Considerations

Work With Your Service Providers

If you purchased your own router or modem, be sure to bring it with you. If your router or cable box came from the Wi-Fi/cable provider, then you’ll need to return the equipment to them when you discontinue or transfer your service. It’s best to call the carrier to set up service in your new location in advance, so you don’t spend a week offline. Schedule them to come by the first day you can access the property.

Reset Shared Devices and Accounts

Roommates help keep costs down and are great company. But when you move out, you should make sure that only you have access to accounts or equipment that are in your name. Sign out of your accounts on smart TVs, speakers, or shared computers. Consider resetting devices to factory settings if needed to protect your privacy. Also be sure to change the password for any accounts you’ll no longer be sharing, like your Amazon, Netflix, or Disney+ accounts.

Recycle Old Tech Responsibly

If you're not taking it with you, do the planet a favor and dispose of electronics properly. Don’t dump your old laptop, charger, keyboard, or even batteries in the trash. Use Pitt’s electronic recycling resources or look up your local e-waste drop-off center.

Get Tech Support While Moving

Whether you’re packing up or setting up somewhere new, the Technology Help Desk can support you during your move.  Having trouble accessing Pitt resources remotely? Need to re-download free software?  Forgot your Pitt password? We’re just a click or call away! Head on over to pi.tt/help to get help by phone, chat, or submitting a ticket.

Happy Moving, Panthers!

Stay safe, stay organized, and don’t forget to follow these tech tips for a seamless moving process!