A method and system for replacing a first wireless node in an IoT system includes determining, by the first wireless node, that the first wireless node needs imminent replacement. The determination may be made, for example, based on a battery of the first wireless node being below a threshold level. The first wireless node initiates a discovery protocol for a second wireless node installed in proximity to the first wireless node, the second wireless node installed to replace the first wireless node. Upon discovery of the second wireless node, the first wireless node transmits a configuration file to the second wireless node, which the second wireless node copies to a storage of the second wireless node. The second wireless node configures itself to operate as a replacement for the first wireless node in the IoT system, based at least in part on the copied configuration file.