No matter what kind of Alexa-enabled device you have, it can seem like your Amazon gadgets have unlimited functionality.
Amazon refers to their Echo line as “Smart Speakers,” but did you know that they’re traditional Bluetooth speakers, as well?
When you connect your Amazon Echo to your phone, iPad, or computer via a Bluetooth feature, you can use it as a traditional Bluetooth speaker to play your favorite tunes at full volume. This option is notably useful since Echo devices, particularly the Dot, are known for their high-quality speakers.
How can you connect your Amazon to your phone via Bluetooth?
Does this process change with your phone’s manufacturer?
Are there any catches to using an Amazon Echo as a Bluetooth speaker?
So far, we haven’t found anything to complain about yet- our Echo Dot is that good as a Bluetooth speaker.
Read on to learn all of the great tips and tricks that we’ve found!
How To Connect An Amazon Echo To Your Phone
Thankfully, connecting your Amazon Echo to your phone is particularly easy.
If you’ve ever connected a Bluetooth device to your phone before, whether it’s a speaker, headset, or lightbulb, it’s the same process!
However, if you’re unfamiliar with the process, don’t worry! We will outline it for you.
There are two main steps involved in setting up a Bluetooth connection:
- Setting up the connection on your phone’s end
- Preparing your Amazon Echo for pairing
Of course, the process is a little more involved, but it’s not much more- it’s still two fundamentally easy steps.
Set Up Your Phone
First, you should set up your phone to accept Bluetooth devices.
This process will involve turning your Bluetooth settings on if you haven’t done so already.
If you have done so, it’s remarkably easy to connect to your Alexa.
Either way, we will walk you through the whole process.
While it will differ between phone manufacturers, there are marked similarities to keep in mind!
Apple Products
Thankfully, the process to connect to Bluetooth devices is nearly universal among Apple products.
Whether you want to connect your Amazon Echo to an iPhone, iPad, Macbook, or even an old-school iPod, there’s not much of a difference!
Apple’s iOS maintains uniform names and settings across its menu for your convenience.
Use the following steps to enable Bluetooth connectivity:
- Open the Settings app.
- Select the “Bluetooth” option.
- Toggle Bluetooth to the “On” position. The toggle will turn blue when active.
- Scroll down to locate new devices, such as your Amazon Echo!
Android Products
While Apple products are universally similar, Android products are the exact opposite.
Different manufacturers will adjust the Android software to provide more options for consumers to purchase.
The wide variety in manufacturers means that names and locations in the settings can differ, and as such, the process to enable Bluetooth might change.
However, as a whole, the process should resemble the following.
Consult your phone’s user manual if this process does not seem to match your phone.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select “Connections.”
- Select “Bluetooth.”
- Toggle Bluetooth into the “On” position.
- Tap the resulting button to scan or pair a new device. The wording on this may differ between manufacturers and software versions.
Activate Pairing On Your Echo
The next step, and possibly the easiest, is to activate pairing on your Echo device.
You can activate pairing by saying one of the following phrases:
- “Alexa, pair.”
- “Alexa, Bluetooth on.”
Your Alexa should flash its blue light to indicate a searching action.
You can now select the Amazon Echo from your phone.
Congratulations! You can now play your preferred audio through your Amazon Echo.
How To Connect An Amazon Echo To Another Bluetooth Device
Alternatively, you can connect a Bluetooth device to your Echo.
If you want to hook your Alexa system up to a stronger, higher-quality speaker, or listen to your music in silence with headphones, you don’t need to add your phone!
Once pairing is active on your Amazon Echo and a selected Bluetooth device, use the following steps to connect the pair:
- Open the Alexa app
- Select “Devices”
- Select “Echo and Alexa” and pick the Echo unit you want to use
- Select “Connect a device” to add your preferred Bluetooth speaker
In Summary
We love our Alexa for a lot of reasons- its strong capability as a Bluetooth device is certainly not the least of them.
With an easy setup and versatile utility, we think that the Amazon Echo is the perfect tool for Bluetooth functionality, no matter which end of the connection they sit on!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can My Amazon Echo Dot Run Independently?
If you have multiple Alexa-capable devices in your home, you probably have them set up in an interconnected web to support the convenience of a smart home.
However, sometimes, you don’t want to play your music throughout your entire home- you’ll want to use your Amazon Echo independently!
The good news is that your Amazon Echo can run independently of any other device in your home.
However, you cannot have two Amazon Echos using the same software independently.
Imagine you want to listen to your favorite songs on Spotify.
You can have this music playing through all of your speakers or just one.
If somebody else wants to listen to music on your home Alexa system, they’d have to use another program, such as Amazon Music, through another Alexa-enabled device.
Can I Use My Amazon Echo Dot Without Alexa?
If you can’t use your Alexa functionality for any reason, whether it’s personal comfort or a lack of internet, don’t worry- you can still use your Amazon Echo!
However, you should be cautious.
Without any Alexa functionality, an Echo device amounts to nothing more than a default Bluetooth speaker.
You will lose much of the activities associated with Alexa, along with all of the verbal commands- you must manually input your music controls via the buttons on your Echo Dot or the menu on your smartphone.
If you are fine with using your Echo Dot exclusively as a Bluetooth speaker, you don’t need to have Alexa active at all!
