How to Pair Bluetooth with Alexa

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 17, 2022 Tested

For the First Time

|

Using Voice Commands

|

Tips

This wikiHow teaches you how to pair your smartphone with Alexa using Bluetooth so you use your Alexa device as a Bluetooth speaker. Using Bluetooth is also a better way to listen to podcasts, since Alexa's podcasting skills are currently a bit lacking. Connecting a device for the first time requires a bit of setup, but after it has been connected you can reconnect quickly just using your voice.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

For the First Time

1
Turn on your phone's Bluetooth. Open your smartphone, open the settings app and go to the Bluetooth settings.
- On Android: Open Settings
  , tap Connected Devices, then tap the switch to the 'ON'
  position.
- On iOS: Open Settings
  , tap Bluetooth, then tap the switch to the 'ON'
  position.
2
Make your device discoverable. Sometimes this is called "pairing mode" on some devices. Most phones are automatically discoverable after enabling Bluetooth in the Bluetooth Settings page.
- If you are trying to pair some Bluetooth speakers or something without a screen, consult the manual to learn how to put it into pairing mode.
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3
Open the Alexa app. The icon is a blue speech bubble with a white outline.
4
Tap ☰. It's the three-line icon in the upper left corner.
5
Tap Settings. It's the second to last option near the bottom.
6
Tap your Alexa device. Select the Alexa device, such as the Echo, that you want to pair your phone with.
7
Tap Bluetooth.
8
Tap Pair a New Device. It's the large blue button. The Alexa app will search for nearby Bluetooth devices.
9
Tap on your device name when it appears. When you see the name of your phone or device, tap it and it will pair with your Alexa device and connect to it.
- Once paired, you can connect and disconnect to it just using your voice without using the Alexa app.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Voice Commands

1
Say "Alexa". Say the wake command to wake Alexa and she will begin listening for your next command.
- The default wake command is "Alexa," but if you've changed it to "Echo," "Amazon," or some other command, then use the wake command you previously set.
2
Ask Alexa to pair with your phone. Say, "Alexa, pair Bluetooth," and Alexa will connect to the device. Alexa will only connect to a device it recognizes that was paired using the Alexa app first.
- If there is more than one Bluetooth device available that Alexa recognizes, Alexa will usually try to connect to the one it connected to last.
3
Ask Alexa to disconnect from your device. Disconnect by saying, "Alexa, disconnect," and Alexa will disconnect from any connected Bluetooth devices.
- You can also use "unpair" instead of "disconnect."
4
Use the Alexa app if you have troubles connecting. If you have more than one Bluetooth device and have trouble connecting to a specific one with the voice command, use the Alexa app to select the device you want to connect to.