Connecting your Amazon Echo to a Wi-Fi hotspot, like the one on your phone, is entirely possible. This allows you to use Alexa even when a traditional Wi-Fi network isn’t available. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for connecting your Echo device to your phone’s hotspot.
Connecting Your Echo to a Hotspot: A Step-by-Step Guide
While Echo devices with screens offer a simplified Wi-Fi connection process, connecting to a hotspot on a screenless Echo requires a slightly different approach. Here’s a detailed guide:
Initiating Setup Mode on Your Echo
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Power on your Echo: Ensure your device is plugged in and powered on.
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Activate Setup Mode: Press and hold the action button (the one with the dot) until the light ring turns orange and begins to pulsate. Alexa will confirm, “Now in setup mode. Please follow the instructions in your Alexa app.”
Activating setup mode on an Amazon Echo.
Connecting Through the Alexa App
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Open the Alexa App: Launch the Alexa application on your smartphone. It may automatically detect the Echo in setup mode. If so, tap “Continue.”
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Manually Add Device (If Necessary): If the app doesn’t automatically detect your Echo:
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner to open the menu.
- Select “Add Device.”
- Choose “Amazon Echo,” then select your specific Echo model. The process is generally the same for all models.
Selecting your Echo model in the Alexa app.
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Confirm Orange Light: The app will prompt you to confirm if you see the orange light on your Echo. Tap “Yes.” The app will then attempt to connect to the Echo’s temporary setup Wi-Fi network.
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Manual Connection (If Necessary): If the app fails to connect automatically:
- Go to your phone’s Wi-Fi settings.
- Select the network named “Amazon-XXX” (XXX represents a unique code).
- Tap “Connect.” You may need to approve a connection request on some Android devices due to the lack of internet access.
Connecting to Your Phone’s Hotspot
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Select Hotspot Option: Once connected to the Echo’s setup network, the Alexa app will display available Wi-Fi networks. At the bottom, you’ll find the option “Use this device as a Wi-Fi hotspot.” Tap this.
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Enter Hotspot Credentials: Enter your phone’s hotspot network name (SSID) and password exactly as they appear, paying close attention to case sensitivity.
Entering your phone's hotspot credentials in the Alexa app.
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Activate Hotspot: The app will then instruct you to enable your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot.
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Confirmation: The Echo will connect to your hotspot. A tone will sound, and the orange light ring will turn off, indicating a successful connection. You can then use Alexa normally.
Confirmation of successful connection in the Alexa app.
- Finalize Setup: Tap “Continue” in the app. You can skip the room assignment step. You may be prompted to enter your location for location-based services.
By following these instructions, you can successfully connect your Amazon Echo to your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot and enjoy Alexa’s functionality wherever you have cellular data coverage.
