Creating the perfect playlist for any mood or occasion is easier than ever with the help of a virtual assistant. But Can Alexa Make A Playlist? The answer is a resounding yes, with a few caveats. This guide will walk you through the process of creating and managing playlists using your Amazon Echo and Alexa.
Apple Music Alexa screenshot and Echo Spot
Choosing and Connecting a Music Streaming Service
The first step to creating playlists with Alexa is choosing a compatible music streaming service. Amazon Prime members have access to Prime Music, a library of over two million songs and pre-made playlists. For a more extensive catalog, Amazon Music Unlimited offers over 50 million songs. Both services integrate seamlessly with Alexa, offer ad-free listening, and allow unlimited skips.
Alexa also supports other popular services like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and SiriusXM. To use these, you’ll need to enable the corresponding skill in the Alexa app and link your account. This allows Alexa to access your existing playlists and create new ones based on your preferences.
Syncing Your Music Service with the Alexa App
For Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited, no further setup is required. However, if you’re using a third-party service like Spotify or Apple Music, you’ll need to link your account through the Alexa app.
Open the app, go to Settings, then Music & Podcasts, and select Link New Service. Choose your desired service and follow the on-screen instructions to log in and authorize Alexa to access your account.
Creating Your Playlist with Alexa
Creating a playlist with Alexa varies depending on the music service. With Amazon Music, you can simply say, “Alexa, create a new playlist.” Alexa will then ask for the playlist name. Once named, you can add songs.
Adding songs, however, is less straightforward. Currently, Alexa can only add songs to Amazon Music playlists if a song is already playing. You can say, “Alexa, add this song to my playlist.” Alternatively, you can manually add songs through the Amazon Music app or website.
For Spotify and Apple Music, creating playlists directly through voice commands with Alexa isn’t currently supported. You can still manage and add songs to your existing playlists using their respective apps or desktop platforms.
Enjoying Your Playlist on Your Echo Device
Once your playlist is ready, listening on your Echo is simple. For Amazon Music playlists, say, “Alexa, play my playlist.” For other services, specify the service: “Alexa, play my playlist on Spotify.”
Amazon Echo 2nd gen
Alexa Playlist Creation: In Conclusion
While Alexa’s playlist creation capabilities are fully realized with Amazon Music, integrating other popular services offers a broader range of options. By following these steps, you can leverage Alexa to craft personalized playlists for any occasion, enhancing your music listening experience. Whether it’s a dinner party, a workout session, or simply relaxing at home, Alexa can help you set the perfect mood with music.
