Far from being just a smart speaker for playing music or setting timers, Alexa has evolved into a versatile smart home hub with over 100,000 skills. The ultimate goal of Alexa and devices like the Amazon Echo is to simplify your daily routines and enhance convenience in your home. Imagine a world where you no longer have to fumble for the remote buried deep within your couch cushions. That’s the reality Alexa offers – the ability to turn on your TV, change channels, and even search for your favorite shows, all with simple voice commands.
Many users are still discovering the full potential of Alexa’s capabilities when it comes to home entertainment. While the setup process is straightforward, the initial learning curve might deter some from fully utilizing these features. With tens of millions of Echo devices sold in 2020 alone, representing a significant portion of the smart speaker market, according to Statista, there’s a huge audience eager to unlock the hands-free TV control that Alexa provides. This guide will walk you through the easy steps to connect Alexa to your TV and start enjoying voice-activated entertainment.
Simple Steps to Connect Alexa to Your TV
Setting up Alexa to control your TV is a remarkably simple process that should only take a few minutes of your time. The key is to use the Alexa app on your smartphone.
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Launch the Alexa App: Begin by opening the Alexa app on your mobile device. You’ll find the ‘Devices’ icon located at the bottom of the screen. Tap on ‘Devices’ to proceed.
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Add a New Device: Next, look for the ‘+’ icon, usually located in the top right corner of the ‘Devices’ screen. Tap ‘+’ and then select ‘Add Device’ from the options presented.
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Choose TV as Device Type: From the list of device types, scroll down and select ‘TV’. This indicates to Alexa that you are setting up a television device.
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Select Your TV Brand: Alexa will now present a list of smart TV brands. Choose the brand of your smart TV from this list. If you are unsure, check the back of your TV or your TV’s packaging for the brand name.
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Follow App Instructions: The Alexa app will now provide specific on-screen instructions tailored to your TV brand. Carefully follow these instructions to complete the setup process. This might involve enabling specific skills on your TV or linking your Amazon account to your TV’s smart platform.
Alexa seamlessly integrates with a range of Amazon devices, including Amazon Echo devices and the Amazon Fire TV family. This compatibility extends to devices like the Fire TV Stick with built-in Alexa, Fire TV Cube, Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show, including previous generations of these products. Beyond Amazon’s ecosystem, Alexa also works with smart TVs from other leading brands. We’ll explore some of these compatible brands further below.
Essential Alexa Commands for TV Control
Once connected, you can start using voice commands to control your TV. While specific commands might vary slightly depending on your TV brand and set-top box, here are some common and useful commands to get you started:
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Basic On/Off Control: “Alexa, turn on the TV” / “Alexa, turn off the TV” – These are the most fundamental commands and the ones you’ll likely use most often.
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Launch Streaming Services: “Alexa, open [streaming service name]” – For example, “Alexa, open Netflix” or “Alexa, open Hulu.” This command will launch your desired streaming app directly on your smart TV.
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Volume Adjustment: “Alexa, turn the volume up” / “Alexa, turn the volume down” – Control the volume without reaching for the remote. You can also be more specific, like “Alexa, set volume to 50.”
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Channel Changing: “Alexa, change the channel to [channel number or name]” – For instance, “Alexa, change the channel to NBC” or “Alexa, change the channel to channel 7.”
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Playback Control: “Alexa, play” / “Alexa, pause” / “Alexa, stop” / “Alexa, rewind” / “Alexa, fast forward” [TV show, movie]” – Control playback of content with ease. For example, “Alexa, pause the movie” or “Alexa, rewind the show.”
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Content Specific Playback: “Alexa, watch [TV show] on [streaming app]” – Directly command Alexa to play a specific show on a particular streaming service. For example, “Alexa, watch Stranger Things on Netflix.”
Beyond these basic commands, you can also explore more advanced functionalities like navigating menus, launching other applications, adjusting settings, and searching for specific content using your voice.
Exploring More Ways to Control Your TV with Alexa
There’s a diverse ecosystem of Alexa-compatible devices that can enhance your TV control experience. If you already own some of these devices, you might be closer than you think to achieving complete hands-free control of your television.
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Fire TV Stick with Built-in Alexa: This compact streaming stick simply plugs into an HDMI port on your TV, instantly adding smart capabilities. While it supports numerous Alexa commands, it’s worth noting that for some commands, you might need to press the microphone button on the remote, making it not entirely hands-free in all scenarios.
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Fire Edition TVs and Alexa-Compatible TVs: Any Echo device, including the Echo Dot and Echo Show, can connect seamlessly to Fire Edition TVs (manufactured by brands like Toshiba and Insignia) or TVs with native Alexa compatibility (such as models from Samsung, LG, and Sony). You can easily link your Alexa device to these TVs through the Alexa app on your smartphone, unlocking voice control.
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Smart Home Hubs for Infrared (IR) Control: If you have an older TV that isn’t a smart TV, or if you want to control your TV’s power function with Alexa and another Alexa device like an Echo or Echo Dot, you might need a smart home hub. These hubs act as adaptors, converting the signals from your Alexa device into infrared signals that your TV can understand for basic on/off control.
Once you have Alexa controlling your TV, you can further explore the vast world of streaming and internet content.
Which TV and Streaming Brands Work with Alexa?
The list of platforms that are compatible with Alexa is continuously expanding, ensuring greater flexibility for users. Here are some of the major brands and platforms currently supported:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Roku
- Xbox
- Sony
- Samsung
- Vizio SmartCast
- Altice One
- Verizon Fios
- NVIDIA Shield TV
- Philips
- Panasonic
- TCL
- Logitech Harmony
This broad compatibility ensures that regardless of your TV or streaming device preference, there’s a good chance Alexa can integrate seamlessly into your home entertainment setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I control my TV with Alexa?
You can control your TV with Alexa by connecting it through the Alexa app and then using voice commands.
Can Alexa be used to control a smart TV?
Yes, many modern smart TVs come equipped with Alexa voice command capabilities.
Can Alexa turn on my TV?
Yes, Alexa is capable of turning your TV on and off, among many other functions.
How do I connect my TV to Alexa?
Many smart TVs have Alexa built-in, but you can also manage your TV through the Alexa app by following the device setup instructions.
Alexa, what should I watch?
If you’re unsure what to watch, you can ask Alexa for recommendations on Amazon Fire TV and receive a curated list of suggestions.
Can I use my phone as a remote?
Yes, you can use your mobile phone as a remote control for your TV. You’ll need to download the appropriate TV remote app or streaming app to get started.
Written by:
Lisa Iscrupe
Writer, Broadband & Data Content
Edited by:
Robin Layton
Editor, Broadband Content
