Want to boost the audio from your Alexa device? Or maybe you want to play music from your phone through your Alexa speaker? Connecting your Alexa device to a Bluetooth speaker, or using your Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker, is a great way to expand its functionality and sound quality throughout your home. This guide will walk you through the easy steps to connect your Alexa-enabled device to a Bluetooth speaker, and also how to use your Alexa speaker to play audio from your smartphone or other devices.
Preparing to Connect Alexa to a Bluetooth Speaker
Before you start the pairing process, a little preparation will ensure a smooth and successful connection between your Alexa device and Bluetooth speaker.
- Proximity is Key: Ensure your Bluetooth speaker is within close range of your Alexa device. For the most reliable connection during pairing, keep both devices within 3 feet (approximately 1 meter) of each other. This close proximity helps to establish a strong initial Bluetooth signal.
- Enter Pairing Mode on Your Bluetooth Speaker: Your Bluetooth speaker needs to be discoverable. This is usually achieved by activating “pairing mode.” For most Bluetooth speakers, this involves pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds. Alternatively, some speakers have a dedicated Bluetooth button that you need to press and hold. You’ll typically know your speaker is in pairing mode when you see a flashing light, often blue, indicating it’s ready to connect to a new device.
Important Notes Before Connecting:
- Audio Output Switch: Once you successfully connect a Bluetooth speaker to your Alexa device, all audio will be routed through the Bluetooth speaker. You will no longer hear sound directly from your Alexa device itself. If you’re interested in whole-home audio, where music plays on multiple Alexa devices simultaneously, explore our guide on setting up multi-room audio with Alexa.
- Alexa Voice Control Limitation: Keep in mind that while connected to an external Bluetooth speaker, you will still interact with Alexa through your Echo device for voice commands and questions. The external Bluetooth speaker only handles audio output, not voice input for Alexa.
Step-by-Step Guide: Connecting Alexa to Bluetooth Speakers
The most common scenario is to connect your Alexa smart speaker to an external Bluetooth speaker to enhance audio output. Here’s how to do it using the Alexa app:
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Launch the Alexa App: Start by opening the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. If you don’t have it yet, download it from the Apple App Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android devices.
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Navigate to “Devices”: Look at the bottom menu bar of the Alexa app. Tap on the “Devices” icon. This will take you to a screen where you can manage all your Alexa-compatible devices.
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Select Your Alexa Device: On the Devices screen, you’ll see a list of your Alexa devices. Find the specific Alexa speaker (like an Echo Dot, Echo, or Echo Show) that you want to connect to the Bluetooth speaker. Tap on the name of your Alexa device to open its settings.
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Access Bluetooth Connection Settings: Scroll down through your Alexa device’s settings until you find the “Bluetooth Connections” section. Underneath this heading, tap on “Connect a Device.” This option initiates the Bluetooth pairing process.
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Choose Your Bluetooth Speaker: The Alexa app will now scan for available Bluetooth devices in pairing mode. You will see a list of “Available Devices.” Locate your Bluetooth speaker in this list and tap on its name to select it. If you’re unsure about the device name, check the bottom or back of your Bluetooth speaker for a model number or name that might appear in the list. In our example below, we are connecting to a speaker identified as “CK 207.”
Once you select your Bluetooth speaker, the Alexa app will handle the pairing process. This might take a few moments. Once paired, you should hear confirmation through your Bluetooth speaker (if audio prompts are enabled on your speaker).
Reconnecting in the Future:
The next time you wish to use your Bluetooth speaker with Alexa, simply say, “Alexa, connect my speaker.” Alexa is usually smart enough to automatically re-pair with the last Bluetooth speaker it was connected to, provided that speaker is turned on and within range. Your Bluetooth speaker itself might also automatically reconnect when it’s in proximity to your Alexa device and powered on.
How to Disconnect Alexa from a Bluetooth Speaker
If you want to revert back to using your Alexa device’s built-in speaker, disconnecting the Bluetooth speaker is straightforward. You have a couple of options:
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Voice Command: The easiest method is to simply use a voice command. Say, “Alexa, disconnect my speaker.” Alexa will then disconnect from the currently paired Bluetooth speaker, and audio output will return to your Alexa device.
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Alexa App Disconnection: Alternatively, you can disconnect via the Alexa app:
- Open the Alexa app and go to “Devices.”
- Select your Alexa speaker from the list.
- Go to “Bluetooth Connections.”
- You should see your connected Bluetooth speaker listed. Tap the arrow or settings icon next to its name.
- Choose “Disconnect Device” or “Forget Device.” “Disconnect Device” will temporarily disconnect, allowing for easier reconnection later. “Forget Device” will remove the pairing entirely, requiring you to go through the pairing process again if you want to reconnect in the future.
Using Your Alexa Speakers as Bluetooth Speakers
In addition to sending audio from your Alexa to a Bluetooth speaker, you can also use your Alexa device as a Bluetooth speaker to play audio from other devices like your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Here’s how to set up this reverse connection:
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Enable Bluetooth on Alexa: Start by telling your Alexa device, “Alexa, turn on Bluetooth.” This puts your Alexa device into Bluetooth pairing mode, making it discoverable by other devices.
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Connect from Your External Device: Now, go to the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, computer, or tablet.
- On a Smartphone (iPhone or Android): Open the Settings app and find the Bluetooth settings.
- On a Computer (Windows or Mac): Access Bluetooth settings through the system settings or control panel.
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Select Your Alexa Device: In your device’s Bluetooth settings, look for “Available Devices.” Your Alexa speaker should appear in the list. It will often be listed with a name starting with “Echo” followed by a model identifier (e.g., “Echo Dot-XYZ”). Select your Alexa speaker from the list to initiate pairing from your phone/computer to the Alexa device. Alexa will usually provide an audible confirmation when the pairing is successful.
Connecting Alexa to Your iPhone (or other Smartphones) for Music Playback
Let’s focus specifically on connecting your Alexa device to your iPhone to play music or other audio content directly from your phone through your Alexa speaker.
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iPhone Bluetooth Settings: On your iPhone, open the “Settings” app and tap on “Bluetooth.” Ensure Bluetooth is toggled on.
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Locate Your Alexa Device: Your iPhone will begin scanning for Bluetooth devices. Scroll down in the Bluetooth settings screen, and you should see your Alexa speaker listed, likely under a section called “Other Devices” if it’s the first time you’re connecting. Alexa device names usually begin with “Echo” and are followed by a unique identifier of letters and numbers. Tap on your Alexa device’s name to select it for pairing.
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Play Audio from Your iPhone: Once your iPhone and Alexa device are paired, you can start playing music or any audio from apps on your iPhone. To direct the audio to your Alexa speaker:
- Within Music Apps (like Spotify, Apple Music): Look for the AirPlay or Bluetooth icon within the music app’s playback controls. Tap this icon, and a list of available output devices will appear. Select your Alexa speaker from the list.
- System-Wide Audio Output: For general audio output from your iPhone, you can also use the AirPlay or Bluetooth options available in the iPhone’s Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen (or swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones) to access Control Center, and look for the audio output controls to select your Alexa speaker.
Now you can enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, and more, streamed from your iPhone and played through the (potentially superior) speaker of your Alexa device.
(Product Recommendations – Optional, could be removed to meet constraints if needed)
Looking to enhance your Alexa audio experience? Consider these popular Alexa devices:
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Charcoal
All-new Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) | Smart display with 2x the bass and clearer sound |…
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