How to Change Your Alexa Time Zone: A Simple Guide

Setting up your Amazon Echo in the correct time zone is crucial for it to function seamlessly, whether you’ve just moved or are using your device outside of its intended region. A correct time zone ensures accurate alarms, timers, and calendar updates, making your Alexa a truly helpful assistant. While Amazon has made it easier to adjust these settings, users sometimes encounter challenges. This guide provides a straightforward method to change your Alexa’s time zone, ensuring your device operates on your local time.

Amazon Echo devices with world globes illustrating global connectivity, representing how to change Alexa time zone settings for international users

In the past, setting up an Amazon Echo in countries outside the US or UK, like Australia, required workarounds using tools like Chrome Developer Tools. Initially, users had to identify the network request made by the Alexa web app and resend it with modifications. Later, a method using cURL was discovered. However, for many regions, including Australia, a simpler method is now available directly through the Alexa settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your Alexa Time Zone

This method utilizes the Alexa web interface and the “Inspect” tool available in browsers like Chrome to access and modify the time zone settings effectively.

1. Access Your Alexa Settings:

   Begin by navigating to the Alexa web portal at alexa.amazon.com. Once logged in, locate the “Settings” option. Under the “Alexa Devices” section, you should see your device listed at the top. Click on your Echo device to access its specific settings.

Navigating to Alexa device settings: Step 1 in how to change Alexa time zone, showing the 'Settings' menu and device selection

2. Locate Device Location Settings:

   Within your Echo device’s settings, scroll down to the “General” section. Underneath “General,” you will find the “Device location” option. Click on “Edit” next to “Device location” to proceed with changing your time zone.

3. Utilize the “Inspect” Tool on the Country Dropdown:

   In the “Device location” settings, you will see a dropdown menu for “Country/Region.” To access extended options, right-click on this dropdown menu. From the context menu that appears, select “Inspect” (in Chrome) or “Inspect Element” (in Firefox). This action will open the browser’s developer tools, specifically highlighting the HTML code for the country dropdown.

Using Chrome Developer Tools to access hidden time zone options: Right-clicking the country dropdown and selecting 'Inspect' for advanced Alexa time zone change

4. Modify the Country Code in Developer Tools:

   Within the “Elements” or “Inspector” panel of the developer tools, you will see code that starts with <select id="device-location-country". Click on the small arrow to the left of this line to expand the dropdown options in the HTML code.

   You will see a list of <option> tags representing the countries currently available in the dropdown. To add more countries or change your time zone to a region not listed, you will need to edit the HTML directly. Be cautious when editing HTML code.

   • To add a country: Right-click on one of the existing <option> lines and select “Edit as HTML.” You can then add a new <option> line with the correct value and text for your desired country and time zone. For example, to add Australia, you might add: <option value="AU">Australia</option>. Ensure the value attribute uses the correct country code (e.g., “AU” for Australia, “CA” for Canada).
   • To change the time zone directly (if available): Look for attributes related to time zone within the <option> tags or in the surrounding code. If you find time zone settings, you may be able to modify them directly here. However, country selection is often the primary method for time zone adjustment.

5. Select Your Country and Save Changes:

   After modifying the HTML to include your desired country, close the developer tools panel. You should now see your newly added country in the dropdown menu on the Alexa settings page. Select your country, and then scroll down and click the “Save Changes” button.

6. Verify Time Zone:

   To ensure the time zone has been updated correctly, you can ask Alexa, “Alexa, what time is it?” or check your device settings again after a few minutes to confirm the change has been applied.

Conclusion

Changing your Alexa’s time zone is essential for accurate functionality. While Amazon continuously improves the user experience, using browser developer tools provides a reliable method to customize your device’s location and time zone settings, especially for regions that might not be readily available in the standard dropdown. By following these steps, you can ensure your Alexa operates seamlessly in your local time zone, enhancing its utility and convenience. Enjoy your Alexa, now perfectly in sync with your time!