Here’s how to use Alexa on Android smartphones and control Amazon Echo remotely, even when it does not hear our voice commands.
Maybe not everyone knows it, but Amazon Alexa can also be used on Android smartphones, to do everything directly from the phone, wherever you are.
Android users already have Google Assistant and maybe even Bixby (Samsung’s voice assistant), but now that Amazon has made available its voice assistant on Android too, its use can have many advantages.
To use Alexa on your Android device go to the Play Store and look for the Amazon Alexa app, tap the Install button and wait for the download to complete.
Alexa on Android smartphone allows you to use voice commands to contact friends and family by calling or sending messages if they have the app or an Amazon Echo device, and manage the smart home (if you have light bulbs, thermostat and smart appliances). Combined with another Alexa device as a remote control, you can access advanced functions remotely.
How to activate Alexa
Once the Alexa app is installed, it will be necessary to make the configuration.
- To configure Alexa open the application
- Log in with your Amazon account credentials and click Login
- If you do not have an Amazon account yet, select the item Create a new account, then activate it by email and access the app with your email address or phone and password
- Tap on Start
- On the Help Alexa screen to know you, select your profile. Otherwise, select I’m someone else
- When prompted, enter your name and phone details
- Touch Continue to move forward
- Tap Allow if you want to allow Amazon to upload your contacts. If you prefer not to provide this permission, touch Next
- Check your phone number if you want to send and receive calls and messages with Alexa. The app will send you a text message to confirm your number. Tap Continue or Skip if you do not want to use this feature right now.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code you received and touch Continue.
How to customize Alexa
We are now ready to customize the Amazon Alexa app on the smartphone, so that we get the best from the virtual assistant when we use voice commands.
- Open the Alexa app
- Tap Personalize Alexa. If you do not see this option, go to Home, which is below)
- Choose the device on which you want to customize Alexa from the list of available devices. Alternatively, set up a new device.
- Select your preferred settings such as region, time zone and unit of measurement.
To use Alexa’s voice commands on your Android, open the app, touch the Alexa icon and click Allow to allow Alexa to access the microphone. To activate it, from a command or ask a question like “Alexa, how’s the weather today?” Or “Alexa, find the nearest supermarket”.
How to check Amazon Echo from your phone
In the event that your Echo can not hear or recognize your voice you can use your smartphone as a remote control for Amazon Echo to control it remotely, for example to start music. Just say the commands on the phone to send them to Amazon Echo and ask them to perform specific actions using the voice function of the app.
Note: it is not possible to control everything remotely. For example, you can not set a timer or alarm on Amazon Echo using the voice features of the app.
Follow these steps to check Amazon Echo from your iPhone or Android device.
Open the Alexa app on your phone:
- Touch the microphone icon, represented by a blue circle
- Allow the app to access the microphone on your device, if required
- Once Alexa is ready to listen to your command or your question the screen will become darker and a blue line will appear at the bottom. Talk to your smartphone as if you were talking to your smart speaker.