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How to Set Up Amazon Alexa – Getting Started
Amazon Alexa is a cloud-based software that acts as a voice-enabled virtual assistant. So, in a nutshell, you can command Alexa with your voice, and it will respond candidly, assuming the answer exists or implement a command assuming the request can be made.
While Alexa-enabled devices can tell you the time and play internet radio and music, categorizing them merely as glorified clock radios significantly underestimates their capabilities, Alexa offers a wide range of features, from home automation to providing news updates, making it a versatile addition to any smart home setup.
Alexa’s capabilities extend far beyond basic tasks, encompassing control over smart lighting, door locks, security cameras, and various kitchen appliances. This versatility makes Alexa a central component of smart home ecosystems.
With thousands of skills, Alexa is getting smarter with each passing day, and it’s capable of tracking our fitness, remotely controlling our smart appliances, playing games, and so much more. So, let’s look at several steps you should take when setting up an Alexa-enabled device.
The Steps for Setting Up Your Alexa-Enabled Device Include the following:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa App on your device. You can get it on the Apple App Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users if you don’t have the app.
- Next, sign in to your Amazon account. To sign in, enter your email address, phone number, and passcode. If you don’t have an Amazon account, click on “Create a New Amazon Account ” and follow the subsequent instructions.
- Then, select your name from the list of users. If you can’t see your name, click on “I’m someone else” and sign up as a new user.
Sign up
4: Next, plug in your Alexa device to a power outlet.
5: In the Alexa App, click on “More.” You will see this option on the bottom-right end of your screen.
6: Next, click on “Add a Device.”
Add Device
7: The app will show you the various types of devices that work with Alexa. But in this case, we are setting up an Echo device, so click on “Amazon Echo.”
8: Click “Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, and more.” This option is under “Echo Smart Speakers.”
Select Your Alexa Device
9: Ensure the light ring on your device is showing orange light. The app will ask if your device is plugged into power and is in setup mode. Click on “Yes” if you’ve done this.
10: Next, select your device name from the list of “Available Devices.”
Select Your Device Name
11: On the next screen, select your Wi-Fi, enter your passcode, and click “Continue.” If you’re having an issue linking Alexa to Wi-Fi, ensure your router is functional. Also, Amazon endorses setting up your Alexa device within 30 ft. of your router.
12: Next, select the room your Alexa device is situated in and click on “Continue.”
13: Finally, enter your home address to allow Alexa to give you personalized results. After setting up the device, Alexa will say, “Your Echo is ready.”
Setup Location
How to Setup Location On Alexa-Enabled Device
Now that you’ve informed the Alexa App where your device is situated in the house, you can also enter your geographical location.
Of course, you can skip this process if you’re worried about your privacy.
However, you should know that entering your location enables Alexa to give accurate weather and traffic results when you ask for them.
It’s a pretty straightforward process, and the steps include:
- If you have already saved your geographical location in your Amazon account, for instance, when shopping on the Amazon platform, you can use this address. Just choose the location and click on “Continue.”
- If you haven’t saved the location or you want to use a new one, proceed to click on “Enter a new address.”
- Decide whether your location is a home or work address, or enter a personalized label for your device’s location and click “Next.”
That completes the essential part of an Alexa device setup. Since you’ve already created a voice profile during the setup process in the Alexa App, you don’t have to teach your Alexa device what you sound like.
Note: After setting up Amazon Alexa and enabling location access in the app, you can stream music through your smart speaker. Remember, the default music service is Amazon Music, but you can customize this in the app settings to use other services like Spotify or Apple Music. Remember, when you ask for a specific track, it will automatically play on Amazon Music. To use Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music, you must go to the settings and change the default music app.
Final Thought
All in all, now that you know how to set up your Alexa device, you can have some fun with Alexa. As it is, you can modify Alexa to respond with the jargon used in your country. In addition, Alexa can also be customized to respond to the voice of some celebrities.
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