Getting to Know the Alexa App
You can use the Alexa app to configure Alexa for use on any Echo device. You can also use the Alexa app as a freestanding digital assistant, just as you would Siri on an Apple iPhone.
When you open the Alexa app you should see the home screen. If not, tap the Home icon at the bottom of any screen. The Home screen is a good starting point for using Alexa, with quick links to your most recent activities, your to-do list, your shopping list, and more common tasks.
The other icons at the bottom of the screen take you to other useful screens:
Communicate, for Alexa’s voice and video calls, photo sharing, Drop In, and Announcement functions Play to play music and podcasts on your phone or other Echo devices Devices to manage any connected smart home devices More to access a full range of Alexa functions, including Lists & Notes, Reminders, Alarms & Timers, Routines, Skills & Games, Settings, and more
Using the Alexa App On Your Smartphone
Here’s how it works.
From the Home screen, tap the big blue Alexa button at the top of the screen. The screen dims, and you see a blue bar at the bottom of the screen. Alexa is now listening for your command. Speak your command or question into your phone. Unlike speaking into an Echo device, you don’t have to preface your command with “Alexa. . . " Just speak your command or question without the wake word.
Alexa now performs the requested task or answers your question, both verbally and onscreen. Not sure what to ask Alexa? Here are some great Alexa voice commands everyone should know.
Issuing Commands and Questions via the Keyboard
If you’d prefer not to speak your command or question, you can type it, instead. After you tap the blue Alexa button, you see a keyboard icon above the blue bar at the bottom of the screen. Tap this icon to display a question screen and your phone’s on-screen keyboard.
Type your question or command and tap the blue up-arrow or your keyboard’s Enter key. Alexa displays its response on-screen only.
Communicating with Other Echo Devices
You can use the Alexa app on your phone to communicate with your other Echo devices, even if you’re not at home, through the Drop In and Announcements functions.
Start by tapping the Communicate button to display the Communication screen. To drop in on another Echo device, tap Drop In then select the device on the next screen. You now connect, and the app displays the Drop In screen. Talk to the other device as normal and tap the red hang up button to end the call.
To make an announcement to all your Echo devices, tap Announce from the Communication screen. You can speak the announcement, by tapping the blue microphone button, or type the announcement using your phone’s on-screen keyboard. If you type the announcement, Alexa will make the announcement in its voice.
Making a Voice or Video Call from Your Phone
From the Communications screen, tap the Call icon. You now see your phone’s contacts list, with your favorite contacts at the top. Tap the contact you want to call and Alexa displays three options:
Playing Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks
You can use the Alexa app to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks on any Echo device in your home. You can also use it to play content on your phone.
Start by tapping the Play icon to display the Entertainment screen. You see several rows of tiles, for your recently played items and for each music service to which you’re subscribed. Tap a tile to go directly to that item, or click Browse or Open App to view more content.
You now get to choose where you want to play that content. You can choose to play content on a specific Echo device, on all your Echo devices (Everywhere), or on This Device. If you tap This Device, playback starts, and you see playback controls at the bottom of the Entertainment screen.
Making Lists
Want to create a to-do list or shopping list, or access a previous list you’ve created on one of your Echo devices? You can do this in the Alexa app.
Tap More > Lists & Notes to display the LIsts & Notes screen. Your existing lists are displayed here. Tap a list to view its contents and add new items. To create a new list, tap Create List, give the list a name, and start adding items.
Setting an Alarm
Just as you can set an alarm from any Echo device, you can also do so from the Alexa app. Start by selecting More > Alarms & Timers, then select Alarms. Your most recent alarms are listed.
You can turn on a previous alarm or tap Add Alarm to set a new one. If you set a new alarm, you also select which Echo device you want the alarm to sound on. You can also select to get the alarm on the Alexa app.
Controlling Smart Home Devices
Finally, you can use the Alexa app to control all of your Alexa-compatible smart home devices. Just tap the Devices icon to display the Devices screen, then tap the device you want to control.
