This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Using the Alexa App
Even though Alexa lets you control your Echo device via voice commands, there’s also a lot of behind-the-scenes configuration that you can do by voice. That’s one of the reasons why Amazon created the Alexa app for your smartphone, to let you configure and control Alexa when necessary.
Tour the Alexa App
The Alexa app is relatively simple and easy to use, and you won’t need to use it much. But it’s good to know what’s there and why and how to use it, if you need to. To that end, here’s a short tour.
Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. (It’s available for Android, Apple iOS, and Fire OS devices; the step-by-steps in this chapter use the Android version.)
The Home screen displays cards that reflect specific commands or activities that Alexa has completed; the most recent is shown first. Scroll down to view additional cards.
If you’ve been playing music on your Echo device, a now playing pane may appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap the Play button to resume playback, or tap the Volume button to change the volume level.
For some cards, Alexa would like to know how well she performed. If Alexa heard you right, tap Yes. If Alexa had a problem, tap No. Alternatively, tap Less to not display this section.
Tap the Menu (three-bar) button to display the left navigation panel.
Tap Now Playing to display the Now Playing screen. From here you can control playback of items you’ve played through your Echo; view items in the queue, and view recently played items (History).
Tap Music & Books to view details about and control specific music and book services connected to your Alexa account.
Tap Lists to view and edit your shopping and to-do lists.
Tap Timers & Alarms to manage the timer and alarm volume, and select alarm sounds.
Tap Skills to view and add skills to Alexa.
Tap Smart Home to view and control smart devices with Alexa.
Tap Things to Try to get suggestions of fun and useful things you can do with Alexa.
Tap Settings to view and configure additional Alexa settings.
Link Accounts from Other Services
Alexa gets more powerful when you link her to other services that you use. You can link Alexa to your accounts with streaming music services, online calendars, and online to-do lists.
- From within the Alexa app, tap the Menu button to display the left navigation panel.
- Tap Settings to display the Settings screen.
- Scroll to the Accounts section and tap Music & Media.
- Go to the account you want to add to Alexa and then tap Link Account.
- If you already have an account with this service, tap the Log In button or link and then follow the onscreen instructions to log in to and link to this account.
- If you don’t yet have an account with this service, tap the Sign Up button or link and then follow the onscreen instructions to create a new account.
- Return to the Settings screen, scroll to the Accounts section, and then tap Calendar.
- Tap the tile for the calendar you’d like to use with Alexa.
- Tap Link Your Calendar Account to link this account, and then follow any additional onscreen instructions to log on to your calendar account and complete the process.
- If you want to link to a third-party to-do list service, in addition to the lists feature built-into Alexa, return to the Settings screen, scroll to the Accounts section, and then tap Lists.
- Tap Link for the to-do list account you want to link to, and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
