Make the most of your Alexa device and smart home by using Amazon Alexa commands
What is Alexa?
Alexa is the name of Amazon’s virtual assistant, just like how Siri is synonymous with Apple devices. Alexa is built into Amazon smart home devices, like the Echo Dot, Echo Show, Amazon Firestick, and more. And while Alexa enabled devices have a wide range of capabilities, Alexa has the ability to do so much more — from completely customizing your smart home experience to offering up super fun Alexa games: just use Amazon Alexa commands.
What are Amazon Alexa commands?
Amazon Alexa commands are vocal instructions you say to wake up your Alexa device and perform specific tasks. Voice commands usually start with “Alexa, …” or “Echo, …” and are followed by the task you want your virtual assistant to complete. You can customize your wake word in less than 30 seconds if you don’t want to use either of these options.
The rest of the Alexa command depends on what you’re asking Alexa to do, and whether you’ve enabled a skill or are using built-in functionality.
How to use Amazon Alexa commands
As mentioned above, all you need to do to use an Alexa command is start by dictating your wake word, followed by any instruction compatible with the skill you’re trying to use.
If you haven’t enabled any skills, or want to see what skills you currently have enabled, follow the instructions below. You can also visit the VoiceBrew guide to the best Alexa skills for some more ideas!
How to enable Alexa skills
Once you find a skill you want to try out, try “Alexa, enable (insert name of the skill).”
If that doesn’t work, you can easily enable skills directly from your browser as you search Amazon. Simply find the skill you’d like to add, then click “Enable” on the skill’s page.
Alternatively, you can add Alexa skills from your Amazon Alexa smartphone app. Here’s how:
- Open your Alexa app
- Tap the Hamburger icon
- Tap/click “Skills & Games”
- Find a skill by clicking the search icon or search by category
- Tap/click “Enable to Use”
Find out which skills are enabled on your Alexa device
Ever wonder which skills you’ve already enabled? It’s easy to find out. Here’s how:
- Open your Alexa app
- Tap the Hamburger icon
- Tap/click “Skills & Games”
- Tap/click “Your Skills”
From this screen, you’ll be able to see which skills you have enabled, which have been recently updated, and which need your attention. If a skill needs your attention, it’s likely because you need to create or link an external account in order for a skill to work.
If you’re not sure what commands are recognized by your skill-of-choice, simply reference the skill page on the Amazon website. Just search for the skill you’re trying to use, and you’ll see a list of ways you can verbally tell Alexa exactly what you’d like to do.
What are some of the more popular Amazon Alexa commands?
Keep in mind that there are built-in Alexa skills, and those that can be added based on which devices or skills lend themselves to your daily habits. For example, out of the box you can say “Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.” There’s a whole host of alarm and timer-related commands.
When you want to listen to music, you can say “Alexa, play Sia.” If you’ve connected Spotify with Alexa, she’ll stream directly from your Spotify account.
Another popular Amazon Alexa command involves smart lights, like the Philips Hue lights. Once you’ve connected Philips Hue to Alexa, you can say things like “Alexa, turn on dining room lights” or “Alexa, set living room lights to purple.”
VoiceBrew: Get more out of your Alexa Device with tips delivered straight to your inbox
VoiceBrew was created to help people get more out of their Amazon Alexa devices. Whether you’re just setting up your first Alexa device, or are a seasoned pro looking for advanced tips, VoiceBrew can help.
I love Alexa but realized that most people weren’t familiar with all of the capabilities available in every device! With VoiceBrew, you’ll have access to comprehensive how-to guides that cover basic set-up all the way to more advanced routines.
Wondering what devices work with Alexa? I cover that, too in VoiceBrew smart home guides. Ready to get started? Sign up for the VoiceBrew newsletter today.