If you've got an Amazon Echo speaker, then chances are you already use it for streaming music. For most users, that means saying "Alexa, play Spotify". However, you might find that the service you want to use isn't supported directly by Alexa. Apple Music, for example, can't be played directly by an Echo speaker, and the same thing goes for many podcast apps.
Luckily, though, there is a way around this. As well as being a voice-activated speaker, any Echo device can be used as a regular Bluetooth speaker, too!
Here's how to do it:
- Make sure you have Bluetooth enabled on the device you want to connect, and that you're within range- within the same room should be fine.
- If you've connected your Alexa speaker to any Bluetooth devices already, say "Alexa, disconnect".
- Say "Alexa, pair". She will then start searching for devices within range.
- On your smartphone or tablet, open up the Bluetooth settings and select your Alexa speaker from the list of devices.
- If all goes right, Alexa will announce that she is now connected, and you can now play audio from your phone or tablet through your Echo speaker!
Connecting to other Bluetooth speakers
Echo speakers are certainly convenient, but they don't have the best sound quality. Amazon compromise on sound a little, in favour of a more compact and stylish design. Luckily, though, you can also pair your Echo speaker up to another Bluetooth speaker. That way, you can still use Alexa voice commands to control what's playing, but with better sound quality. This process will also work with Bluetooth headphones, too.
Just pop your device into pairing mode, and then say "Alexa, pair" or "Alexa, search for Bluetooth devices". She should then say what device she has found, and ask if you want to connect. After you've done this the first time, you can then say "Alexa, connect to my Bluetooth speaker" in future.