Alexa is no longer just for smart speakers. The Alexa app gives you many of its helpful features right on your phone so you can manage everyday tasks, control compatible smart-home devices, play music, set reminders and much more.
It’s pretty easy to set up whether you already have an Alexa-enabled device at home or just want to see what Alexa can do on your mobile. In this guide, we’ll cover how to use Alexa on your phone, what can you do with it, how to connect smart devices, create routines, use Skills, and get the most from Alexa in everyday life.
What Is Alexa?
Alexa is a voice assistant that can listen to voice requests and fulfill a variety of tasks. Ask Alexa questions, set alarms and timers, create reminders, manage lists, play supported music and audio, and control compatible smart home devices.
The Alexa mobile app also functions as a hub for controlling Alexa-enabled devices and many of the features related to your account. “The biggest advantage for many is convenience. Instead of opening several different apps to do simple things, you can use Alexa to handle many of them with a voice request.
How to Get Alexa on Your Phone
Getting Alexa on your phone is simple. The app is available for both Android and iPhone, and you can download it from the official app store for your device.
| Step | Android | iPhone / iPad |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Open Store | Open Google Play Store | Open App Store |
| 2. Search | Search “Amazon Alexa” | Search “Amazon Alexa” |
| 3. Verify App | Check that it is the official Alexa app | Check that it is the official Alexa app |
| 4. Download | Tap Install | Tap Get |
| 5. Sign In | Open the app and sign in with your Amazon account | Open the app and sign in with your Amazon account |
| 6. Create Account | No account? Create one using the on-screen instructions | No account? Create one using the on-screen instructions |
| 7. Allow Access | Allow microphone and other required permissions | Allow microphone and other required permissions |
| 8. Finish Setup | Follow the setup instructions and start using Alexa | Follow the setup instructions and start using Alexa |
Tip: Download Alexa only from the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Avoid unofficial APK or third-party download websites.
How to Use Alexa From Your Mobile
Once the app is ready, you can start making requests to Alexa. The simplest approach is to begin with everyday tasks. For example, you can ask:
- “Alexa, what’s the weather today?”
- “Alexa, set a timer for 20 minutes.”
- “Alexa, set an alarm for 7 AM.”
- “Alexa, remind me to pay the bill tonight.”
- “Alexa, add rice to my shopping list.”
- “Alexa, play some music.”
These simple commands can quickly show you where Alexa fits into your daily routine.
The features available to you may vary depending on your device, account, location, and supported services.
Use Alexa for Alarms, Timers and Reminders
You don’t always need a complicated smart-home setup to find Alexa useful. Alarms, timers and reminders are some of the easiest features to start with.
For example, while cooking, you can ask Alexa to start a timer. If you have an important task later, you can create a reminder. You can also use Alexa to set an alarm without manually entering the time on your phone. The Alexa app lets you view and manage these features, so you can check what you have already scheduled.
Create Shopping and To-Do Lists
Alexa can also help with small organizational tasks.
If you suddenly remember that you need something from the store, you can simply say, “Alexa, add coffee to my shopping list.”
You can continue adding items throughout the day without opening a notes app. The same idea can be used for tasks and other lists, making Alexa useful for people who want to keep track of small things without writing everything down manually.
Listen to Music and Other Audio
Alexa can also be used for music and supported audio services. You can ask Alexa to start playing music and use voice commands to control playback where supported.
For example: “Alexa, play relaxing music.” You can then ask it to pause, resume, or change the playback.
The exact music services and features available can depend on your region, account and connected services. The Alexa app can also help you manage music playback on compatible Alexa devices.
Use Alexa to Control Your Smart Home
This is where Alexa becomes much more interesting. If you have compatible smart-home products, you can connect them to Alexa and control them through voice commands or the Alexa app.
Depending on the device, supported products can include:
- Smart bulbs
- Smart plugs
- Switches
- Cameras
- Thermostats
- TVs
- Locks
- Other compatible appliances
Alexa supports a wide range of smart-home device categories, although the controls available can vary from one product to another. For example, after connecting a compatible smart bulb, you could say—–
“Alexa, turn on the bedroom light.” or
“Alexa, turn off the kitchen light.”
This can save you from opening a separate app every time you want to control a connected device.
Connect Your Smart Devices to Alexa
To control a smart-home product with Alexa, the device generally needs to be compatible with Alexa and properly set up.
You will normally need to complete the manufacturer’s setup process first. After that, the device can be connected through the Alexa app using the relevant smart-home integration or Skill.
Once connected, you can discover your devices and give them simple names.
For example:
| Device | Simple Name |
|---|---|
| Smart bulb | Bedroom Light |
| Smart plug | TV Plug |
| Smart TV | Living Room TV |
| Smart camera | Front Door Camera |
Simple names make voice commands easier and reduce confusion when you have several devices.
Control Several Devices Together
If you have several compatible devices, you can group them into groups. For example, you could create a bedroom group that includes the bedroom light and other supported devices.
This makes it easier to control multiple devices and can be particularly helpful with Routines. The concept is straightforward: Rather than managing every smart device individually, you can configure your home around rooms or activities.
Create Alexa Routines
One of the most useful features of Alexa for everyday automation is routines. They allow you to chain multiple actions and then trigger them with one voice command, timer or supported smart-home event.
For example, set up a Good Morning Routine and say “Alexa, good morning.” Then Alexa can give you information, play music, turn on compatible lights and do other things you select.
How to Create a Routine
The basic process is:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Go to More.
- Select Routines.
- Tap the option to create a new Routine.
- Choose the trigger.
- Add the actions you want Alexa to perform.
- Save the Routine.
Amazon allows multiple actions to be included in a Routine, so one trigger can handle several tasks.
Automate Everyday Tasks
Once you understand Routines, you can use them for more than just mornings.
You could create routines around activities such as:
- Going to bed
- Leaving home
- Returning home
- Starting your day
- Turning lights on at a particular time
- Playing music during a particular activity
The possibilities depend on your connected devices and the Alexa features available to you.
The benefit is that you don’t have to repeat the same commands every day.
Use Alexa for Communication
Alexa can also help you communicate. Depending on your device, account and region, calling, messaging and Drop In may be supported in the Alexa app and compatible devices. It’s useful for families, so you can easily contact someone else in another room without having to make a regular phone call. Features may not be available in all configurations and locations.
Try Alexa Skills
Alexa Skills are third-party voice experiences that build on Alexa to add new capabilities beyond the built-in functionality. They can be for things like news, games, recipes, learning, productivity, entertainment and other services.
Discover and enable available Skills directly in the Alexa app. Choose Skills that match your interests or needs on a daily basis, not features you will likely never utilize.
The skills available to you may differ depending on your country and language.
Alexa Can Be Useful Without a Smart Home
You don’t need to fill your house with connected devices for Alexa to be useful.
Even without smart lights, plugs or cameras, you can use Alexa for everyday tasks such as:
- Setting alarms
- Creating reminders
- Starting timers
- Making lists
- Playing supported audio
- Asking questions
- Managing Alexa-enabled devices
This makes the Alexa app useful even for someone who is only beginning to explore voice assistants.
You can start small and add smart-home devices later if you find the experience helpful.
Alexa Privacy and Voice History
Privacy is a big part of using Alexa because Alexa responds to voice commands.
Users can control aspects of their Alexa activity and voice recordings in Alexa settings. You can also see the privacy choices available in the Alexa app and make changes as you like.
The privacy controls and settings available might change over time, so it’s a good idea to look at the current options in your app.
What to Do If Alexa Isn’t Working
Alexa and connected smart-home devices can occasionally run into problems.
If Alexa isn’t responding properly, start with the basics:
- Check your internet connection.
- Make sure the Alexa app is updated.
- Confirm that you’re using the correct account.
- Check that your smart-home device is online.
- Make sure the device is compatible with Alexa.
- Check the device name you’re using.
- Restart the Alexa app or device.
- Reconnect the device if necessary.
If the problem involves a third-party smart-home product, its manufacturer’s app or support page may also provide additional troubleshooting steps.
Do You Need an Echo to Use Alexa?
No, you don’t need to have an Echo device to use the Alexa app.
You can download the Alexa mobile app on your supported phone and use the features it provides. However, some Alexa and smart home features may require compatible Alexa-enabled devices or connected products.
So what you can do without an Echo depends on the feature you want to use.
A Simple Way to Start Using Alexa
If you are new to Alexa, don’t try to connect everything on the first day.
Start with a few features:
Step 1: Try basic commands.
Ask about the weather, set a timer or create a reminder.
Step 2: Use lists.
Create a shopping list and add items by voice.
Step 3: Connect one smart device.
If you already have a compatible smart bulb or plug, connect it and try controlling it.
Step 4: Create one Routine.
Choose a simple activity, such as your morning routine, and combine a few actions.
Step 5: Explore Skills.
Once you are comfortable with the basics, look for Skills that are genuinely useful to you.
This approach makes it easier to understand Alexa without turning your home setup into a complicated project.
Final Thoughts
Alexa can be more than just a smart-speaker assistant. The Alexa app turns your phone into a handy way to access Alexa features, manage compatible devices, create reminders and lists, control smart-home products and automate everyday tasks.
You don’t need a fancy smart-home setup to begin with. Start with the features you need most and when you are ready to use more, you can explore further.
