How to configure Alexa to start working

After purchasing an Amazon Echo or similar device, the inevitable question is: how do I set up Alexa? There aren't too many secrets to getting this popular smart speaker up and running, although a little help never hurts. That's what we'll cover in this post.

The first thing to know is that Alexa is the virtual assistant developed by Amazon . It's available in the following languages: English, German, Japanese, French, Italian, and Spanish. The most interesting thing is that you can control various smart devices through it, as long as they are compatible with the system, of course. These devices allow users to activate the system with a simple wake word.

Beyond its basic functions, users can expand Alexa's capabilities. This is achieved by installing skills , or additional features . To put it simply, skills are to Alexa what apps are to a mobile operating system.

What is Alexa for?

This virtual assistant has a really long list of features. This is only a brief summary of everything it offers us:

• Make purchases and orders, sometimes with a simple voice command, thanks to Alexa's integration with Amazon. When the green light on Echo lights up, the package we expect will arrive today. Very practical and comfortable.
• Listen to music, perhaps the best known and used function. Alexa supports many free streaming services. Also, if the device is properly linked to the Amazon account, you can also stream media and music directly.
• Personal Agenda function. Alexa can help us organize our day to day, synchronizing our calendars, announcing what the weather is going to be like, sending us reminders of meetings, appointments, birthdays, etc.
• perform translationsWell, Alexa speaks many languages.
• entertainment. There are a lot of things that Alexa can do to entertain us: tell anecdotes and jokes, propose games, riddles...
• Control other compatible devices, such as small appliances, more and more numerous.

See also: Alexa's funniest secret commands

Let's see how to configure Alexa in the most common and typical case: to work through an Amazon Echo speaker: or we take it out of the box, plug it into the power and... what's next?

Set up the Amazon Alexa App

To continue the Alexa setup process, we need to use our mobile phone. You'll need to download an app (available for both Android and iOS). Here's how to proceed:

1. To start, we go to the app store that corresponds to us and look for the Amazon Alexa app.
2. We download it and install it on our phone.
3. When we first open it, we get an announcement that it requires Bluetooth access, we have to press Accept.
4. Then you have to log in with the name of username and password of our Amazon account*.
5. Then you have to "present yourself" to Alexa and grant permissions to the application to access our contacts and receive notifications. Optionally, we can access a tutorial that teaches us the basic guidelines for interacting with Alexa, although it is really simple.
6. Once this is done, the configuration will be complete.

(*) It is assumed that you already have one when purchasing a home device. That is, at least, the ideal.

Pair Echo with Alexa

Now it's time to connect. When you plug the Echo speaker into a power outlet, it will light up blue and, after a few seconds, orange. Most of the time, the app you downloaded on your smartphone will detect the device automatically. If not, you'll need to pair it manually by following these steps:

1. First, in the app, in the lower right corner of the screen, press "Plus".
2. Next, we select the option “+ Add a device”.
3. This done, we choose "Amazon echo" and within this option, Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus and more.
4. At this point we will be asked if the speaker is plugged in and in configuration mode (the orange light that we mentioned before). If so, we will answer in the affirmative. The app will do the rest.

Now that we've linked Echo with Alexa, the easiest thing to do is connect the device to our home Wi-Fi network. Alexa will greet us, suggest some voice commands, and start a short training session. It's a good idea to try it out to familiarize yourself with the voice commands and discover everything this amazing assistant can do.

We are sure that when you discover the Alexa virtual assistant, a new world will open up to you. And you can no longer live without it.

Related content: What is Alexa for? What can it do?