Turn the Echo into a Bluetooth speaker or outsource it to a better one
Amazon’s Echo smart speakers aren’t just able to connect over Wi-Fi – they are also Bluetooth compatible, too. Connecting to an Echo speaker via Bluetooth allows you to manually control music playback from your phone or tablet.
However, you might not realize you can also connect your Echo device to another Bluetooth speaker, giving you all the same control but with potentially better sound from a higher-end speaker.
In this guide, we’re showing you how to do both. Once you’re set, it will mean you’re able to not only use Spotify with Alexa, as well as Apple Music, but also music playing on your phone through a web browser or a non-supported streaming service.
If you’re wondering if your Echo has Bluetooth, the answer to that is yes. Every device in the Amazon Echo family supports Bluetooth, from the cheapest Echo Dot to the motion-tracking Amazon Echo Show 10 and the newest Echo Hub. So let’s get you paired up and those tunes pumping.
How to pair Amazon Echo with a Bluetooth speaker
The sound quality from some Alexa smart speakers leaves a lot to be desired, unless you’re talking about the Echo Studio. However, for those with a beefy Bluetooth speaker to hand – like the Sonos Move 2 – you can combine the two.
That means you get the full voice control experience from Alexa, but block-rocking beats from your existing set-up.
It means a life without wires, making for a much neater setup. If you like wires of course, you can always use the 3.5mm jack to connect your Echo to external systems. Also, if you have an older analog system, you can buy Bluetooth adapters that can bridge the gap.
What you’ll need
- Your smartphone or tablet
- A Bluetooth speaker
- Your Echo device
The short version
- Power on your external Bluetooth speaker and enable pairing mode.
- Open the Alexa app and tap on More (you can also use the alexa.amazon.com web app).
- Go to ‘Settings’ and choose ‘Device Settings’.
- Select the Alexa device you want to pair.
- Under the ‘Bluetooth’ tile, choose ‘Connect a New Device’.
- You should now see your external device listed. Tap to pair.
How to pair Amazon Echo with a Bluetooth speaker
Pairing your Amazon Echo with an external Bluetooth speaker gives you bigger sound, along with full Alexa capabilities. It’s the best of both worlds.
Connect your phone to Echo and Alexa over Bluetooth
If you don’t want to have to talk to Alexa to hear music through your Echo smart speaker or Alexa-compatible speaker, there’s the option to simply connect over Bluetooth and handle tunes through your phone’s app manually.
What you’ll need
- Your Echo device
- Your smartphone or tablet
The short version
- Grab your smartphone or tablet
- Go to Settings and open the Bluetooth menu.
- Say “Alexa, pair”. Doing so will see Alexa enter pairing mode and search for nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices.
- Look for the Echo speaker in the list of the new device and tap on it to establish the connection.
- Once established, the Echo device will appear in Bluetooth settings on your phone or tablet. The next time you want to connect, just say “Alexa, pair [device name]” or tap on the device from your Bluetooth settings menu.
- To disconnect your mobile device from Amazon Echo, say, “Alexa, disconnect from Bluetooth”.
Tip – with an Echo Show, Spot or Hub, you can pair to your phone using the ‘Settings’ from the touchscreen.
Remove paired Bluetooth devices from Echo
If you want to delete the Bluetooth pairing, follow these steps.
- Open the Alexa app and tap on ‘Devices‘.
- Choose ‘Echo & Alexa’ and tap the device you want the connection removed from.
- Select ‘Bluetooth Devices’.
- Tap ‘Forget Device’.
More Echo and Alexa explainers
