Do you constantly channel surf to appease a diverse musical palette spanning classic rock, 80s pop, folk country, and new alternative? Do ad interruptions make you want to crash your car radio? Welcome fellow audio enthusiast to a guide on accessing a seamless listening nirvana – the merged powers of SiriusXM and Alexa!
Here you‘ll learn the specific steps to enable hands-free access to all your SiriusXM favorites within existing Alexa ecosystems. That means ad-free, curated music tailored to your tastes available on-demand across all Echo devices with just your voice.
Intriguing isn‘t it? Then let‘s get started! This guide features specific instructions tailored to newbies and Alexa power users alike.
An Audio Match Made in Heaven
Before linking services though, it‘s important to understand what makes Alexa and Sirius so complementary:
Alexa offers intuitive voice-controlled access to:
- Music services like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music
- Podcasts, audiobooks
- Smart home device control
- General questions via internet search
SiriusXM provides:
- Over 300 ad-free radio channels
- Exclusive shows, performances, interviews
- Sports play-by-play coverage
- Comedy, news, entertainment
Together they allow free reign over tens of millions of songs and thousands of hours of unique content!
Benefits of Combining SiriusXM and Alexa
Below are some of the awesome features unlocked:
- Skip Browsing – Just ask for artists, songs, or shows instead of tapping through apps.
- Supplement Gaps – Mix Sirius niche stations into your standard streaming lineup.
- Cross-Device Control – Effortlessly transition listening sessions across phone, car, and home.
The ability to skirt conventional category-defined recommendations and gain access to a human-curated body of established and emerging talent is extremely empowering!
Now that you comprehend the tremendous potential, it‘s time get your systems merged.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Add SiriusXM to Alexa Devices
I‘ll walk you through the quick process of enabling the necessary skill to connect SiriusXM and Alexa below:
Step 1 – Download the Alexa App and Enable Skills Access
Download the Alexa app on your iOS or Android phone if you haven‘t already. This is the centralized control panel for managing Alexa devices and linked services.
Once installed, open it up and select the More icon on the bottom right. Then choose Skills & Games from available options:
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Skills allow integration of third-party capabilities like SiriusXM into Alexa.
Step 2 – Locate the SiriusXM Skill and Enable It
Now search for "SiriusXM" using the search bar at the top of the skills menu. Then select the SiriusXM skill by Sirius XM Holdings Inc from results:
Double check you have the genuine skill with the SiriusXM logo before enabling.
Finally, tap "Enable To Use" on the next page which authorizes Alexa access of your SiriusXM account!
Step 3 – Sign into Your SiriusXM Account
After enabling the skill, a pop-up prompt will ask you to sign into your SiriusXM account using your username/password:
This securely links your personal SiriusXM account with countless presets and preferences to the Alexa profile leveraging saved credentials.
Step 4 – Start Listening Hands-Free!
Congratulations, you did it! SiriusXM is now fully enabled to work on all Alexa devices.
Go ahead, try saying:
- "Alexa, play Dave Matthews Radio channel on SiriusXM"
- "Alexa, tune to Lithium station on SiriusXM"
- "Alexa, turn on my folk country favorites SiriusXM channel"
It doesn‘t get much easier than that for access to endless music tailored just for you!
While the initial setup is quick, below are some advanced ways to customize integration further.
Tips for Power Users: Customize SiriusXM + Alexa
Let‘s explore how power users can unlock additional capabilities now that SiriusXM and Alexa are combined:
Enable Offline Listening
| With a supporting Echo device like Dot or Sub, enable offline listening in SiriusXM account settings to save channels for playback without internet like when camping! |
Create Personalized Channels
| Blend all favorite stations and songs into custom preset SiriusXM channels accessible via Alexa voice commands. |
Make SiriusXM Default Music
| Ensure SiriusXM launches automatically whenever you request music without specifying a service. |
Group with Multi-Room Speakers
| Pair an Echo Studio and Echo Sub for jaw-dropping surround sound powered by SiriusXM immersive audio content. |
I hope all these tips help you mold a truly distinctive listening sanctuary!
Now let‘s wrap up with answers to some troubleshooting questions I often get asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below I‘ll address additional technical queries that arise when merging services:
Why does Alexa say the SiriusXM skill is not available?
This happens if your Echo loses internet connectivity. Ensure WiFi is working then re-enable the SiriusXM skills under Alexa app settings.
Can I play SiriusXM on Sonos speakers with Alexa?
Absolutely! Enable the SiriusXM skill in Alexa app, then under More > Settings link Sonos device. Ask to play SiriusXM and audio will sync across components.
Do I need a streaming subscription or can any SiriusXM account work?
Unfortunately an internet streaming package is required. SiriusXM connected vehicle plans only work inside the car itself.
What happens if someone else tries listening on my SiriusXM account?
Simultaneous streaming is restricted to one device. Alexa will ask if you want to switch listening to the Echo before stopping playback on the other session.
I hope this guide served as your flight path charting a course to the glorious Galaxy of Musical Satisfaction through merging of SiriusXM and Alexa! Never hesitate to reach out if any clarification is needed now or questions pop up down the road.
