How To Connect Alexa To Bluetooth in 7 Steps

Have you recently gotten an Alexa device and wondered how you could connect it via Bluetooth to your phone, speakers, headphones or other smart gadgets? Connecting Alexa to Bluetooth opens up new ways to enjoy voice-controlled convenience handsfree.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how Bluetooth works with Alexa, breakdown the step-by-step pairing process, troubleshoot common issues, and maximize functionality once linked.

Overview of Connecting Alexa to Bluetooth

Before jumping into the technical how-to sections, you may be wondering — what exactly is the benefit of hooking Alexa up to Bluetooth in the first place?

Excellent question! Here are 3 awesome ways connecting Bluetooth to your Alexa devices can enhance the experience:

1. Wireless Media Streaming: Play music, podcasts, audiobooks etc. from your phone and stream it directly through Alexa speakers in another room without cables.

2. Remote Device Control: Manage Alexa completely via the mobile app instead of always having to be within voice command range.

3. Expanded Audio Options: Connect wireless Bluetooth headphones to Alexa for personal, private listening instead of blasting sound out loud.

Plus, Bluetooth connectivity extends up to 30 feet, giving you great range and mobility. Overall, linking Alexa to other Bluetooth smart gadgets equals more flexibility and functionality.

What devices can you pair over Bluetooth specifically? Here are some of the most common:

• Smartphones (iOS, Android)
• Tablets (iPads, Kindle Fire)
• Bluetooth speakers/headphones
• PCs and laptops
• Smart home devices (lightbulbs, switches, sensors)
• Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Nintendo Switch)
• Streaming media players (Roku, Firestick)

Now that you know the “why” and “what”, let’s get into the “how”…

Prerequisites

You’ll want to make sure you have the following ready before connecting Alexa over Bluetooth:

• Alexa Device: An Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show or other Alexa-enabled speaker. Updates to the latest firmware for best performance.
• Bluetooth Accessory: Smartphone, headphones, speakers etc. Technically anything Bluetooth 4.0+ compatible. Confirm accessory is charged up.
• Alexa App: Free Alexa app installed on an iOS or Android mobile device
• Within Range: Alexa device and Bluetooth gadget are within 30 feet maximum connectivity range.

Optional but helpful preparation — have your device manuals on hand just in case. Now let’s get to pairing!

Step 1: Enable Bluetooth On Your Phone

The first step is turning on your phone’s Bluetooth antenna so Alexa can find it over-the-air and establish a connection.

On iPhone:

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings app
2. Tap "Bluetooth"
3. Toggle Bluetooth to the "On" position

Once enabled, you’ll see “iPhone is Ready to Pair” below the on/off switch. This means your phone is now discoverable to other Bluetooth devices nearby.

On Android Phone:

1. Open your Android’s Settings
2. Select "Connected Devices" or "Bluetooth"
3. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle

Bluetooth functionality may be called something slightly different depending on your Android device maker. But there will be a clearly marked Bluetooth menu you can access in Settings and enable/disable accordingly.

Step 2: Put Your Device in Discoverable Mode

The next vital step is making sure the smartphone, headphones, speaker or other device you want Alexa to link up to is similarly detectable over Bluetooth.

Being in discoverable (or pairing) mode allows visibility to ANY reachable Bluetooth devices attempting a connection.

Here are the different ways to activate pairing mode:

On Mobile Devices

• Android Phones – Head to Settings > Bluetooth > Make discoverable
• iPhones – Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap “i” icon next to your phone > Make Discoverable

On Bluetooth Speakers or Headphones

• Check instruction manual for how to put into pairing mode
• Often there is a dedicated “Pairing” button or switch
• Or power on while holding Escape or Connect button

For Non-Screen Accessories

• Consult equipment user guide for enabling discoverability
• May need to access external control panel or input hardware buttons

Once pairing mode activated on your devices, they will now emit Bluetooth connectivity signals other closeby gadgets can see.

Time to get the Alexa app…

Step 3: Download the Alexa App

Amazon’s official “Alexa” app allows you to manage Echo devices directly from iOS and Android mobile devices once installed.

The free Alexa app can be found on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Follow these steps to grab the Alexa app:

1. Open your phone’s app store
2. Search for “Amazon Alexa”
3. Tap “Install” or “Get” to download app
4. Open the app once finished downloading

Register an Amazon login if first time user or sign-in to sync with your Alexa account.

Step 4: Open Settings in the Alexa App

Fire up the Alexa app you just installed on your mobile device. Up top left, tap the ≡ menu icon then select “Settings” at the very bottom.

Settings is the place within the app where we can connect Alexa to Bluetooth.

Step 5: Select Your Alexa Device

Within Settings, choose the specific Echo, Echo Dot or other Alexa gadget you want to link up. Tap to enter your device’s control panel.

If managing multiple Alexa devices on one account, be sure to pick the active speaker you want handling the incoming Bluetooth streams in that location.

Step 6: Navigate to Bluetooth Menu and Pair New Device

Next select:

Tap Bluetooth > Pair New Device

This kicks off Bluetooth discoverability mode on your Echo unit so Alexa starts wirelessly searching for your phone or other nearby devices.

After a few seconds, she’ll display an “Available Devices” list showing detected gadgets in proximity.

Step 7: Select Your Device Name to Connect

When you see your phone, headset or speaker’s name pop up as a discovered Bluetooth device, just tap to pair!

For example, “iPhone” or “Sony WH-1000XM4” or "JBL Flip 5”.

Grant any authorization requests if your device prompts to formally allow the link. Agree to any pairing codes that appear on both units.

And that’s it — Alexa now establishes a steady Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, headphones or wireless speakers!

The devices may indicate being paired/connected through sounds, voice notifications or color changes depending on the gadget.

Now Alexa can directly communicate with your phone, stream audio through your portable speaker etc. — all wirelessly over Bluetooth instead of requiring cables.

Reconnecting Alexa to Bluetooth Devices

Fortunately, you won’t have to undergo the whole pairing process every time.

Now that your gadgets already know one another, you can just say:

• “Alexa, connect to my phone”
• “Alexa, connect Bluetooth”
• “Alexa, pair mode”

And she’ll instantly re-establish a Bluetooth link to whichever mobile device, headphones or speakers you last hooked up!

For ongoing connectivity management, try dedicating an Echo Dot in rooms you want to always have accessible for Bluetooth streams and calls.

This eliminates having to reshuffle connections across different Alexa devices each time.

Now that you know how to generally get Alexa paired over Bluetooth, let’s talk about connecting specifically to wireless Bluetooth speakers…

How To Connect Alexa to Bluetooth Speakers

One awesome way to elevate your music listening experience is wirelessly streaming Alexa through separate high-quality Bluetooth speakers.

You can spread stereo audio across multiple rooms without messy cables strewn about.

Here is a quick summary for linking up Bluetooth speakers to your Alexa smart devices:

1. Position Speakers Within 30 Feet

Make sure Echo Dot unit and portable speakers are within maximum Bluetooth range but not right next to each other.

2. Enable Bluetooth On Speakers

Activate Bluetooth pairing mode on your wireless speakers so Alexa can find them. Often there’s a dedicated Bluetooth “Pair” switch.

3. Open Alexa App -> Devices -> Your Echo -> Bluetooth

Navigate to the Bluetooth device pairing menu within the Alexa app.

4. Select Speakers When Detected

Your portable speakers will display among the “Found Devices” list. Tap to pair up with Alexa!

And that’s really all there is to it. Voice commands like “Alexa, connect my speaker” now reconnect anytime.

Here are a few extra Bluetooth speaker connectivity tips:

• Update older speakers to support latest Bluetooth 5.0 for extended range
• Opt for dual-driver models that provide left+right channel separation
• Routers and appliances can interfere so keep access points faraway
• Troubleshoot by power cycling devices or moving them closer together

Investing in a set of feature-packed Bluetooth speakers opens up whole new ways to enjoy Alexa’s integrated voice-controlled audio.

Comparing Bluetooth vs WiFi Wireless Signals

How does Bluetooth compare to WiFi signals when transmitting wirelessly? Check out this overview:

While WiFi provides faster throughput and better wall penetration given greater frequency power, Bluetooth draws much less energy overall. So it’s ideal for personal area connections to portable smart home tech and audio devices not constantly transferring huge files.

Alexa relies on WiFi for general cloud access but taps into Bluetooth for nearby gadget flexibility. The protocols compliment one another!

Security Considerations of Bluetooth

Is Bluetooth secure enough for Alexa device linkages? Bluetooth uses encryption during pairing sessions and data exchanges. However security experts recommend taking a few added precautions:

• Only connect Alexa to trusted personal devices
• Turn Bluetooth off completely when not required
• Use most up to date Bluetooth versions for enhanced safety protocols
• Enable 2-factor authentication with Amazon account

Also beware public WiFi and Bluetooth networks can carry risks. But taking sensible precautions significantly reduces vulnerabilities of wireless access.

Now that you know how to pair along with some power tips, let‘s recap…

Summary

• Bluetooth lets you connect Alexa hands-free to phones, headphones, speakers etc wirelessly
• Turn ON Bluetooth accessibility for both Alexa device and your accessory
• Download Alexa app and navigate to Bluetooth management settings
• Tap “Pair New Device” and select your gadget‘s name when visible
• Reconnect anytime easily via handy voice commands
• Link portable Bluetooth speakers for whole home audio expansion

Following these 7 simple steps lets you unlock Bluetooth capabilities for awesome Alexa integration with your other smart products!

Any questions on getting up and running? Comment below!