Have you ever needed to disconnect a device from your Alexa app? Maybe you‘ve got a new Echo Dot for the bedroom and want to set it up from scratch. Or that smart lightbulb you bought last year stopped working properly.
Whatever the reason, removing gadgets from Alexa is a useful skill to learn. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through the process in 5 quick steps. You‘ll be a pro in no time!
Let‘s First Talk About the Alexa App
The Alexa app acts as the control center for all your Alexa devices. Available on iOS and Android, it lets you manage everything without using voice commands.
As of 2022, Alexa now powers over 100 million devices worldwide. The app makes connecting new smart home gadgets easy. But it‘s just as simple to delete them too!
Here‘s some key stats about Alexa app users:
| Users Interacting Monthly | Average Weekly Usage | Most Used Features |
|---|---|---|
| 73 million | 3 hours, 12 minutes | Playing music, smart home control, general questions |
Why Remove an Alexa Gadget?
Before we get removing, you may wonder why even bother in the first place. Well there‘s a few good reasons:
Upgrades and Replacements
You just treated yourself to the latest Echo Studio smart speaker! But don‘t just leave your old Echo Dot sitting on that shelf collecting dust. Removing unused devices keeps things organized.
Returns and Faulty Items
Oh no…that brand new smart light bulb doesn‘t connect properly and keeps blinking on/off randomly. Returning faulty gear to the store means unlinking it from your Alexa ecosystem.
General Organization
Even if a device works fine, keeping old stuff connected that you don‘t use anymore equals clutter! Periodically removing gadgets keeps the digital space clean.
Step 1: Install the Alexa App
First things first – you‘ll need to download the Alexa app. This is what allows you to manage all your connected devices.
To get started, open either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone or tablet:
Search for "Alexa"
Select the app simply called "Amazon Alexa"
Tap "Install"Once it‘s downloaded, open up the app and sign in with your Amazon account details. This is the same account your Echo device is registered under.
Step 2: Head to Your Connected Devices
Now you‘re logged in, tap the Devices icon along the bottom menu. This looks like a little Echo Dot speaker.
You should now see a list of connected gadgets, like smart bulbs or Echo speakers. Select All Devices to see everything synced up.
Take a quick scroll through. These are all controllable through Alexa voice commands!
Looks like my smart home gadget collection has gotten a bit out of hand. Time for a clear out!
Step 3: Select the Device You Want to Remove
Tap on the specific gadget you want to unlink from Alexa.
So for my cleanup, I‘ll choose the Halley Labs Smart Plug that I don‘t use anymore since getting a TP-Link Kasa model.
This opens up the device‘s info and controls screen.
Step 4: Tap "Forget Device"
Here comes the most important bit. Towards the bottom of the app, you‘ll see a Forget Device option.
Tap this then confirm you want to erase the device when asked.
It‘ll only take a few seconds to disconnect. And now my smart home gadget collection is down by one!
Step 5: Delete Any Related Apps (Optional)
Some smart home brands have their own apps to control devices. As an optional extra step, remove any apps related to the gadget you just deleted.
Here is how to uninstall an iPhone app:
- Hold your finger down on the app icon until they all start wobbling
- Tap the little X that appears in the corner of the app you want rid of
- Confirm deletion
And that‘s everything! While writing this article, I removed 2 more old smart home devices to keep my digital environment tidy.
Now you know how to Marie Kondo your Alexa gadgets!
Other Options If Removing Devices Fails
Hopefully the steps above worked smoothly. But if for some reason a device won‘t disconnect from Alexa, don‘t panic!
You‘ve still got a couple of backup options…
Perform an Echo Factory Reset – This will completely reset any Alexa speakers or screens back to their default out-of-the-box state. The nuclear option, but guarantees everything gets erased.
Contact Amazon Customer Service – For any tricky issues removing Alexa devices, Amazon‘s customer reps can help out. They know these products better than anyone!
What Are Good Alexa Device Alternatives?
Once you‘ve tidied up those gadgets, maybe you‘re looking to replace something? In my opinion, these are solid alternatives to standard Alexa-powered devices:
- Sonos One Speakers – Great sounding Alexa-compatible speakers by audio experts Sonos.
- Philips Hue Smart Lights – Automate lighting colors and schedules. Works perfectly with Alexa commands.
I hope you found my guide helpful for removing those outdated or broken Alexa gadgets! Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments.
