How to Set Up Alexa on Your New Echo

Have you just unwrapped a shiny new Echo smart speaker? Congratulations! I‘ll walk you through getting your Echo connected in about 10 minutes so you can start enjoying hands-free Alexa assistance.

Once set up, Alexa allows you to:

Get news/weather updates
Control smart home devices
Shop Amazon
Listen to music/podcasts
And much more using just your voice!

The key is getting your new Echo device linked with your home WiFi network.

Below I‘ve outlined the 12 steps to breeze through Echo setup and start using Alexa:

Step 1: Install the Alexa App

Alexa wouldn‘t be much use if she only lived inside your Echo! The official Alexa app for iOS and Android devices is the key to unlocking Alexa‘s helpful capabilities.

Once installed, you can manage Echo devices, customize Alexa skills, view activity history, and more from the convenience of your smartphone.

Fun fact: Over 100 million Alexa app installs in 2022 alone according to Data.ai market research!

Step 2: Plug In Your Echo

This step is easy. Take the included power cable and plug your Echo into an electrical outlet. The device will boot up and display an orange indicator light when ready for setup.

Pro tip: Did you know Echo devices have special acceleration sensors and microcontrollers to detect movement and enable power-saving sleep modes? Pretty cool tech!

Step 3: Start Setup in the Alexa App

Now open up the Alexa app on your phone and tap the "More" tab on the bottom menu bar. Next select "Add Device" to kickoff the setup wizard.

Alexa app UI fact: The app‘s bottom tab bar stays persistent for easy one-handed access to key features.

Step 4: Identify Your Echo Device

You‘ll now choose what type of device to connect from a list of Alexa-compatible products. Tap "Amazon Echo" then select the specific Echo model you purchased such as "Echo Dot."

Market share insight: Amazon holds over 70% of the global smart speaker market according to analysis by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

Step 5: Confirm Connectivity

The app checks that your Echo is in setup mode by asking you to verify the indicator light. Once connectivity is confirmed, it will automatically discover nearby Echo devices.

Technical detail: Echo devices broadcast identifying packets over your WiFi network that the Alexa app receives to detect your hardware.

Select your Echo under "Available Devices” to continue.

And the setup walkthrough continues with 7 more easy steps…