No matter which Alexa-enabled device you have, there are plenty of ways to customize it. However, you may miss some of the options because there are so many of them. Surface level inspection includes use your Echo to call someoneAlexa connection on Wi-Fi and Bluetoothand even using Alexa in the kitchen.
From Amazon Echo Dot, massive Echo Show 15the shocking Echo Studio or the rotating smart display v Echo Show 10you’ll find lots of different ways to make these Amazon devices a little more useful for you. A few small changes can make a big difference. For example, you’ll want to update your privacy settings, even automatically deleting recordings and turning off settings allowing Amazon employees to listen to these recordings.
These things may seem difficult to set up at first, but if you work at it, you’ll be left with a great experience that makes you feel like your Alexa devices are working hard for you, rather than the other way around.
1. Update your Amazon Echo privacy settings
One of the first concerns with owning an Echo speaker is privacy. Fortunately, Amazon does implementing additional privacy settingsincluding updates to Ring and Echo products.
You can delete the entire history of voice recordings. To do this, open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Alexa privacy > Check the voice History. Next, tap the down arrow next to it Display and then the arrow next to it Filter by date. Then tap The whole history > Delete all my recordings.
You can also prevent Amazon employees from listening to your voice recordings. In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Alexa privacy > Manage your Alexa data. Select from there Select How long to save the recordings > Do not save Recordings > Confirm. Next, scroll down to Help improve Alexaand turn off Use of voice recordings.
Check out our article for more security tips for your smart home devices privacy guide to keep Amazon, Google and Apple out of your conversations.
Check this out: Alexa is getting new features that will make it a better listener
2. Enable Short Mode on your Amazon Echo
When you ask Alexa to do something, like play a song or turn on the lights, Alexa says something like, “OK, I’m turning on the lights.” This will help you determine why Alexa did something if it wasn’t what you asked. If you don’t want Alexa to repeat what you just said, you can change this setting to play a short sound instead of a voice response.
To do this, open the Alexa app More menu and select Settings. Under Alexa Preferences, tap Voice responsesand then turn on the pro switch Short fashion.
Turn on short mode to have your echo play a short sound instead of a voice response.
3. Set your preferred music streaming service
When you set up Amazon Echo, the music service defaults to Amazon Music. If you use Spotify, Apple Music, or another streamer, you may want to connect your Echo instead.
Go to Settings > Music and Podcasts, then a link to the service. On the same page, tap on Default services and switch to your preferred music provider. Now Echo will play from the music streaming service of your choice when you say, “Alexa, play music.” Remember that you can choose default settings for family or personal listening.
4. Change the wake word from Alexa
If TV commercials still trigger your Amazon Echo when they say “Alexa,” you can change the wake word to something less likely to trigger the speaker. Other traditional options are Computer, Echo, and Amazon, but they do exist a few more recent additions of awakened words you can use as Ziggy and Hello, Disney.
If you want a change, say “Alexa, change wake-up” and choose. You can also open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Device settings. Select your device and then tap Settings icon and select Wake Word make a choice. Unfortunately, you can’t make up your own name for the speaker, like “Tallulah” or “Digital Overlord.”
5. Enable voice purchasing on your Amazon Echo
You don’t always have time to search Amazon for something you’re missing, like toilet paper. That’s why it can be useful to set up voice shopping on the Amazon Echo so that Alexa can order products for you.
To get started, you need to turn on voice ordering and one-click ordering. Open the Alexa app and go to Settings > Account settings > Voice shopping > Purchase Controls > Choose who can shop. For example, you can set up a voice code or profile so that only you can shop when you enter a four-digit code.
6. Set up household profiles on your Amazon Echo
If you have multiple people in the house, you’ll want to set up voice profiles for each member who uses an Echo speaker. This will help Alexa learn your voice and distinguish you from others in the house. To create voice profiles, go to Settings > Your profile and family > Voice ID and follow the instructions on the screen.
To make sure your voice profile is set up correctly, you ask, “Alexa, who am I?” The voice assistant says, “I’m talking to (your name).”
If you have favorite tweaks and settings, please share them in the comments. Now that you’ve updated these six Echo settings, here they are five creative uses for your Amazon Echo device, five essential tips for your new Echo device and CNET a summary of every Alexa command you can type right now.