Amazon Alexa App Basics

Learn how to use the Alexa app on your mobile device or computer.

Home Screen
The Home screen shows your activity with Alexa. Scroll through the "Cards" on the Home screen to see descriptions of your recent requests and other features (such as the option to provide feedback or remove the card).

Left Navigation Panel
Select the Menu   icon in the Alexa app to open the left navigation panel. This allows you to access several Alexa features and settings on your device.

Note: When you view the Alexa app on your computer, the left navigation panel is already open.

Menu Option	Description
Home	View your recent interactions with Alexa.
Now Playing	View and control tracks playing on your device, show upcoming tracks in the queue, and view your history.
Music & Books	Find songs, stations, shows, Kindle books, and audiobooks to listen to on your Alexa device.
Shopping & To-do Lists	View and manage your shopping and to-do lists.
Timers & Alarms	View and manage timers and alarms.
Skills	Find and turn on skills that add various voice-driven capabilities to your Alexa device.
Smart Home	Manage smart home devices linked to Alexa.
Things to Try	View a list of example phrases you can say to Alexa.
Settings	Set up your new Alexa device, train Alexa to understand your speech patterns, and adjust various Alexa device settings.
Help & Feedback	Find detailed help for your Alexa device and submit feedback about your experience with Alexa.
Not [NAME]? Sign out	Sign out of the Alexa app on your device.
Note:

You can only sign out of the Alexa app on Android, iOS, and web browsers.
Android: When you sign out of the Alexa app, you automatically log out from most other Amazon apps (such as the Kindle app) installed on your device. To learn more, go to About the Effects of Signing Out from Amazon Apps.

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Amazon Alexa App Settings

Learn how to update various settings on your device in the Alexa app.

Device Settings

Note: Some settings may not apply or be available for your device.

Setting	Description
Battery (Amazon Tap only)	Check the current battery level.
Connect to Wi-Fi / Update Wi-Fi	Set up or update the Wi-Fi network on your device.
Bluetooth	Change the Bluetooth pairing options for your device.
Pair / Forget remote (Echo and Echo Dot only)	Pair or unpair the remote for Echo and Echo Dot. To learn more, go to Pair the Amazon Echo Remote. The remote is sold separately.
Sounds	Manage the sounds your Alexa device makes during your interactions with it.
Device name	
Give your Alexa device a new name. This is helpful when you have multiple Alexa devices in your home or office. In the name field, enter a name and select Save Changes.
Device location	
Add an address for your Alexa device. Alexa then uses this address to tell you about:

The weather
The current time
Places near your location
Movie showtimes
Enter the correct address into the field (including the street name, city, state, and ZIP code), and then select Save.
Wake word (Echo and Echo Dot only)	Manage your wake word preference. On some Alexa devices, the wake word is how you initiate voice requests to Alexa.
Metric Measurements	Use metric measurements for temperature and distance units.
Device is registered to:	View the current registration status for your Alexa device. To deregister your Alexa device, select Deregister.
Device software version	The current software version on your device. To learn more, go to Alexa Device Software Updates.
Serial number	The serial number for your Alexa device.
MAC Address	The MAC address for your Alexa device.
Account Settings

Setting	Description
Voice Training	Train Alexa to understand your voice better.
Music & Media	Connect a compatible music or media service to your Alexa device to listen to it.
Flash Briefing	Select shows, headlines, and weather updates to hear in your Flash Briefing.
Traffic	Add your location information to hear the estimated travel time to your destination.
Calendar	Link your Google Calendar account to Alexa to hear about your upcoming events.
Smart Home	Connect compatible smart home devices to Alexa and allow your device to control these products when you ask.
Voice Purchasing	Order digital music and physical products from Amazon with your voice, and enable an optional confirmation code that Alexa will ask you to say before you can place orders.
Household Profiles	Create or join an Amazon Household to listen to content across different Amazon accounts.
About the Amazon Alexa app	View the latest version of the Alexa app.


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Change Your Alexa Device Location

Alexa uses your device's location to provide you with the weather, time, local searches, and other local features.

Note: To learn how to change your traffic information, go to Check Traffic.

To change the location of your Alexa device:

In the Alexa app, open the left navigation panel, and then select Settings.
Select your device.
 In the Device location section, select Edit.
Enter the complete address, including the street name, city, state, and ZIP code.
Select Save.
If you have multiple Alexa devices on your Amazon account, make sure to update the location for each device.
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Household Profiles on Alexa Devices

With Household Profiles, you can add another adult to your Amazon Household to listen to either users' content (for example, music and audiobooks) and manage shared features (for example, lists).

Joining a Household also gives you the option to share certain content purchases with other Household members across other Amazon devices and media apps.

Note: When you add a second adult to your Household, you are authorizing the other adult to use credit cards associated with your Amazon account for purchases on Amazon. You may require a 4-digit code to say aloud when you confirm purchases with your credit card. To require a confirmation code, select Settings in the Alexa app, and then select Voice Purchasing.

Add a User to Your Household
Make sure the person you invite to your household is present. 
From the left navigation panel in the Alexa app, select Settings.
Under Account, select Household Profile.
Follow the instructions for the second person to join your Amazon Household. During the process, pass your phone, tablet, or laptop to the second person to enter their account information.
Remove a User from your Household
When you remove a user from a Household, you aren't able to add both user accounts to another Household for 180 days. If you remove an adult by accident and want to re-add the user to your Household, please contact Customer Support. 
From the left navigation panel in the Alexa app, select Settings.
Under Account, select Household Profile.
Select Remove next to the person you want to remove. If you're removing yourself, select Leave.
Select Remove from Household to confirm the change.
Switch to Another Profile
After you set up a Household, you can switch accounts between users on an Alexa device.

Say, "Switch accounts."
When browsing a content library in the Alexa app, use the drop-down menu at the top of the screen to toggle between user libraries.
Tip: To check the profile you're currently using, say, "Which account is this?"

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Voice Training

Use Voice Training in the Alexa app to improve the speech recognition on your Alexa device.

Note: You can only use Voice Training with Echo devices and Amazon Tap.

During a Voice Training session, say each of the 25 different phrases in the app to your Alexa device. Your device processes every phrase you say, even if you don't finish a session. For best results:

Speak normally to your Alexa device.
Sit or stand where you normally speak to your Alexa device.
If you have a voice remote, do not use it during Voice Training.
To start a Voice Training session: 
Open the Alexa app.
Open the left navigation panel, and then select Settings.
Select Voice Training.
Select Start Session.
Speak the phrase in the Alexa app, and then select Next.
Tip: To repeat a phrase, select Pause, and then Repeat Phrase.
When you reach the end of your session, select Complete.
Tip: If you need to end your session at any time, select Pause, and then End session.


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Enable Alexa Skills

Skills are new voice-driven capabilities that enhance the functionality of your Alexa device. For example, you can enable skills that allow your device to tell you about upcoming concerts in your city or play math games with you.

To use an Alexa skill, enable the skill in the Alexa app, and then make your request based on the example phrases shown in the app.

Note: For information about setting up or using a smart home skill, go to Connect a Smart Home Device to Alexa.

If you know the exact name of the skill you want, you can say, "Enable [skill name] skill." You can also search for and enable skills in the Alexa app: 
Open the Alexa app.
Open the left navigation panel, and then select Skills.
Use the search bar to enter keywords or select Categories to browse through skill categories.
When you see a skill you want to use, select Enable Skill.
After you enable a skill, you can ask Alexa to open and use it. For example, say, "Alexa, open [skill name]." There may be different or additional instructions for using the skill. You can refer to the skill's detail page in the app to learn more, or say, "Alexa, [skill name] help." When you no longer want to use a skill, select Disable or say, "Disable [skill name] skill."

Tip: You can rate and review skills. To review a skill, scroll down to the Reviews section on the detail page for a skill, and then select Write a Review.
Interested in developing skills for Alexa?

With the Alexa Skills Kit, you can take advantage of the speech processing capabilities of Alexa to build interactive skills. To sign up for the Alexa Skills Kit, visit our developer website.

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View Your Dialog History

You can view a transcript and listen to interactions you have with your Alexa device. You can also delete specific recordings or all of them. To learn more, go to Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs.

Note: When you use an Alexa device, we keep the voice recordings associated with your account to improve the accuracy of the results provided to you and to improve our services. If you delete these recordings, it may degrade your experience using the voice features.

To listen to your dialog history: 
Open the Alexa app.
Select Settings from the left navigation panel.
Select History.
Select an interaction from the list.
Select the Play icon to listen to the interaction.
Tip: To delete individual recordings, select Delete voice recordings. This removes the audio file streamed to the Cloud, as well as the Home screen cards related to that interaction. If you only want to remove Home screen cards in the Alexa app, visit the Home screen and select Remove card.
To delete all of your interactions: 
Go to Manage Your Content and Devices, and then select the Your Devices tab.
From the list of devices registered to your Amazon account, select your Alexa device.
Select Manage voice recordings.
Select Delete.

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About Placing Orders with Alexa

You can ask Alexa to place orders for music and Prime-eligible physical products.

When you make a voice purchase request, Alexa searches through several purchase options:

Your order history - (only Prime eligible items)
Amazon's Choice - (Amazon’s Choice items are highly rated, well-priced products with Prime shipping)
Prime-eligible items - (including delivery by Prime Now for eligible items)
If an item is available, Alexa tells you the item name and price. Alexa also tells you the estimated delivery information if it will not be standard Prime 2-day shipping. Additional details about that item are available in the Alexa app. Then, Alexa asks you to confirm or cancel the order.

If Alexa can't find the requested item or can't complete the purchase, Alexa may offer one of these options:

Add item to cart on Amazon
Add item to your Alexa Shopping list
See the Alexa app for more options
You can also ask Alexa to cancel your order immediately after you place it or track your shipped order. To learn more, go to Shop for Prime-Eligible Items with Alexa.

Requirements
When you place an order, Alexa orders the item using the default 1-Click payment settings in Your Account. Orders you place for physical products are also eligible for free returns. To learn more, go to Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs.

Tip: You can manage your shopping settings in the Alexa app, such as turning off voice purchasing or requiring a confirmation code before every order. To learn more, go to Manage Voice Purchasing Settings.
To do this...	You need...
Order music from the Digital Music Store
A U.S. billing address and payment method

A 1-Click payment method
Order physical products from Amazon
An annual or 30-day free trial Amazon Prime membership

A U.S. billing address and payment method

A 1-Click payment method
Add products to your shopping cart on the Amazon website

Track the status of a recently shipped order
An Amazon account
Music
You can purchase music from the Digital Music Store with Alexa. Digital Music Store purchases:

are stored in your Amazon Music library for free.
don't count against any Amazon Drive storage limits.
are available for playback or download on compatible devices registered to your Amazon account.
Prime members can also add Prime Music to their library at no additional cost. To learn more, go to Buy Music with Alexa.

Physical Products
As an Amazon Prime member, you can ask Alexa to order hundreds of thousands of Prime-eligible items that are sold or fulfilled by Amazon. Voice shopping does not yet support apparel, shoes, jewelry, watches, Prime Pantry, or Add-on items.

Fulfillment through Prime Now
In select locations, some Amazon.com items are eligible for free two-hour delivery through Amazon Prime Now. When you request any voice order, Alexa automatically checks if the item can be fulfilled using Prime Now delivery. If the item is eligible, Alexa offers the next available two-hour delivery window and uses your default shipping address. If you do not want the order to arrive in two hours, you can decline the offer and view more options in the Alexa app.

Note: At this time, you cannot specifically request Prime a Now delivery. This includes alcohol, items from Prime Now restaurants, or third-party stores. Alexa cannot apply promotional credits to Prime Now orders.

After placing your order, you can track it using the Prime Now app or at https://primenow.amazon.com. When the order arrives your courier calls the phone number associated with your 1-Click default address, if required. You do not need to be present to receive the order.

A delivery tip is not included in your Alexa Prime Now order, but you can add a tip in the Prime Now app up to 48 hours after delivery. For more information about locations and managing your Prime Now order, go https://primenow.amazon.com.


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Manage Voice Purchasing Settings

Update your voice purchasing settings in the Alexa app to buy digital and non-digital products from Amazon with your Alexa device.

Note: After you register your Alexa device, voice purchasing is on by default.

 Open the Alexa app.
Open the left navigation panel, and then select Settings > Voice Purchasing.
Select a setting to update it:
Setting	Description
Purchase by voice	Use the switch to turn on or turn off voice purchasing.
(Optional) Require confirmation code	
Enter a 4-digit code, and then select Save Changes. Before you complete a purchase, Alexa asks for your code. The code does not appear in your voice history.

Note: Make sure to create a code that you do not use for other accounts and services.

Manage 1-Click settings	Select Go to Amazon.com to update your 1-Click payment method and billing address

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Shop for Prime-Eligible Items with Alexa

You can ask Alexa to order select Prime-eligible products from the Prime catalog or from your order history.

Before you can order items with Alexa, you need:

An annual or 30-day free trial Amazon Prime membership.
A U.S. billing address and payment method.
A 1-Click payment method.
Alexa uses the default payment method and shipping address in your 1-Click settings when you place an order. Orders you place for physical products are also eligible for free returns. To learn more, go to Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs.

Note: In select locations, some items are eligible for free two-hour delivery with Amazon Prime Now. If you don't want free two-hour delivery with Amazon Prime Now, Alexa will provide more options in the Alexa app. For more information, go to About Placing Orders with Alexa.

To do this...	Say this...
Purchase a Prime-eligible item	
“Order a [item name]”

"Yes / No" (when Alexa finds the product and asks you to confirm the order).
Reorder an item	
"Reorder [item name]."

"Yes / No" (when Alexa finds the product and asks you to confirm the order).
Add an item to your cart on Amazon	
"Add [item name] to my cart."
Cancel an order immediately after placing it	
"Cancel my order."

Note: You can also cancel an order delivered by Prime Now from the Prime Now app or at https://www.primenow.amazon.com.
To learn more about eligible items and how voice purchasing works, go to About Placing Orders with Alexa.

Note:

If Alexa is unable to cancel your order, you can manage the order from Your Orders
Prime Now orders can be managed from the Prime Now app or at https://www.primenow.amazon.com.
You can manage your shopping settings in the Alexa app, such as turning off voice purchasing or requiring a confirmation code before every order. To learn more, go to Manage Voice Purchasing Settings.
For help tracking orders placed with Alexa, go to Track Open Orders.



Track Open Orders

You can ask Alexa to track your orders from Amazon.

If you have multiple open orders, Alexa gives you the status of the order with the closest delivery date. If Alexa is unable to track or cancel your order, you can manage the order from Your Orders.

To do this...	Say this...
Track the status of a recently shipped order	
"Where is my stuff?"

"Track my order."
Tip: You can cancel an order immediately after it is placed by saying “Cancel the order.” If Alexa says that the order cannot be cancelled, it may be because it’s being prepared for shipping or delivery.
Note: For Prime Now orders placed with Alexa, you will receive an email and/or text with tracking information for your order in the Prime Now app and website. To change or cancel a Prime Now order, contact Amazon Prime Now customer service, or go to https://primenow.amazon.com.

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