How to keep your home secure without Alexa Guard

💡 Need to know

• Alexa Emergency Assist is the paid replacement for the original free Alexa Guard features.
• Smart Alerts still listen for smoke alarms or glass breaking if you have the right subscription.
• Set up Home Mode routines to automate your lights and mimic someone being home.
• Want more info on security options?
  Get 24/7 expert support for the tech you rely on.

When the Amazon® Alexa™ Guard feature was introduced, it offered users an added layer of home security, detecting the sounds of alarms or glass breaking when you were away. Now that Alexa Guard is no longer supported, you might wonder how you can continue monitoring your home effectively by using your Amazon® Echo.

Tech doesn’t have to be complicated. Asurion is here to handle your family’s gadgets—keeping you connected across all devices. Here’s what you can do with your Amazon Alexa now that Alexa Guard mode has been retired.

What was Alexa Guard?

Alexa Guard was a free security feature within the Alexa app that used your Echo devices to listen for signs of danger in your home, such as the sound of glass breaking, a potential intruder, or smoke alarms, sending you smart alerts if anything unusual was detected.

Why is Alexa Guard no longer supported?

Amazon is currently focusing on developing newer, more integrated home security solutions within their smart home device ecosystem to enhance user experiences and provide better protection options.

New ways to monitor your home after Alexa Guard

Even without Alexa Guard, your Alexa device can still help keep your home safe. Here’s how to take advantage of built-in features:

Smart home integration

Integrating Alexa with other smart home devices makes controlling your security tech, like cameras and motion sensors, more convenient via voice control and automation. Here’s how to get started:

1. Make sure your smart home devices are set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Alexa device.
2. Open the Amazon Alexa app, and go to Devices > Add Device. Select the type of device you’re setting up, and follow the on-screen instructions to link it to Alexa.
3. Once set up, you can control these devices with voice commands, like "Alexa, show the front door camera" or "Alexa, turn on the hallway lights."

Built-in sound detection

You can set your Alexa devices up to recognize specific sounds and perform actions based on these audio cues, enhancing your home’s efficiency and security. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Tap More (bottom right).
3. Tap Routines.
4. Tap the + in the top right to create a new routine.
5. Tap When this happens.
6. Select Sound Detection.
7. Choose the sound you want Alexa to listen for (like dog barking or a smoke alarm).
8. Tap Add action to choose what Alexa should do (send a notification, turn on a light, etc.).
9. Tap Save.

You can also use Alexa’s routine function to turn on smart lights at sunset or play the sound of a dog barking when motion is detected on a connected security camera to make it look like you’re home even when you’re away.

Worried about your Amazon Echo listening in on your conversations? Check out our guide on everything you need to know about your smart device’s listening skills.