How to put Alexa in pairing mode with another device

⚡ Fast fix

• Enable Bluetooth on your phone before asking Alexa to start the pairing process.
• Look for the pulsing blue light which indicates the Echo is searching for a new device.
• Say "Alexa, disconnect" if you need to clear the current connection to add something new.
• Devices won't pair?
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Like most people, you probably always have your smartphone within reach. But sometimes, you might want to be more hands-off with your technology. With Amazon Alexa™, you can dim your smart lights for a White Lotus marathon or put on upbeat workout tunes by only using your voice. However, you need to pair it with other devices first. 

At Asurion, we help you get the most out of all your gadgets. Whether you need help pairing Alexa with your iPhone® or you're trying to listen to music with Alexa, we've got the answers you need. Here's how to put Alexa in pairing mode so you can start using all those nifty features. 

Turn on pairing mode using voice or the app

Alexa is a virtual assistant that utilizes Bluetooth to connect with a wide range of devices, including smartphones and smart thermostats. 

Voice commands are the easiest way to pair Alexa with Bluetooth: 

1. Switch on Bluetooth on the device you want to connect to Alexa, such as your phone or tablet. Disconnect any other synced devices, so Alexa can find it. 
2. Stand near your Alexa device, such as an Echo Dot. 
3. Say, "Alexa, pair" or "Alexa, Bluetooth." The device will respond with "Pairing," and the light ring at the top will change color as it searches. 
4. Alexa will automatically connect to the nearest available Bluetooth device. You'll hear a chime when this happens. 

You can also use the Alexa app to put the assistant in pairing mode: 

1. Download the app on your smartphone. 
2. Open the app and tap Devices. 
3. Tap Echo & Alexa > Bluetooth Devices. 
4. Select Pair a New Device. 
5. Choose the device you want to pair from the list.

These setup steps will only work if your other device is discoverable. For most smartphones, you can turn on Bluetooth in the Settings app.

If you’re pairing with a Mac®, go to System Settings > Bluetooth to make it visible.

Pair Alexa with Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or TVs

While it's relatively easy to connect an Echo to your phone, linking other gadgets requires a slightly different process. First, you need to determine how to put the other device into pairing mode.

• For Bluetooth headphones, that could be as easy as popping them out of their case or holding down the pairing button.
• If you want to connect Alexa to a speaker, look for a pairing button on the side or top.
• To sync a TV, go to Settings and look for a menu option labeled Bluetooth or Remotes and Devices.

Once your device is ready to sync and in pairing mode, follow these instructions:

1. Open the Alexa app, tap Devices, then tap Echo & Alexa and select your specific Echo Dot from the list.
2. Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner to open Device Settings.
3. Tap Bluetooth Connections, then tap Connect a Device. This will put the Amazon Echo in pairing mode and it will begin searching.
4. Select your headphones, speaker, or TV from the list of discovered devices. Alexa will announce when it's successfully connected.

Note: Once paired the first time, you can usually just turn the device on and say, "Alexa, connect to Bluetooth" to quickly link them back up in the future.

Manage or remove paired devices

Eventually, you'll probably want to remove a paired device from your Echo. Maybe you're taking a private work call and don't want it to accidentally connect to your kids' Dot, or your Bluetooth headphones are broken.

Here's how to permanently remove a Bluetooth connection:

1. In the Alexa app, tap Devices at the bottom, then tap Echo & Alexa.
2. Select the Echo Dot you want to manage, then tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings.
3. Tap Bluetooth Connections. You will see a list of everything previously paired to this Echo.
4. Tap the gadget you want to erase (or the arrow next to it), then tap Forget Device.

If you change your mind, you can easily reconnect your Bluetooth device by putting it back into pairing mode and following the initial setup process again.

Switching between devices: You can pair multiple devices to your Echo, but it will only connect to one at a time. To switch between already-paired gadgets, you don't need to enter pairing mode again. Just say, "Alexa, connect my phone" or "Alexa, connect to [Device Name]."

Troubleshooting pairing issues

You've followed all the steps, but Alexa's still not pairing. That's not ideal, but don't give up. Here are a few Alexa Bluetooth troubleshooting tips to help: 

• Make sure Bluetooth is on: It's not always easy to tell when your device is in Bluetooth mode, especially for headphones and speakers. Try connecting again. 
• Move the devices closer together: If your Alexa phone connection isn't working, try placing the devices side by side. 
• Restart everything: Sometimes, Alexa isn't responding because of a glitch. Or maybe the issue is with the other device. A quick reset may resolve the issue and get everything working again. 
• Start over: Try re-pairing the devices from the beginning.