Check the manufacturer’s website to see if the speaker you want to connect is Alexa-compatible. If so, Alexa could be used through the manufacturer’s app (with a few caveats). If not, you can connect it through an Echo device. This guide will walk you through how to connect Alexa to a Bluetooth speaker, depending on what devices you’re using.
Ask Alexa
Alexa is meant to be a digital assistant controlled by your voice. Before digging through app menus, try asking Alexa to pair with your Bluetooth speaker. Use one of the following commands to set your Alexa-powered device to pairing mode. It will respond with “Searching.”
Alexa, pairAlexa, Bluetooth
Now, put your speaker into pairing mode. This is typically done by pressing a physical button on the device called Pair or labeled with a Bluetooth icon. If you successfully paired Alexa and the Bluetooth speaker, it will respond with “Now connected to (your device’s name).” If the device isn’t found, Alexa will respond by reminding you to enable Bluetooth on the device or use the Alexa app to connect a new device.
Pair Bluetooth Speakers on Echo Devices
Pair Fire TV Devices With Bluetooth Speakers
You can also connect your Echo device to your Fire TV. In this case, only one version of Alexa can be connected to the speaker at a time. Download For: If you pair the Bluetooth speaker with the Fire TV, you’ll hear and talk to Alexa from your Echo speaker and hear content played through Fire TV on the speaker. Some Alexa tasks will still play through the Echo speaker, while Hulu, Netflix, etc., will play audio through the Bluetooth speaker. In this configuration, you can use the Fire TV remote to control Pandora, Spotify, and other music services through the Bluetooth speaker. Voice controls like “Alexa, open Pandora” will still control Alexa on the Echo device, but commands like “Alexa, stop” or “Alexa, play” will control the Fire TV app. Otherwise, the Echo Alexa will play from the Bluetooth speaker, while Fire TV content will play through the TV speakers.
Use Alexa on Compatible Third-Party Devices
The exceptions are speakers like the UE Boom 2 and Megaboom, which include a feature called “Say it to Play it.” These speakers access virtual assistance on iOS and Android devices to stream music from various services. Follow these steps to connect Alexa to your Bluetooth speaker: New devices are constantly added, so if yours isn’t listed here, search for the speaker in the Play Store or App Store. These are links to the apps for just a few of the third-party speakers that include built-in Alexa support: UE Boom & Megaboom UE Blast & Megablast Libratone Zipp Sonos One Onkyo
