To pair Alexa with your phone, turn on the phone’s Bluetooth, say Alexa, pair, then select your Echo in the phone’s Bluetooth device list. To connect an external Bluetooth speaker, put the speaker in pairing mode and select it through Devices > your Echo > Device Settings > Bluetooth Devices > Pair A New Device in the Alexa app.
Your phone sends audio to the Echo, while an external speaker plays audio coming from the Echo. Use voice pairing with an already configured Echo smart speaker or Echo Show, or use the display controls described below for an Echo Show or Echo Spot.
The short version
- Phone audio: Turn on Bluetooth, say Alexa, pair, and select your Echo on the phone.
- External speaker: Put the speaker in pairing mode, then select it through Pair A New Device in your Echo’s Alexa app settings.
- Echo display: Open Settings > Device Options > Bluetooth, find your device, and select Connect.
- Reconnect later: Enable Bluetooth on the previously paired device, address your Echo with its configured wake word, and say Pair Bluetooth.
| Pairing route | Where to start | What to select |
|---|---|---|
| Phone pairing by voice | Say Alexa, pair | Your Echo in the phone’s Bluetooth list |
| Alexa app pairing | Devices > your Echo > Device Settings | Bluetooth Devices > Pair A New Device |
| Alexa+ display pairing | Menu > Settings | Device Options > Bluetooth |
| Original Alexa display pairing | Swipe down and select Settings | Device Options > Bluetooth |
| Display settings by voice | Address your Echo and say Go to Settings | Device Options > Bluetooth |
| iPhone or iPad pairing | Settings > Bluetooth | Your Echo’s name |
| Android pairing | Touch and hold Bluetooth in the swipe-down controls | Pair new device, then your Echo |
| Pixel pairing | Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth | Pair new device, then your Echo |
| Windows 11 Settings pairing | Settings > Bluetooth & devices | Add device > Bluetooth |
| Windows 11 Quick Settings pairing | The Network, Sound, or Battery taskbar icon | Manage Bluetooth devices, then your Echo under New devices |
| Mac pairing | System Settings > Bluetooth | Connect beside your Echo |
| Chromebook pairing | Select the time, then Bluetooth | + Pair new device, then your Echo |
Get your devices ready
Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, or put an external speaker into its manufacturer’s pairing mode. A speaker’s pairing button or companion app procedure depends on the model. When a spoken request below omits the wake word, first address your Echo using its configured wake word.
If you need the Alexa app, open your mobile device’s app store and search for Amazon Alexa. On compatible Android devices, select Install on the official Google Play listing; on iPhone or iPad, use the installation control on the official App Store listing. Select Open and sign in with your Amazon account. The iPhone and iPad app requires iOS 17.0 or later or iPadOS 17.0 or later.
Pair your phone by voice
Open your phone’s Bluetooth settings and turn on Bluetooth, then say Alexa, pair. Select the Echo when its name appears in the phone’s device list. Once connected, play audio on your phone to hear it through the Echo.
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth. Make the Echo discoverable with the voice request, then tap the Echo’s name when it appears.
On Android, make the Echo discoverable, swipe down from the top of the phone’s screen, then touch and hold Bluetooth. Tap Pair new device, then tap the Echo’s name. Manufacturer menus can differ, and some steps in Google’s Android interface require Android 15 or later.
On a Pixel phone, make the Echo discoverable, then open Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth. Turn on Use Bluetooth, tap Pair new device, then tap your Echo’s name. To reconnect later, select the paired but disconnected Echo.
Connect a speaker through the Alexa app
Put your Bluetooth speaker in pairing mode, then open the Alexa app. Tap Devices, select your Echo, and open Device Settings > Bluetooth Devices > Pair A New Device. Select the speaker when it appears among the discovered devices.
This app procedure applies to Bluetooth-capable Echo speakers, including Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Dot Max, Echo Pop, and Echo Studio. You can also use it to select a phone in pairing mode, with the phone supplying audio to the Echo. For an Echo Show or Echo Spot, use the display instructions below.
If the speaker is already connected elsewhere, follow its manufacturer’s procedure to make it discoverable again. Then return to Pair A New Device and select the speaker when it appears.
Pair directly on an Echo display
Put the other device in pairing mode before opening the display’s settings. On an Echo display running Alexa+, select Menu > Settings > Device Options > Bluetooth. Select Scan if necessary, find your device, and select Connect.
With original Alexa, swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings > Device Options > Bluetooth. Select Scan if necessary, find your device, and select Connect.
You can also put the other device in pairing mode, address your Echo, and say Go to Settings. Select Device Options > Bluetooth, select Scan if needed, then find your device and select Connect.
Amazon includes Echo Spot in its display pairing instructions. Amazon also warns that Echo Hub and every generation of Echo Show 5 may have different menus, so the labels on your display may differ from this path.
Connect a computer to your Echo
Make your already configured Echo discoverable with its Bluetooth pairing procedure, then complete the connection on your computer. The Windows steps below use Windows 11 menus. These computer controls apply to compatible Bluetooth audio connections; compatibility depends on your computer and Echo combination.
On a Bluetooth-equipped Windows 11 PC, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn on Bluetooth. Select Add device > Bluetooth, choose your Echo, and select Done when pairing finishes.
Alternatively, on Windows 11, select the Network, Sound, or Battery icon beside the taskbar clock and turn on Bluetooth. Select the Manage Bluetooth devices chevron on the Bluetooth quick setting, then select your Echo under New devices. Select Done when pairing completes.
On a Mac, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth if necessary. Hold the pointer over your Echo and click Connect. If you need to direct sound to it afterward, open System Settings > Sound > Output and select your Echo.
On a Bluetooth-capable Chromebook, select the time at the bottom right, open Bluetooth, and turn it on. Select + Pair new device, then select your Echo. Alternatively, open Settings > Bluetooth > Pair new device and select your Echo. A successful connection appears under Currently connected.
Reconnect or switch devices
After the first pairing, turn on Bluetooth on the previously paired phone or speaker. Address your Echo and say Pair Bluetooth to reconnect. Certain compatible devices also reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is enabled and you bring them within range.
To stop a phone’s Bluetooth audio connection to an Echo or Echo Show, say Alexa, disconnect from Bluetooth. You can then pair or reconnect the device you want to use. Disconnecting keeps the pairing available for another time.
You can also reconnect from the other device’s Bluetooth controls. On Android, select your Echo under Saved devices. On a Mac, open Control Center > Bluetooth and select your Echo.
Allow discovery permissions when pairing fails
If Alexa requests Bluetooth access on an iPhone or iPad, tap OK. To review that permission later, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth and enable Alexa if it appears. Apple says many Bluetooth audio uses do not require app permission, so you may not receive this request.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > See all apps > Amazon Alexa > Permissions. If Nearby devices is listed, select it and select Allow. Return to Alexa and retry pairing. This permission’s availability depends on the app and Android build.
Remove an old pairing and update your Echo
When an existing pairing prevents a successful connection, open the Alexa app and select Devices, your Echo, then Settings > Bluetooth Devices. Select the unwanted device and choose Forget Device. Repeat for other devices as needed, then repeat the pairing procedure.
On an Echo Show or Echo Spot running Alexa+, select Menu > Settings; with original Alexa, swipe down and select Settings. Open Device Options > Bluetooth, select Info beside the device, and choose Forget Device. Repeat pairing if needed. Echo Hub and all Echo Show 5 generations may use different menus.
You can also remove a stale pairing on your phone before trying again. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth, tap More Info beside your Echo, and select Forget this Device. On Android, open Settings for the Echo in the Bluetooth device list and tap Forget. Then repeat pairing.
If pairing still fails, address your supported Echo and say Check for software updates. Wait for the update to finish, then retry Bluetooth pairing.
On a supported Echo display, including Echo Spot, select Menu > Settings with Alexa+, or swipe down and select Settings with original Alexa. Select About this Device > Check for Software Updates, then retry pairing after installation. Echo Hub and all Echo Show 5 generations may have different menus.
If you are following older instructions that send you to Alexa’s former browser device-management interface, that interface has been retired. Use the mobile Alexa app, voice pairing, or your Echo’s display controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bluetooth bulbs and plugs use the same pairing steps?
Alexa-compatible Bluetooth bulbs and plugs use smart-home discovery with a compatible Echo. Power on the accessory, address your Echo with its configured wake word, and say Discover devices. Alternatively, open Devices in Alexa, tap the plus icon, and select Add Device. Select the brand or device type and follow its manufacturer’s setup instructions.
How do you put an OontZ Clip into pairing mode?
For an OontZ Clip already connected to another device, press and hold its Bluetooth button for 3 seconds. Its blue light begins flashing, after which you can select it through your Echo’s pairing procedure. Other speakers have their own pairing-button instructions.
Can you make a Bose speaker discoverable from its app?
For a Bose SoundLink Max SE already added to the Bose app, tap Source > Bluetooth > Add New. Then use your Echo’s Bluetooth pairing controls to select the speaker. This app path applies specifically to that Bose model.
Which Bluetooth profiles should you check when a device will not connect?
Amazon specifies A2DP SNK and AVRCP support in its Bluetooth troubleshooting requirements. Check your accessory’s specifications for those profiles when investigating compatibility.