How to Play Music on Alexa GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Smart Home
How to Play Music on Alexa
The most popular Alexa feature
By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 4, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section What You Need Use the Alexa App Use Voice Commands Use Your Smartphone Use a PC Use Alexa on Fire TV One of the many functions Alexa can do is control music playback on the Echo and a number of third-party Alexa-enabled smart speakers and related devices. Here is a look at how to get started playing music with Alexa. What You Need
Internet access and Wi-Fi Amazon Echo (also includes the Dot, Show, Spot, and Studio), or other compatible Alexa-enabled devices (select third-party speakers, soundbars), or Fire TV devices. A smartphone with the Alexa app installed. Subscription to one or more compatible music services. Play Music Using the Alexa App
Here is how to set up Alexa to play music on a compatible device. Open the Alexa app and select Options (the hamburger menu on the top left or right corner) > Settings. In Settings select Music. Check the list of available services. You can connect Alexa to a variety of music services, including: Amazon Music, Deezer, Gimme, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, Apple Music/iTunes, and several others. Before streaming, you may need to establish an account with each music service. If you don't see one of the above music services on your selection list, go to the Alexa Skills category in the Alexa App and activate the skill associated with the service you want to add. Follow any account setup and linking instructions. Choose a Default Music Service from the list. When using Alexa to play music but don't specify a specific service, Alexa and Echo will go to your default music service first. If you don't choose a default music service, Alexa will play songs from Amazon Music. Activate Explicit Filter settings if desired (optional). Use Voice Commands
There are several ways to play music on your Echo devices using Alexa voice commands. Depending on the music service, not all voice commands are applicable. Alexa voice command features may vary by country or device. If you don't want to use Alexa's voice commands, you can use the playback controls on the Alexa App or Echo Show using the touchscreen. Basic Music Commands
"Shuffle" or "Stop shuffle.""Stop" or "Pause.""Play" or "Resume." Music Service Commands may vary depending on service
"Play song, album, or artist.""Play happy or sad music.""Play station (name of music station).""Play (name of playlist).""Who's the lead singer for (band)?""Add song, album, artist to (playlist name).""Create a playlist." Amazon Prime Music Commands
"Play a Prime Playlist.""Play (song title) from Prime Music""Show me songs, playlists, genres from Prime Music." Using Alexa's voice commands, you can adjust the volume or use the Alexa Equalizer (if available for your device) to adjust the bass, treble, and midrange frequencies. In addition to voice commands, you can navigate music playback options on your smartphone with the Alexa app touchscreen controls. The Alexa app (and Echo Show/Spot) can display song titles, album covers, and song lyrics (when available). Use Alexa With Bluetooth From Smartphone
You can use Bluetooth to stream music from your smartphone to your Echo or select Alexa-enabled devices. This will enable you to play music from other services that may not be offered by the Alexa app, as well as music stored on your smartphone On your smartphone, select Settings > Bluetooth. Open the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone. Tap Scan for Devices. The Echo or other compatible device should appear. Say Alexa Pair or Tap your Echo Device to continue the pairing process. When the pairing process is completed, you should hear Alexa announce that both devices are connected. If you don't want to use the "Alexa Pair" voice command, you can also use your smartphone's Bluetooth pairing option as shown below. You can also use Bluetooth to stream music from an Echo to a separate Bluetooth Speaker. Once paired (connected) you can control playback using Alexa commands, touchscreen controls in the Alexa app or Echo or Alexa-enabled device. Use Alexa and Bluetooth With a PC
You can also use Bluetooth to stream music from a PC to your Echo device. This works best with a Windows 10 PC. Enable Bluetooth on your PC. Sign in to your Amazon Account on the Amazon Alexa webpage. Go to Settings in your Alexa Account and click on your Echo Device or another compatible device. Select Bluetooth. Select Pair New Device and select your PC when prompted. In your PC's Bluetooth and other devices page, a prompt will appear asking you to pair devices—choose Allow. When pairing is confirmed, a prompt will appear saying "connection completed"—click on Close. Your PC is added to Alexa's Bluetooth Devices list. If there are multiple paired devices on the list, highlight the Bluetooth icon for the device (such as your PC) you want to connect for music playback at any given time. You should be able to stream music from online streaming services, media server software (such as Plex), or downloaded/ripped music files (such as from CDs) from your PC on your Echo device (barring any file compatibility issues). In addition to using Alexa to control music playback from a Bluetooth source, you can also use Bluetooth to stream music from an Echo to a separate Bluetooth speaker. Use Alexa to Play Music on Fire TV
In addition to Echo and related audio devices, Alexa can also play Music on Fire TV devices, including Fire Edition TVs. Here's how: Highlight Apps on the main Fire TV or Fire Edition TV Menu and select Categories. In Categories, select Music and Audio. Select a music app to listen to and use Alexa voice commands to control available playback options. How to Play YouTube Videos on Alexa Devices How to Play SiriusXM On Alexa Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Set up the Amazon Echo Show How to Play YouTube Videos on Alexa Devices How to Connect Your Android Phone to Alexa How to Play SiriusXM On Alexa How to Fix It When Alexa says the Echo is Offline How to Connect Amazon Echo to Your Sonos Speakers How to Connect Alexa to Your Computer What Is Alexa? How to Get Alexa to Play Amazon Music How to Use the Alexa Equalizer to Fine Tune Your Music Listening How to Skype With Alexa What Is an Alexa Preferred Speaker and How to Set One Up How to Play Podcasts on Alexa How to Connect Spotify to Alexa How to Fix 8 Common Alexa and Amazon Echo Issues How to Pair Alexa With a Bluetooth Speaker Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies