Simplify your smarts

Here’s how to set up your Echo Plus, connect devices and enjoy the freedom of an (almost) hubless smart home

Get the Alexa app

Download the Amazon Alexa app from your app store, then sign in using your Amazon details. Now power on your Echo, and in the app tap the menu button, hit Settings, and tap ‘Set up a new device’. Choose Echo Plus from the list, choose your language and hit Continue when the Echo is glowing orange.

Connect to wi-fi

In the next screen you’ll be able to choose your Wi-Fi network from the list, so tap the one that you use. Enter the password you use for this network, hit Enter and the app will start setting up your Echo Plus. With setup complete, you should see your Echo Plus in the list of devices in the Settings area of the app.

add device s

Normally, when you add a device you need to enable the respective Skill, but you don’t with Zigbee-compatible devices like Philips Hue bulbs. Simply go into the main menu of the app, hit Smart Home and tap Add Device. Alexa will then search for the device and add it. Alternatively, just say, “Alexa, find my devices”.

CONTROL DEVICES

At the most basic level, the easiest way to control your newly added devices is just to say, “Alexa, turn on [device name].” Alternatively, and this is the best method if you’re away from home, go into the app and under Devices, hit the name of the device that you want to control. Then just tap the On button to activate it.

CREATE A GROUP

In the Smart Home area of the main menu, hit the Groups tab and tap Add Group and then hit Smart Home Group. Choose a name for your group, hit Next and check the Echo device and any smart home devices to associate with it, and tap Save. Now, when you say, “Alexa, turn on [group name],” you can control it.

USE MULTI ROOM

If you have multiple Echo devices, you can play your music across them all. Go to the Groups tab once more, tap Add Group and choose Amazon Multi-Room Music Group. Choose a name for the group, hit Next and select the devices to play music on. Now hit Save. Say, “Play [music] on [group name],” to play music.