The Amazon Echo has evolved from an unknown speaker that no one knew how to use to a standard in consumer tech. Over the years Amazon has improved the Echo and Alexa (the AI behind it), and the feature "Alexa Routines" is one of its most important additions. Routines are able to condense complex commands into one simple command. Here's how you can set up Routines on Amazon Echo with Alexa.
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Best intro device for Alexa: Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Amazon Alexa app: Control and configure Alexa
How to create Routines in Alexa App
Routines can be as simple or as complex as you like. We've put together a few tips to help you get started. Let's first create a Routine that can be activated using voice command.
Open the Alexa app on either your tablet or phone. Tap the More icon (3 lines) at the bottom of the screen. Tap Routines. Tap the + icon at the top-right corner of your screen. Tap to enter your new routine name or leave it blank. Choose When it happens. Select a trigger/prompt that will set off your Routine. We've chosen Voice. Enter your trigger phrase. Click Next. Tap Add action. Select the actions that you wish to add. We asked Alexa to perform a song. Click Next. Click Save. Select the device from which you wish to trigger the Routine. Once you have added all the actions that you want, tap Save in the upper right corner.
Here's where the fun begins. You can now program Alexa to say hello, play music, tell you the weather, update you on the news, adjust the volume of your Echo, and brief you on traffic. These commands can be added as many times as you like. Once you have a few, you can arrange the order in which Alexa will respond by pressing down on each line and moving them up and down.
How to create Scheduled Routines within the Alexa app
You can trigger Routines by using a special command. They will also go off at a specific time of the day.
Open the Alexa app on either your tablet or phone. Tap the More icon (3 lines) at the bottom of the screen. Tap Routines. Tap the + icon at the top-right corner of your screen. Tap to enter your new routine name, or leave it blank. Choose When it happens. Select Schedule. You can tap on Schedule to set the Routine to run at a particular time or choose to have it start at Sunrise or Sunset. You can choose which days the Routine should run. Select At time. You can set the time that you want your routines to run. Tap OK. Tap Next. Tap Add action. Tap on the action you want to add, such music. Enter the song that you want to play. Select the device from which you wish to play the song. Next. Tap Next.
The Routines page of the Alexa app allows you to view all your Routines. You can tap on any existing Routine to access controls for temporarily disabling it or deleting it.
Alexa will help you get into a routine
The scheduled Alexa Routines work on all Alexa speakers, displays, smart devices, or smart devices. Spoken Alexa Routines work on your tablet or phone with Amazon Alexa installed. The Amazon Echo line continues to offer the best experience.
