You may not have flying cars or auto cooking devices. Still, the power to control everything from the temperature of your AC to lights in your bedroom using nothing more than your voice confirms that you are living in a futuristic and exciting world. However, before you control the lights (or AC), you need to connect those smart lights to Alexa through your Amazon Echo app.
Here, we will explain how you can setup and control smart lights with the Alexa app through iOS and Android devices. So, have a read.
How to Setup Smart Lights with Alexa?
To get started, you need the Alexa app available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Tablets. You will probably have the app on your device already if you have an Amazon Echo.
Before you turn on a light bulb, you must install and setup your device, plug, or switch. In some cases, you will need to install the manufacturer’s app, create an account and setup the light there first.
Once that’s done, follow these steps –
- Open Alexa app
- Click on Devices at the bottom
- Then tap on the”+” icon at the top right
- Now click on Add Device
- Select the type of device you are setting up (light, plug, or switch)
- Select the brand
- Follow the on-screen instructions to link the account for the device with your Amazon account
- Then authorize the Alexa app to use the account.
Once the device setup is done, you should be able to see it when you tap on lights, plugs, and switches on the device’s screen in the Alexa app.
If you want to rename your device, follow these steps.
- Open Alexa app
- Tap on the device in the list
- Then click on the cog icon at the top right
- Now select Edit name
Note: It is best if you use short and single word names so that Alexa can easily understand.
How to Turn On A Smart Light with Alexa?
To turn on a light bulb with Alexa through the Amazon Echo app, you can simply give a command saying, “Alexa, turn on (name of the device).
If your switch or light supports changing colors or dimming, you can also say:
- “Alexa, dim the bedroom.”
- “Alexa, make the dining brighter.”
- “Alexa, change the front light into green.”
How To Control Groups of Smart Lights with Alexa?
- Launch the Alexa app
- Go to Devices
- Tap the “+” icon from the top right
- Now click on Create a room or device group
- Click on Next
- Select the pre-defined room names or add a personalized name for the group
- Then click on the devices you want to be in the group
- Select Next
- Add any Alexa devices (or skip the step if you want)
- Now Save your room
Once this is done, you can say, “Alexa, turn off the bedroom,” and all the devices in that room will be switched off.
Can Alexa Turn Smart Lights and Devices On and Off on A Schedule?
Yes, Alexa can do that. You just need to create a Routine to make that work. You can create more than one routine and they can control individual lights (or any devices) or groups of lights (or any devices). To make a routine, follow these steps:
Open the Alexa app
Tap on the three lines at the top left, or just swipe in from the left to open the main menu
Then click on Routines
Tap on “+” icon
Now tap the “+” icon to the right of “When This Happens.”
Select Schedule
Then click on Next to At Time and select when you want the lights to turn on.
If you want to repeat this routine on certain days, select next to Repeat and pick the days.
Now tap on Next at the top
Once done, you will be taken back to the New Routine screen, where you need to click on the “+” next to Add action
From the list, Select Smart Home
Then either choose Control Device or Control Group
Once the new routine is saved, your light or group of lights will turn on and off at the set times.
Now you know how to setup and control smart lights with Alexa through the Amazon Echo app. If you are facing any issues while setting up, please contact the Amazon customer support team.
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.