Setting Up Your Alexa device

The Set Up Overview:

 

1. Download the Alexa app on the phone or get the Alexa app on a computer at alexa.amazon.com.
2. Make sure your phone or computer is connected to the wifi network where the Amazon device is going to reside. (If you are on your phone, make sure you aren't on data and take note of the wifi password. You will need it later.)
3. Log in with the Amazon account that you want the device to be connected to using an email address and Amazon password. (This could be an existing account or a new account.)
4. Plug in the Alexa device and the ring should be flashing orange.
5. Go into the app and follow the instructions. (Go to Settings, Set Up New Device, and follow from there. You will have to put in the wifi password so the Amazon Alexa device has permission to use the wifi. For phones, you will have to go into your phone wifi settings and "choose" the Amazon device to give it access first.)
6. Make decisions about the account.

 

The Detailed Steps (if needed):

 

Step 1:   GET THE AMAZON ALEXA APP

Have a smartphone, a computer, or a tablet available to download the Alexa App. You will need this to activate your Amazon Alexa device.

1. On an iPhone, go to the Apple Store and download the app. (You will most likely need your Apple ID.)
2. On an Android, go to the Google Play store and download the app. (You will most likely need your Google password.)
3. On a computer, go to alexa.amazon.com.

 

Step 2:   CONNECT TO THE WIFI NETWORK WHERE THE AMAZON ALEXA DEVICE WILL RESIDE

Make sure you on are on the wifi network where the Amazon Alexa device will be staying. So, if you are at your house, make sure your phone is not using your data plan but is using the wifi connection in the house. If you are setting it up somewhere else, make sure you are on the wifi network of wherever it is you are, it could be your mother's house, or even a nursing home guest network.

1. You will need the wifi password of the network you are joining. You can get the password a multiple of ways.
   1. Ask someone.
   2. Find the router and look on the back of the router.
   3. If you have Verizon or Comcast, if you go to the customer support screens on your TV, you can find the password.
2. Capitalization matters for wifi passwords! And look out for the letter "O"s that look like the number "0"s. Numbers are usually thinner than letters or the numbers could have a slash through them.

 

Step 3:   LOG IN WITH THE AMAZON ACCOUNT THE DEVICE SHOULD BE CONNECTED TO

Log in with the Amazon account that you want the device to be connected to. (As a caregiver, if you use your account, you can "see" what your care partner asks for when interacting with Alexa if you look on the Alexa app. Also, if you have a prime account, your care partner will have access to your Prime music offerings and free Prime Audible offerings.)

 

Step 4:  PLUG IN THE ALEXA DEVICE

1. Go into the Amazon Alexa app, go to Settings, and then choose "Set Up New Device."
2. Follow the instructions to connect the device and your wifiand put in the wifi password so the Amazon Alexa device has permission to use the wifi. You may have to go into your phone wifi settings and "choose" the Amazon device to give it access first.

 

Step 5:   MAKE DECISIONS

1. Decide whether you want to download contacts. (Please note that if you do download contacts, it downloads ALL the contacts from your phone. You can use the intercom "drop in" function and use Alexa to talk between two devices that are connected on the same Amazon account without downloading contacts. You can also change this later.)
2. Change the name of the Alexa device. (You can change it to Mom, or bedroom, or office, or your name, whatever makes sense.) You do this by choosing the device that you just set up in Settings.
3. Change the physical mailing address of the device to the address of where the device resides. (Good for weather.)
4. Set up a pin code so people can't order Amazon items just by asking.

 

Step 6:   PRACTICE! DON'T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES

1. Start practicing and having fun!
2. Start all commands with "Alexa."
3. If she doesn't do what you ask, say "Alexa, stop."