Connect an External Speaker to Your Echo, Echo Dot, or Other Alexa Device

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Quickly and easily connect a wireless or wired external speaker to any Alexa device

Co-authored by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: September 13, 2024 Fact Checked

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Adding a Bluetooth Speaker

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Adding an External Speaker

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Tips

Are you unsatisfied with the sound quality you’re getting from your Amazon Echo? All of the Amazon Alexa devices – including the Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Show, Echo Spot, and Echo Dot – have built-in speakers, but you can easily boost your sound by connecting an external speaker. In this article, we’ll explain how to add a Bluetooth or wired speaker to your Alexa device in a few simple steps.

Quick Steps

Put your Bluetooth speaker in pairing mode.
Go to the Devices tab in the Alexa app and tap your Echo device.
Tap the gear-shaped Device Settings icon on the upper right.
Tap Bluetooth Devices.
Select Pair A New Device.
Tap your Bluetooth speaker in the list of available devices to pair it.
Use voice commands to connect or disconnect your speaker any time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Adding a Bluetooth Speaker

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Most Bluetooth speakers have a pairing button
that you will have to hold down. If you are uncertain, review your Bluetooth speaker's user guide for more information.^{[1]
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The Devices tab is at the bottom center of the app screen. From there, you will see a list of your connected Amazon devices. Tap on the Echo device to which you’ll be adding a speaker.

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It looks like a gear at the top right corner of the device menu.
It’s near the top of the menu, under the Wireless header.
You’ll see this blue button at the bottom of the screen.
If you successfully put your speaker in pairing mode, you should see it in the list that appears on the next screen. Tap on it to select it. After a moment, the speaker should connect to your Echo.
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Use voice commands to connect or disconnect your speaker. Once you’ve made the initial pairing, you can ask your Echo device to connect to your Bluetooth speaker at any time. Use a command like “Alexa, connect to [your speaker’s name]” or “Alexa, pair Bluetooth” to connect.
- You can disconnect this way, too. For example, say “Alexa, disconnect from [your speaker’s name].”
- You can also connect or disconnect your speaker in the Alexa app. Go to Devices > [your Echo device] and tap on your speaker to connect or disconnect.
- If you’re unable to connect, make sure your speaker is charged, in pairing mode, and close to your Echo. You might also need to check if the speaker is currently connected to a different device.
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Connect from the on-screen settings on an Echo Show or Echo Spot. If your Echo device has a screen, you don’t have to use the Alexa app. To connect:^{[2]
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- Make sure your Bluetooth speaker is in pairing mode.
- Say, “Echo, go to settings,” or swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings.
- Select Bluetooth, then find your device in the list and tap it to connect.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Adding an External Speaker

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Find or purchase a 3.5mm audio cable. If you do not already have one, purchase a 3.5mm audio cable – also known as an aux cord – that has male connections on each end.
- Many speakers already come with one of these cables. Before you buy a new one, check to see if one is included with your speaker.
On the back of your Alexa device, you should see two inputs: one for the power source and a round one for an audio cable. Plug the audio cable into the circular port.
Take the other end of the audio cable and plug it into the external speaker you wish to use. The location of the “Aux In” connection differs from speaker to speaker, so consult the speaker manual if you cannot locate it.
Once the audio cord is connected to both devices, make sure they are both powered on and you will be all set. The next time you ask Alexa something or play music on the Echo, the sound will come out of the external speaker.