Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs

Table of Contents

Alexa FAQs

1. How do I use Alexa?

Alexa allows you to ask questions and make requests using just your voice. For instance, you can ask Alexa a question, such as "What is the weather today in London?", or tell Alexa to do something, like "add cat food to my shopping list," or "play jazz." When you speak to Alexa, a recording of what you asked Alexa is sent to Amazon's cloud so we can process and respond to your request. You access Alexa differently based on the type of device you are using. For example, for "hands free" devices, like Amazon Echo, you access Alexa by saying the wake word (Alexa, Echo, Amazon or Computer). For other devices, like certain Fire tablets, you access Alexa by pressing a button.

2. Is Alexa recording all my conversations?

No. By default, Echo devices are designed to detect only your chosen wake word (Alexa, Amazon, Computer or Echo). The device detects the wake word by identifying acoustic patterns that match the wake word. No audio is stored or sent to the cloud unless the device detects the wake word (or Alexa is activated by pressing a button).

3.What happens when I speak to Alexa?

When you speak to Alexa, a recording of what you ask Alexa is sent to Amazon's cloud where we process your request and other information to respond to you. For example, when you ask "Alexa, play top hits on Amazon Music" we use the recording of your request and information from Amazon Music to play top hits.

4. How does Alexa minimize the amount of data sent to the cloud?

Alexa and Echo devices are designed to record as little audio as possible and minimize the amount of background noise streamed to the cloud. By default, Alexa-enabled devices only stream audio to the cloud if the wake word is detected (or Alexa is activated by pressing a button). When an Alexa-enabled device detects the wake word and begins streaming audio to the cloud, Alexa performs a "cloud verification" of the wake word using the more powerful processing capabilities of the cloud to double-check the audio to confirm detection of the wake word. If the cloud verification does not also detect the wake word, Alexa stops processing the audio and ends the audio stream to the cloud.

5. What about "false wakes"?

In some cases, your Alexa-enabled device might interpret another word or sound as the wake word (for instance, the name "Alex" or someone saying "Alexa" on the radio or television). When this happens, we call that a "false wake." We have a team of world-class scientists and engineers dedicated to continually improving our wake word detection technology and preventing false wakes from happening, including through the cloud verification mechanism described in the FAQ "How does Alexa minimize the amount of data sent to the cloud?"

Anytime your Echo device detects the wake word, a visual or audible indicator will signal it is recording audio to stream to the cloud, and you can review and delete the voice recordings associated with your account (including any audio resulting from a false wake) in your Voice History available at More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings.

6. Can I review and delete my Alexa voice recordings?

Yes. You can review Alexa voice recordings associated with your Amazon account and delete the voice recordings – one by one, by date range, by Alexa-enabled device, by attributed voice ID, or all at once – by visiting More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devicesor https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. From either page, you can also choose to have your Alexa voice recordings older than 3 or 18 months deleted automatically, or you can choose to not save any Alexa voice recordings. If you choose not to save any voice recordings, we will automatically delete your voice recordings after we process your requests and automatically delete all of the voice recordings currently in your Voice History as well. And you can delete all those voice recordings associated with your account at once for each of your Alexa-enabled devices and apps by visiting Manage Your Content and Devices (https://www.amazon.co.uk/mycd).

You can also enable the ability to delete your recordings by voice at More > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. When enabled, anyone with access to your Alexa-enabled devices can ask Alexa to delete voice recordings associated with your account. Deletion by voice is automatically enabled if any member of your household has created a voice ID and their voice is recognized when requesting to delete recordings by voice. You can delete the voice recording of your last request by saying "Alexa, delete what I just said", delete the voice recordings associated with your account for the day by saying "Alexa, delete everything I said today" or all the voice recordings associated with your account by saying “Alexa, delete everything I said.”

Deleting voice recordings may degrade your Alexa experience. If you choose not to save any voice recordings, voice ID may not work. Similarly, if you delete the voice recordings Alexa used to create your voice ID (by, for example, choosing to have your Alexa voice recordings older than 3 or 18 months deleted automatically), voice ID may not work.

If you have changed your default marketplace while using an Alexa-enabled product, you will need to delete all Alexa voice recordings associated with your account separately for each marketplace. To learn how to transfer your Amazon account to another marketplace, go here.

7. What happens when I delete my Alexa voice recordings?

When you delete Alexa voice recordings associated with your account from Voice History, we will delete the voice recordings that you selected and the text transcripts of those recordings from Amazon's cloud. If you choose not to have any Alexa voice recordings saved, the text transcripts of your requests will be retained for 30 days, after which they will be automatically deleted. We retain those text transcripts to allow you to review the requests you make to Alexa in your Voice History, and to improve your Alexa experience and our services. You can delete the text transcripts at any time in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices by going to More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings.

After we delete your voice recordings, we may still retain certain records of your Alexa interactions, including records of actions Alexa took in response to your requests. This allows us, for instance, to continue to provide your reminders, timers, and alarms, process your orders, personalise your experience, show your shopping lists, tasks, and messages sent through Alexa Communication. If your request was processed by an Alexa skill, deleting your voice recordings does not delete any information retained by the developer of that skill (skill developers do not receive voice recordings). For more information on Alexa skills, refer to the FAQ "How do Alexa skills work?" For more information on removing messages sent through Alexa Communication, refer to the FAQ "How do I remove Alexa messages from my conversation list?" For more information on deleting the voice recordings you used to teach Alexa your voice when you created a voice ID, refer to the FAQ "How does voice ID work?"

8. What is Alexa's Voice History feature?

Voice History is a feature that allows you to play the audio of your voice recordings that were streamed to the cloud, review the text transcript of what Alexa thought you said, and review Alexa's response. This feature can help you better understand how Alexa works and what Alexa is and is not recording. You can also use it to recall answers Alexa gave you previously, such as the name of a restaurant Alexa recommended. If Alexa makes a mistake, you can use this feature to see what may have gone wrong, such as whether Alexa misunderstood a particular word or phrase. You can access Alexa's Voice History by visiting More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. You can also help us improve our voice services by providing feedback within your Voice History.

9. How are my voice recordings used?

Alexa uses your voice recordings and other information, including from third-party services, to answer your questions, fulfill your requests, and improve your experience and our services. We associate your requests with your Amazon account to allow you to review your voice recordings, access other Amazon services (e.g., so you can ask Alexa to read your Kindle books and play audiobooks from Audible), and to provide you with a more personalized experience. For example, keeping track of the songs you have listened to helps Alexa choose what songs to play when you say, "Alexa, play music." At times, Alexa can provide you with recommendations based on your requests. For example, Alexa may recommend Alexa skills you might like based on the Alexa skills you use.

10. How do my voice recordings and text transcripts improve Alexa?

Alexa is a continuously improving service that is designed to get smarter every day. For example, we use your requests to Alexa to train our speech recognition and natural language understanding systems using machine learning. Training Alexa with real world requests from a diverse range of customers is necessary for Alexa to respond properly to the variation in our customers' speech patterns, dialects, accents, and vocabulary and the acoustic environments where customers use Alexa. This training relies in part on supervised machine learning, an industry-standard practice where humans review an extremely small sample of requests to help Alexa understand the correct interpretation of a request and provide the appropriate response in the future. For example, a human reviewing a customer's request for the weather in Austin can identify that Alexa misinterpreted it as a request for the weather in Boston. This helps Alexa, distinguish sounds you choose to detect, such as the sound of breaking glass, from other background noises. Our supervised learning process includes multiple safeguards to protect customer privacy. You can manage the use of your voice recordings to improve our services and develop new features by visiting More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. If you have a voice ID, you can also manage this setting by saying, “Alexa, update my privacy settings” or “Alexa, turn on/off human review of my voice recordings.”

11. How can I manage my Alexa advertising preferences?

Certain experiences on Alexa, such as streaming music or news videos on your Echo Show device, may contain ads. Some of those ads may be interest-based. Interest-based ads, sometimes referred to as personalised or targeted ads, present you with features, products, and services that might be of interest to you based on your interactions with certain content or services. We offer you settings to manage your interest-based advertising preferences.

We make available unique, user-resettable identifiers called advertising IDs to third-party skill developers and content providers (like radio providers) for advertising and analytics purposes. Each third-party developer and content provider receives a different Alexa Advertising ID for you, and a different Alexa Advertising ID for each device you use to access the applicable third-party skill or content. You can instruct these third parties not to use these advertising IDs to deliver interest-based ads to you or to build profiles for advertising. Developers and content providers are responsible for honouring your preferences.

To manage your preferences for third parties and reset your Alexa Advertising IDs, visit More > Alexa Privacy > Manage Skill Permissions and Ad Preferences in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. Even if you turn this setting off, developers and content providers will still receive Alexa Advertising IDs for other purposes, such as reducing ad repetition and fraud detection, but you can reset your Alexa Advertising IDs at any time.

You can also choose whether to allow us to use cookies to serve interest-based ads delivered by Amazon on Alexa. If you do not consent to our use of cookies to serve interest-based ads, you may still receive personalised recommendations and other similar features. You will still receive ads provided by Amazon, but they will not be based on your interests. You can manage this setting at More > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. This setting will not affect the use of cookies when you use other Amazon apps or services, such as Fire TV, even if you use Alexa to interact with those apps or services. To learn more about Amazon’s interest-based advertising, see our Interest-Based Ads notice. To learn more about Amazon’s use of cookies, see our Cookies notice.

12. How do Alexa skills work?

Skills enable developers to make content or services available to you on Alexa. You can view and enable skills in the Alexa  app and enable certain skills by voice. You can use a skill by saying a specific phrase, called the invocation name. When you use a skill, we may exchange related information with the developer of that skill, such as your answers when you play a trivia skill, your postcode when you ask for the weather, or the content of your requests, which may include text transcripts (but not your voice recordings). If you make a request to Alexa without using a skill invocation name, we may send the content of your request to several skills, and enable and launch the skill we think is best able to respond to your request. The Alexa app contains more information about skills, such as privacy policies and terms provided by skill developers. By default, we do not share your personal information with skill developers. You can choose to grant us permission to shareadditional information with a skill developer (such as your name and email address with a restaurant booking skill to make a reservation). You can see and manage the skills that you granted permission to access specific additional information through More > Alexa Privacy > Manage Skill Permissions and Ad Preferences in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings.

13. How does voice purchasing work?

You can ask Alexa to order or reorder eligible products available for sale through the Amazon website. You can also subscribe to eligible services using Alexa, or purchase products and services through Alexa skills using your default payment and delivery settings. You can require a speakable confirmation code, turn purchasing off, and see product and order details in your Alexa app or alexa.amazon.co.uk for those orders. Just like orders placed through the Amazon website, orders placed through Alexa are subject to Amazon.co.uk's Conditions of Use & Sale (https://www.amazon.co.uk/conditions) and, in the case of a subscription for a service, the terms for the applicable service.

Some Alexa skills allow you to purchase non-digital products or services from the developer of the skill (for instance, order food through a restaurant's skill) via Amazon Pay using your default payment and delivery settings. You can view your Amazon Pay order history and find additional information for those purchases on the Amazon Pay website.

Some other Alexa skills allow you to purchase products and services from the developer of the skill using a payment method you provide directly to the developer. Your voice purchasing settings may not apply to those purchases.

14. Can I turn off voice purchasing?

Yes, Alexa has voice purchasing settings. Open More > Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing in the Alexa app (https://alexa.amazon.co.uk/#settings/shopping) to turn off voice purchasing from Amazon. You can also require an optional confirmation code that Alexa will ask you to say out loud when you want to place an order from Amazon.

15. What are the return and cancellation policies for purchases I make using Alexa?

For information on return policies applicable to products purchased on Amazon using Alexa, see About Our Returns Policies. In addition, non-digital products purchased using Alexa are eligible for free returns. To return a product purchased using Alexa, process your return as normal in the Returns Centre. We'll automatically refund you any delivery charges applied to the return. You should see the delivery refund within 7 days of receiving your product refund.

Amazon's return policies do not apply to purchases of non-digital products or services made through third-party Alexa skills (for instance, a food order placed through a restaurant's skill). Instead, the returns policy of the applicable skill developer applies. However, the Amazon Pay A-to-z Guarantee covers qualified purchases of physical products made through third-party Alexa skills using Amazon Pay.

Purchases of digital content are final. However, if you accidentally purchase digital content or a subscription to a non-Amazon service through Alexa, that purchase is eligible for return and refund if we receive your request within 7 days of the date of purchase. To request a refund, please contact customer service. You may cancel the auto-renewal of a subscription to a non-Amazon service by visiting the detail page for the applicable Alexa skill in your Alexa app and adjusting your subscription settings; you will not receive a refund of any fees already paid.

For subscriptions to Amazon services, see the terms of use for the applicable subscription for information on refund eligibility and cancellation terms.

16. What is a kid skill and how do I give or revoke permission to use kid skills?

Kid skills are skills that have been identified by the developer as directed to children. We require permission from a parent before kid skills can be used. You'll be asked to give permission the first time you attempt to use a kid skill. You can find more information about each kid skill, including any terms provided by the developer of the skill, on the detail page for the skill in your Alexa app. Learn More.

You can review or change permissions by visiting the Manage Parental Permission (https://www.amazon.co.uk/myh/vpc/manage) page on Amazon.co.uk or by contacting Customer Service (https://www.amazon.co.uk/contact-us).

To learn more, please visit our Children's Privacy Notice.

17. How does voice ID work?

You can create a voice ID for your profile so Alexa can call you by name, recognise you when you speak to your Alexa-enabled devices, and do more to personalise your experience. When you create a voice ID, Alexa uses recordings of your voice to create an acoustic model of your voice characteristics. Alexa stores these acoustic models in the cloud. If your voice ID is not recognised for 18 months, we will automatically delete the acoustic model for your voice. If Alexa recognises your voice when you are using a third-party skill, that skill may receive a numeric identifier that allows it to distinguish you from other users in your household to better personalise your experience. You can delete your voice ID or turn off personalisation of third-party skills based on voice ID in the Alexa app. If you taught Alexa your voice by reciting training phrases that Alexa asked you to recite, deleting your voice ID will also delete the voice recordings of those phrases. If you taught Alexa your voice in the course of a conversation with Alexa, the voice recordings used to create your voice ID will appear in your Voice History and can be deleted there, but if you delete them, your voice ID may no longer work.

18. How does visual ID work?

You can create a visual ID on compatible Echo Show devices, so Alexa can recognize you, display content specific to you on the device's home screen, and further personalize your experience. For example, when your face is detected, Alexa may send a signal to the cloud to deliver reminders and news stories that are relevant to you. You can also create a visual ID for your child, to help Alexa show age-appropriate content on the device’s home screen when Alexa recognizes them. Visual ID uses images of your face to create a numeric representation of your facial characteristics and updates this representation over time to improve Alexa's ability to recognize you. Alexa stores these images and numeric representation on-device. When a person is within the field of view of the device's camera, the device uses on-device processing to attempt to match that person with the visual IDs of enrolled users. No images or video are stored in the cloud to provide visual ID. You can delete your visual ID at any time through Settings on your device or in the Alexa app. If your face is not recognized for 18 months, we will automatically delete your visual ID. Deleting your visual ID will also delete the images used to create it.

19. What is Local Voice Control?

Local Voice Control allows Alexa to fulfill a limited set of requests on select Echo devices when the device is not connected to the internet, such as requests to control supported lights, plugs, and switches. After your Echo device regains its internet connection, the recording of your request is sent to the cloud and available to review at More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. You can turn Local Voice Control off by visiting More > SettingsDevice Settings in the Alexa app.

20. How does Amazon use the permissions I grant the Alexa app?

The Alexa app requests mobile device permissions to hear your requests, provide more personalized results, help you set up your Alexa-enabled devices, and support certain Alexa features. Below is a list of certain permissions the Alexa app may request, along with a description of some of the ways Amazon currently uses those permissions. You can manage the permissions you grant to the Alexa app in the settings for your mobile device.

Microphone. We use your mobile device's microphone to support voice interactions with Alexa. On some mobile devices, we also need the microphone access and permission to process audio from your Alexa-enabled Bluetooth devices.

Contacts. We use your mobile device contacts to help you call, message, and connect with your friends and family. To learn more about how we use your contacts for Alexa Communication, please see the Alexa Communication FAQs below.

Location. We use your mobile device's geolocation to help Alexa provide more relevant content (e.g., weather, traffic, and restaurant recommendations) based on where you are using the app and to enable certain features. On some mobile devices, we also need the location permission to discover and connect to nearby Bluetooth devices and wifi networks to help you set up certain Alexa-enabled devices.

Bluetooth. We use Bluetooth signals from your mobile device to discover and connect to new Alexa-enabled devices, and to determine if your mobile device is near Alexa-enabled devices in order to enable certain Alexa features (e.g., Notify When Nearby).

Storage. To enable certain Alexa features, we may need to store data locally on the device. For example, to improve the performance of the Alexa app, we may store certain data (e.g., map data) locally.

Camera. We use the camera on your mobile device to enable video calling, simplify device setup (e.g., scanning a device barcode to initiate setup), and enable certain other Alexa features.

Notifications. We use notifications to send you alerts, such as when you receive new messages or calls.

Let the app always run in the background. To use certain Alexa-enabled devices (e.g., Echo Auto) and features (e.g., Reminders and Routines), the Alexa app needs permission to always run in the background on certain mobile devices.

21. How do Routines with sound detection work?

You can configure supported Echo devices to trigger a set of automated actions through Routines when a specific sound you select has been detected, such as snoring or coughing. Your device will only detect these sounds at times you’ve chosen. Similar to the wake word, the device detects these sounds by identifying acoustic patterns that match the sounds you select. No audio is stored or sent to the cloud to provide this sound detection feature.

22. How does Gestures work?

On supported devices, you can enable the use of Gestures to control certain features, like timers, without needing to touch your device or speak to Alexa. For example, if enabled, you can dismiss a ringing timer by simply holding up your hand with your palm facing the device’s camera. When a supported event occurs, such as a ringing timer, Gestures uses on-device processing to detect the presence of a recognized Gesture. No images or video are sent to the cloud to provide Gestures. You can turn on Gestures through Settings on your device.

23. What is Call Captioning?

Call Captioning is an accessibility feature that transcribes your call and enables subtitling on supported Echo devices and the Alexa app. When this feature is enabled, your audio and video calls will be temporarily decrypted, processed, and then re-encrypted in the cloud to provide the captioning. Amazon does not store your audio and video calls, or information about the content of those calls, when Call Captioning is used. To manage your Call Captioning setting, go to More > Settings > Accessibility > Call Captioning in the Alexa app or your Echo Show device.

Alexa Smart Home FAQs

1. How does Alexa work with smart home devices?

Alexa enables you to control and check the status of a variety of smart home devices, such as compatible lights, switches, plugs, thermostats, cameras, locks, televisions, printers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums. You can connect compatible smart home devices to Alexa using Alexa smart home skills. You can also directly connect certain smart home devices to compatible Echo devices. For instance, smart home devices that use Zigbee can connect directly to Echo devices with a built-in smart home hub, like Echo Show 10. And certain other smart home devices can connect to Echo devices via Bluetooth or wifi. Finally, you can connect some smart home devices to Alexa by setting up those devices through the Alexa app. In some cases, your smart home devices will be able to connect to Alexa automatically, including through Frustration-Free Setup. In other cases, you may need to say, “Alexa, discover my devices” or use the Alexa app to connect a smart home device. We may automatically update the firmware for certain devices connected to Alexa on behalf of the applicable manufacturer.

2. What information does Alexa receive from my smart home devices?

When smart home devices are connected to Alexa, we may receive information about those devices, such as device type, name, features, and status and usage history. We may receive this information even when you don’t use Alexa to change the state of your device. For example, if you manually adjust your smart thermostat, Alexa may receive your new temperature setting, which allows Alexa to provide the correct answer if you ask "What temperature is the thermostat set to?" and to show you the correct temperature in the Alexa app and on your Echo devices with screens. We may also retain information about your devices’ status and usage history, which allows Alexa to better personalize your experience and helps Alexa work better for you and other smart home customers. For instance, usage history information can help Alexa respond to your request even if you forget the name of your smart home device and allows Alexa to offer better Routine recommendations, and improves features like Away Lighting.

3. How can I delete the information Alexa recieves from my third-party smart home devices?

You can delete the status and usage information associated with your Alexa account for third-party smart home devices all at once, or have it deleted automatically after 3 or 18 months, through More > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data > Review Smart Home Device History in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. Deleting this history may impact your Alexa experience and certain smart home features. It will not delete other information about your smart home devices, such as device type or name, or requests made to Alexa regarding your smart home devices (for instance, the voice recordings of your requests to Alexa). If you choose to automatically delete the information after 3 or 18 months, we may also retain aggregated information about how you use your smart home device(s) over time (for instance, indicating your thermostat is usually turned down at night, or that a particular light is often on in the evening). The manufacturer of smart home devices (including Amazon when it is the manufacturer) may retain separate information about your smart home device.

4. What is Alexa's Smart Home Device History feature?

Smart Home Device History is a feature that allows you to review certain historical status and usage information about smart home devices connected to your Alexa account. This feature can help you better understand how your connected smart home devices are used by members of your household. You can access the most recent 30 days of Alexa’s Smart Home Device History by visiting More > Alexa Privacy > Review Smart Home Device History in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings. You can also request to have your Alexa Smart Home Device History, including information older than 30 days, and graphical insights about usage of certain devices sent to you by visiting More > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings.

5. How does Device Discovery work?

With Device Discovery, Alexa can notify you if a smart home device on your Wi-Fi network signals to your Echo device that it is compatible with Alexa. Just like PCs make it easy to select your printer by listing the ones available on your Wi-Fi network using common networking protocols, Alexa uses the same technology to show you when compatible smart home devices are available to be connected. When you receive a Device Discovery notification via the Alexa app or by voice, you can choose to connect the device to Alexa or ask Alexa to stop showing you information about the device. You can also disable Device Discovery at any time by going to More > Settings > Device Discovery in the Alexa app.

Alexa Communication FAQs

1. What is Alexa Communication?

This free feature brings the simplicity of Echo's hands-free experience, the benefit of Echo's microphone array, plus the high-quality sound of the Echo speaker, to calling and messaging. Now you can quickly call and send/receive voice messages for your family and friends via Alexa—all just by using your voice. Using your supported Echo device, simply say "Alexa, call Grandma's mobile," "Alexa, call 03069990978" or "Alexa, send a message to Julie".

2. What devices support Alexa Communication?

You can send and receive Alexa messages (and place and receive Alexa calls) as well as place outbound calls to most phone numbers in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Mexico (excluding 999, 112, 911 and other emergency numbers) using a supported Echo device and the Alexa app on supported mobile phones and tablets. Alexa Communication supports receiving Alexa calls but does not support inbound calls from phone numbers. Alexa Communication may also be available on some third party Alexa-enabled products. Features may vary by device.

3. How does Alexa messaging work?

You can use supported Echo devices and the Alexa app to send voice and text messages to another Alexa Communication user (e.g. on Echo devices, "Alexa, send a message to Mum" or, on the Alexa app, tapping on the Message icon on Mum's contact card). Messages are processed in the cloud to convert voice messages to text, and vice versa. When you receive a message on a supported Echo device, you will hear an audio tone and see a visual notification. You will be able to retrieve the message on your supported Echo devices by saying "Alexa, play my messages". When you receive a message, you also will receive a notification on your mobile phone or tablet, and you will be able to view and play the message in the Alexa app. Alexa messaging does not support sending or receiving text messages to or from phone numbers.

4. How does Alexa calling work?

You can use supported Echo devices and the Alexa app to call another Alexa Communication user (e.g. on Echo, "Alexa, call Mum" or, on the Alexa app, tapping on the Calling icon on Mum's contact card). When you receive Alexa calls on your supported Echo devices, Alexa will tell you that you have an incoming call and identify the caller. You also will see a green light indicator on Echo devices without a screen, and an incoming call screen on Echo devices with a screen. You can say "Alexa, answer" to pick up the call. Either person can end the call by saying "Alexa, hang up". When you receive a call, you also will receive a notification on your mobile phone or tablet and will see an incoming call screen in the Alexa app that lets you answer the call.

5. Can I call phone numbers using Alexa?

Yes, you can use supported Echo devices and the Alexa app to place outbound calls to most phone numbers in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Mexico for free (e.g., on Echo, "Alexa, call 03069990978" or "Alexa, call Mom's mobile phone"). If you are already an Alexa Communication user, no additional set up is required - you can start making calls straight away. If you are not an Alexa Communication user, you will first need to register for Alexa Communication.

On calls made using Alexa Calling, we will display the mobile phone number registered for the Alexa Communication service associated with that device as a caller ID. You can disable the caller ID feature through your contact card in the Alexa app. Note that you cannot call 999, 112 or other emergency number using this feature (for more information, see the below FAQ "Can I text or call emergency services using Alexa Communication?").

6. Can I text or call emergency services using Alexa Communication?

No, emergency services, such as 999 or 112, are not available through Alexa Communication. You should ensure that you can contact your relevant emergency services providers through a mobile, landline telephone, or other service. You can designate a contact as an Emergency Contact (see the below FAQ “What is an Emergency Contact?”).

7. How do I add and delete contacts for Alexa Communication?

When you register for Alexa Communication on the Alexa app, you will be asked to import your contacts from your device, which will then appear as contacts in the Alexa app. When you open the Alexa app, your contacts are auto-updated from your tablet or mobile phone. You may disable contact import in the Alexa app. If contact import is disabled, contacts you previously imported from your device will be deleted.

You may also manually add contacts to your Alexa contact list in the Alexa app. You can also delete each contact you manually added by selecting the applicable contact card.

8. What is an Emergency Contact?

You can designate a contact with a phone number as your household’s “Emergency Contact” in the Alexa app. Once set-up, if you or anyone in your household says “Alexa, call for help” or “Alexa, call my emergency contact” to a supported device, Alexa will call your Emergency Contact’s phone, and send a text message to the Emergency Contact explaining that you or someone in your household is experiencing an emergency, with instructions for how to call your Echo device. When you designate someone as an Emergency Contact, they will receive a text message notifying them that they have been added as your Emergency Contact. You can select or update an Emergency Contact in the Alexa app by visiting More > Communicate > Contacts > [Selected contact] > Add as Emergency Contact.

9. Do I need to give permission for others to call or message me using Alexa Communication?

First, you must register for Alexa Communication. Once you are registered, if another Alexa Communication user has your contact details, they can reach you via Alexa.

10. Who will receive my calls or messages?

If you call or message another Alexa Communication user via Alexa, the call or message will go to all supported Echo devices associated with that contact, as well as that contact's Alexa app. If you want to call that same contact's mobile phone number, you can ask Alexa (e.g. "Alexa, call Jane Smith's mobile"). If you call someone who is not an Alexa Communication user, the call will go to their phone number as it is stored in your contact book.

11. What is Do Not Disturb mode?

Do Not Disturb puts your Echo device on silent, meaning you will not receive calls or messages via Alexa. Simply say "Alexa, turn on Do Not Disturb" or you can turn it on by visiting Devices icon > Echo & Alexa > [Your Device Name] > Do Not Disturb in the Alexa app. When you're ready to receive calls and messages again, just say "Alexa, turn off Do Not Disturb".

12. How do I remove Alexa messages from my conversation list?

In the Alexa app, swipe a conversation to the left and click "Remove". Note that removing a conversation from your conversation list does not remove it from your contact's conversation list. It is not possible for you to remove sent or received messages from a contact's conversation list.

13. How do I de-register from Alexa Communication?

You can contact Customer Servicehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/contact-us), and we will help you de-register from Alexa Communication.

14. What is Drop In?

The optional Drop In feature will let you easily connect with your closest friends and family on supported Echo devices. To give Drop In permission to yourself (and your household) or a contact (and that contact's household), select the applicable contact card and turn on Drop In. In addition, you can give Drop In permission to yourself (and your household) by simply saying "Alexa, Drop In on Home".

15. When someone drops in on my device, what do they hear and see?

When someone drops in on your supported Echo device, you will hear an audio tone and see a visual indicator that someone is dropping in on you. The contact on the other side of the Drop In will automatically hear audio through your device. You may end the Drop In by saying "Alexa, hang up". On Echo devices without a screen, you will see a green in-call light indicator showing that a Drop In is in progress.

If a contact with the Alexa app or an Echo device with a screen drops in on your Echo device with a screen, they will see a privacy blur view from your device's camera. The privacy blur view will automatically transition to clear video over a short period of time. You will see the contact's video (and a picture-in-picture view of your own video) when the Drop In is in progress. You can end a Drop In by tapping the End icon on the screen, or you can disable the camera while continuing an audio conversation by saying "Alexa, video off" or tapping the Video Off icon on the screen. You can enable/disable the Privacy Blur setting for Drop Ins from you or your household members by visiting More  > Settings > Communication >  Drop In Preference in the Alexa app.

16. What is a recently active indicator?

If household members or contacts have been granted Drop In permission, they will see a recently active indicator on their Echo Show, Echo Spot or Alexa app displaying whether someone is nearby your supported Echo devices. Interactions with Alexa, and motion sensors on Echo Show, will be used to determine whether your device has been recently active.

17. How do I disable Drop In?

If you have granted your household members Drop In permission, you can disable it by saying "Alexa, disable Drop In" or turning off Drop In on your own contact card. If you have granted any other contacts Drop In permission, you can disable that on their contact cards. In the Alexa app, you also may disable Drop In for a specific device via Devices icon > Echo & Alexa > [Your Device Name] > Gear icon >  Communications and you can control additional Drop In settings and permissions by visiting More > Settings > Communication > Drop In Preference. Alternatively, you can turn on Do Not Disturb on one, or all, Echo devices by saying “Alexa, turn on Do Not Disturb.”.

18. What are Enhanced Features?

You can enable enhanced Alexa Communication features, such as group calls, via More > Settings > Communication > Enhanced Features in the Alexa app. When enabled, your audio and video calls will be decrypted, processed, and then re-encrypted in the cloud in order to provide these features. Amazon does not store your audio and video calls.

19. Does Alexa Communication use encryption?

By default, audio and video calls or Drop Ins between Alexa devices or the Alexa app are encrypted end-to-end. You can enable enhanced Alexa Communication features, such as group calls, in which case your audio and video calls will be temporarily decrypted, processed, and then re-encrypted in the cloud. Amazon does not store your audio and video calls, or information about the content of those calls. As with other communications services, if you use Alexa to make a call to a landline or mobile phone, the part of that call that takes place over the telephone network is not encrypted.

20. What are Announcements?

The Announcements feature lets you easily make announcements to other supported Alexa-enabled devices within your household, like a one-way intercom. Simply say, "Alexa, announce that dinner's ready" and "Dinner's ready" will then be announced to all supported devices in your household. You can block Announcements on a supported device by turning on Do Not Disturb – simply say “Alexa, turn on Do Not Disturb.” Unlike Drop In, Announcements are one-way only. To respond to an Announcement, you can make a new Announcement or start a Drop In as a two-way intercom.

21. Can I call or message via Alexa with Echo on-the-go devices using my existing phone service?

Yes, you can connect certain Echo on-the-go devices (like Echo Auto or Echo Buds), to your supported phone and send and receive calls and messages via Alexa using your existing phone service and talk/text plan. When you ask Alexa to place a call or message, Alexa will use Alexa Communication to complete those requests if possible. However, if the recipient is not another Alexa Communication user, or you wish to contact a specific phone number, Alexa can use your existing phone service to place that call or message (features may vary by device and operating system and charges from your phone service may apply). Alexa may not be able to process your request in the event of network or connectivity issues. If you are unable to place your call via Alexa, you should dial the number directly from your phone.

22. Can I link third-party communications services with Alexa Communication?

Yes, you can link select third-party communications services with Alexa Communication. Simply go to More > Settings > Communication in the Alexa app. Amazon may import and save your contacts from your third-party communications service in the cloud to help you connect with your friends and family. Some features may not be available via Alexa, and charges from the third-party communications service may apply for use of some features. You should check any terms applicable to the third-party communications service (including whether emergency services are available) prior to linking your account with Alexa.

23. Can my child use communications features when Amazon Kids is enabled?

Yes, your child can use communications features when Amazon Kids is enabled on Fire tablets. If you enable this feature, your child will be able to communicate within the household and with contacts who have Alexa-enabled devices or the Alexa app that you have selected for your child in the Alexa app. Communications cannot be initiated by voice on Fire tablets – your child must tap the relevant communication icon (e.g., the “Call” icon) to start a communication.

You can disable Fire Tablet Communications on your child’s device by going to the Amazon Parent Dashboard. You can review your child’s interactions in the Amazon Parent Dashboard.

Alexa-enabled Echo devices FAQs

Alexa-enabled Echo devices, like Amazon Echo, Echo Show and Echo Auto are hands free Alexa-enabled devices. For information on Echo Buds, see the Echo Buds FAQs.

1. How do Echo devices recognise the wake word?

Echo devices are designed to detect only your chosen wake word (Alexa, Amazon, Computer or Echo). The device detects the wake word by identifying acoustic patterns that match the wake word. Once the wake word is detected, the device begins recording audio to send to the cloud, including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word. By default, no audio is stored or sent to the cloud unless the device detects the wake word (or Alexa is activated by pressing a button).

2. How do I know when Echo devices are sending audio to the cloud?

When Echo devices detect the wake word, or when the Action button available on some Echo devices is pressed to activate Alexa, a visual indicator appears on the device to indicate that the device is recording your request to stream to the cloud. For instance, a light ring on the Amazon Echo device will turn blue or a blue bar will appear on Echo Show devices. When you use the wake word, the audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word, and closes when Alexa has determined your interaction has ended. In addition, you can turn on Follow-Up Mode to make follow-up requests to Alexa without having to repeat the wake word. Learn more. You can also configure Echo devices to play a short audible tone any time audio is sent to the cloud within settings in the Alexa app. Certain Echo devices, like Echo Input, have the short audible tone turned on by default. When Follow Up Mode is on, a visual indicator will show you when you can speak to Alexa without having to repeat the wake word and when your device is recording audio to send to the cloud.

3. Can I turn off the microphones on Echo devices?

Yes. Echo devices are equipped with a microphone enable/disable tton. When the button is pressed, the power to the microphones is disconnected and a dedicated red light is illuminated. When the microphones are turned off, you cannot interact with Alexa using voice, as your device cannot record and stream audio to the cloud, even when you say your chosen wake word. Turning off the microphones also disables ultrasound motion detection or presence detection on supported Echo devices. See the FAQ “How do certain Echo devices use ultrasound and wifi signals to support ultrasound motion detection or presence detection?” for more information.

4. How do Echo devices with a camera use the camera?

Echo devices with a camera use the camera to support video calls, Live View, taking pictures and to provide other features that require visual data, depending on the device. For example, if you create a visual ID on a compatible device, your device uses the camera to recognize when you are in view of the device so Alexa can personalize your experience. Echo devices may also process camera data on-device to detect information about their surroundings, including where you are relative to the device and whether you are facing the screen, for example so your device can go into Low Power Mode to reduce energy consumption when no one is nearby and exit Low Power Mode when it detects motion in view of the camera. See the FAQs for Alexa Communication, “How does visual ID work?”, “How do Echo devices with a screen know to turn on the screen?”, and “How do I know when Echo devices with a camera are streaming images or video to the cloud?” for more information.

Echo devices with a camera send certain data to the cloud about events detected by the camera, like when a person is detected nearby or is facing the camera, so Amazon can provide and improve our services and personalize your experience. For example, we use this information to enable the recently active indicator and to personalize content displayed on the device screen. See the FAQ for “What is a recently active indicator?” for more information.

5. What is Live View?

Live View allows you and household members to check in on your home while away by viewing your compatible device’s live camera feed remotely through the Alexa app. For all Echo devices with Live View, your device will display visual indicators that the camera is streaming to the cloud for the duration of each Live View session. See the FAQ “How do I know when Echo devices with a camera are streaming images or video to the cloud?”

On certain Echo devices, Live View is enabled by default. You can disable Live View on those devices by turning off the camera. See the FAQ “Can I turn off the camera on Echo devices with a camera?” Other Echo devices have a home monitoring setting, which must be enabled to allow Live View capability even where the device’s camera is on. When the camera is on, your device may be capable of Live View even if you disabled Drop In. See the FAQ “How do I disable Drop In?”

6. How do Echo devices with a screen know to turn on the screen or adjust the home screen based on your proximity?

Echo devices with a screen will turn on the screen when they detect the wake word or motion in view of the camera or when you interact with the device's screens or buttons. Certain Echo devices with a screen have Adaptive Content, which adjusts the home screen based on your proximity to the device using the camera or presence detection.

7. How do Echo devices with a camera are streaming images or video to the cloud?

There will be visual indicators whenever Echo devices with a camera are streaming images or video to the cloud. For example, certain Echo Show devices will display a green camera icon in the top left corner of the screen and a green light chrome bar at the bottom to indicate the camera is streaming to the cloud. If a video call is active, the device's screen will display a picture-in-picture view of the video being streamed to the cloud or will display a green "call in progress" bar at the bottom of the screen when you have navigated away from the call screen.

8. Can I turn off the camera on Echo devices with a camera?

Yes. You can turn off the camera on Echo devices with a camera by pushing the microphones & camera enable/disable button on your device or, on some supported devices, by toggling the camera off in on-device settings or the Alexa app. When the microphones & camera enable/disable button is pressed, the power to both the camera and the microphones is disconnected, and your device will display a visual indicator, such as a dedicated red light or, for devices with a screen, a red light chrome bar on the screen. On certain Echo devices, you can also disable just the camera in on-device settings or the Alexa app while still interacting with Alexa using voice. Some Echo devices with a camera, like Echo Show 5, have an additional built-in camera shutter. When the camera is turned off, the device will not detect motion in view of the camera and you will not be able to use any features that rely on the camera, such as Live View and video calling.

9. How does Echo Show 10 rotate automatically?

Echo Show 10 automatically rotates to turn to you when you say the wake word (e.g., Alexa) and move with you during certain activities to keep the device’s screen and camera in view. For instance, you can walk around the room during video calls or while you’re watching a video and the device will move with you. The device uses on-device processing to analyze microphone and camera inputs to approximate your location relative to the device and orient the screen. No images or video are sent to the cloud to provide the motion feature.

You can manage the device's motion (including turning off motion) by going to Motion Preferences under Settings on the device. You can also turn off motion by saying “Alexa, turn off motion” or by closing the camera shutter.

10. How do certain Echo devices use ultrasound and wifi signals to support ultrasound motion detection or presence detection?

Supported Echo devices use ultrasound frequencies and, in some cases, wifi signals to detect presence and proximity to the device in order to provide motion-based features, such as a Routine that turns on a light each time you enter a room or Adaptive Content that adjusts the device’s home screen based on your proximity to the device. Depending on the device, this detection capability is called ultrasound motion detection or presence detection. By default, this capability is enabled on supported Echo devices. However, your device will not emit ultrasound frequencies unless a motion-based feature is turned on, whether by default or your action. You can disable ultrasound motion detection or presence detection capability in device settings.

However, your device will not emit ultrasound frequencies unless a motion-based feature is turned on, whether by default or your action. You can disable ultrasound motion detection or presence detection capability in device settings. 

The processing of ultrasound motion detection or presence detection occurs on-device – no audio is sent to the cloud. When your device detects presence or proximity, it sends a signal to the cloud so Alexa can provide the feature that is enabled. Ultrasound motion detection or presence detection will not work when your device’s microphones are disabled.

Amazon Kids on Alexa and Echo Devices FAQs

1. What is Amazon Kids on Alexa?

Amazon Kids on Alexa is an Alexa experience just for kids, available on compatible Echo devices. When you use Amazon Kids on Alexa, Alexa will play music, answer questions, read stories, tell jokes, and more with younger ears in mind. Certain Alexa features may differ when Amazon Kids on Alexa is enabled. For example, voice purchasing from Amazon is turned off and Alexa Communication, if enabled, is limited to only within the household, with contacts you select. To learn more about Alexa, please see the Alexa FAQs above. Learn more about Amazon Kids on Alexa here. To learn more about Alexa Communication, please see the Alexa Communication FAQs above. To learn more about supported Echo devices, please see the Alexa-Enabled Echo Device FAQs above.

2. How can my child access Amazon Kids on Alexa?

Your child can access Amazon Kids on Alexa on your supported Echo device when you turn on Amazon Kids for that device. When you turn on Amazon Kids for a device, that device will provide the Amazon Kids experience to anyone who uses the device until you turn off Amazon Kids for that device.

Your child can also access Amazon Kids on Alexa if you create a voice ID for your child. With a voice ID, your child can receive their Amazon Kids experience on a supported Echo device when Alexa recognizes their voice, even if you have not turned on Amazon Kids for that device. Note that Alexa may not always recognize your child’s voice. When Alexa does not recognize your child’s voice, your child will not receive the Amazon Kids experience and your parental controls will not be applied. If you have not turned on Amazon Kids for your device, your child may be able to participate in experiences you initiate (e.g., your music playlist or your skills), even if Alexa recognizes their voice. If you want to ensure that your child only receives the Amazon Kids experience, you can turn on Amazon Kids for your device.

3. How can I manage my child’s Amazon Kids on Alexa experience?

You can set up and manage your child's Amazon Kids on Alexa experience on your Echo device by visiting More > Settings > Amazon Kids in the Alexa app, where you can enable Amazon Kids on one or more supported devices.

We require permission from a parent before kid services like Amazon Kids on Alexa can be used. Unless you have granted permission previously, you'll be asked to give permission the first time you attempt to set up Amazon Kids on Alexa After you've given permission, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

You can view your child’s Amazon Kids on Alexa activity, including which skills your child has used, by accessing the Amazon Parent Dashboard at parents.amazon.co.uk. Like other voice recordings with Alexa, parents can review and delete Amazon Kids on Alexa voice recordings by visiting  More > Alexa Privacy in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings.

You can review or change permissions by visiting the Manage Parental Permission (https://www.amazon.co.uk/myh/vpc/manage) page on Amazon.co.uk or by contacting Customer Service (https://www.amazon.co.uk/contact-us).

Parents can also contact Customer Service (https://www.amazon.co.uk/contact-us) to request deletion of any personal information collected through Amazon Kids on Alexa.

4. How are Amazon Kids on Alexa voice recordings used?

Amazon Kids on Alexa is developed to get better over time. Alexa uses Amazon Kids on Alexa voice recordings to answer your child's questions and respond to their requests. Alexa retains these voice recordings to allow parents to review and listen to the requests their children make to Alexa. These recordings are also used to improve your child's experience and our Alexa and Amazon Kids services, for instance by training our speech recognition and natural language understanding systems so Alexa can better understand children's questions and requests. For more information on how Alexa voice recordings are used, refer to the FAQs "How are my voice recordings used?" and "How do my voice recordings and text transcripts improve Alexa?"

You can delete voice recordings associated with your child's device one-by-one or all at once by going to More  > Alexa Privacy  in the Alexa app and Echo Show devices or https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexaprivacysettings.

If your child uses a third party service through Amazon Kids on Alexa, we will exchange related information with that third party so they may provide the service. For example, if your child interacts with a kid skill, we provide the content of your child's requests (but not the voice recordings) to the skill so the skill can respond accordingly, but we do not share your child's personal information with kid skills without your permission. We also do not sell children's personal information for advertising or other purposes.

To learn more, please visit our Children's Privacy Notice

5. Can my child use Alexa Communication while Amazon Kids on Alexa isenabled?

Yes, your child will be able to communicate within the household and with contacts you select for your child in the Alexa app. Your child will also be able to Drop In on household members and devices if you enable that feature. If your child uses a Fire tablet, your child will be able to make Announcements and calls on that device within your household and to approved contacts.

You can disable Alexa Communication on your child's device by going to More > Settings > Amazon Kids and then selecting your child's name in the Alexa app. You can also disable Alexa Communication in Device Settings in the Alexa app.

Echo Buds FAQs

Echo Buds are Alexa-enabled wireless earbuds that use the Alexa app on your mobile device to access Alexa.

1. How do Echo Buds recognize the wake word?

Echo Buds are designed to detect the wake word "Alexa" by identifying acoustic patterns that match the wake word. Once the wake word is detected, audio begins streaming to the cloud, including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word. No audio is stored or sent to Amazon's cloud unless the device detects the wake word. Echo Buds are designed to optimize for audio input from the person wearing them and detect the wake word only if you have at least one earbud in your ear.

You can also use tap controls on your earbuds to invoke Alexa or your mobile device's native voice service (Google Assistant or Siri).

2. How do I know when Echo Buds are streaming audio to the cloud?

You will hear a short audible tone that plays after the wake word is recognized to indicate that the device is streaming audio to Amazon's cloud. A tone will also play at the end of your request to indicate the connection has closed and the device is no longer streaming audio. The audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word, and closes once your request has been processed.

3. Can I turn off Alexa wake word detection on Echo Buds?

You can turn off Alexa wake word detection in the Alexa app. In addition, if you remove an earbud from your ear, access to Alexa will be disabled for that earbud. You can also mute the device's microphones in the Alexa app or by configuring a custom tap control. When you mute the device's microphones, the microphones will still have power so they can be used for Echo Buds' active noise reduction and pass-through features. When an earbud is placed in the Echo Buds charging case, the microphones on that earbud will turn off.

4. How does the Alexa service on Echo Buds work when my mobile device is locked?

If your mobile device is locked, certain Alexa responses will be blocked. This includes some responses related to your Amazon account, shopping, contacts, location, smart home devices, and more. You can access those Alexa responses on your Echo Buds by unlocking your mobile device. You will only need to do this once each time you use Echo Buds, as long as you continue to wear at least one earbud.

Alexa on Fire Tablets FAQs

Certain Fire tablets support Alexa hands-free when the screen is on and/or when the tablet is connected to power, or in Show Mode, an immersive Alexa experience that provides full-screen visual responses to voice commands. Learn more about how to access Alexa on your Fire tablet.

1. How do I activate Alexa hands-free on my Fire tablet?

You can turn on Alexa hands-free in your device settings (Settings > Alexa) by ensuring that both Alexa and Hands-Free Mode settings are enabled. To enter Show Mode, swipe down from the Quick Actions menu and toggle Show Mode, or ask Alexa to "Switch to Show Mode."

2. How does Alexa hands-free on my Fire tablet recognise the wake word?

Alexa on your Fire tablet uses on-device keyword spotting to detect the wake word, even when your device is in standby mode. (Certain Fire tablets may not detect the wake word when the screen is off, if the tablet is not connected to power.) Learn more. When the wake word is detected, Alexa on your Fire tablet streams audio to the cloud, including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.

3. How do I know when Alexa on my Fire tablet is streaming my voice to the cloud?

When Alexa on your Fire tablet detects the wake word, or when you press and hold the Home button to access Alexa, a blue line appears at the bottom of your screen to indicate that Alexa is streaming audio to the cloud. When you use the wake word, the audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word, and closes once your question or request has been processed. You will also hear a short audible tone that plays after the wake word is recognised, to indicate that the device is streaming audio, and at the end of your request, to indicate that the connection has closed and the device is no longer streaming audio.

4. How does Alexa hands-free on my Fire tablet work when I lock my tablet with a passcode?

When Alexa hands-free is activated and your tablet is passcode-locked, you can access certain Alexa features using the wake word. You'll be required to enter your passcode to access other Alexa features. If you prefer to no longer be asked to enter your passcode to access Alexa features, you can designate a wifi network as a Trusted Network in device settings (Settings > Alexa > Trusted Networks) and connect your Fire tablet to a Trusted Network. As a security precaution, if your tablet is passcode-locked, you may be prompted to enter your passcode to exit Show Mode—even if you're connected to a Trusted Network.

5. How does Alexa know to turn on the screen when my Fire tablet is in Show Mode?

When in Show Mode, your tablet will turn on the screen when it detects the wake word or motion in view of the camera or when you interact with the devices' display or buttons.

6. How do I know when Alexa on my Fire tablet is streaming images or video to the cloud?

There will be an on-screen indicator whenever Alexa is streaming images or video to the cloud. For instance, if a video call is active, the device's screen will display a picture-in-picture view of the video being streamed to the cloud.

7. How can I turn off Alexa hands-free?

You can turn off Alexa hands-free in a few different ways: by swiping down from the Quick Actions menu and selecting the Alexa microphone/camera on/off icon (in Show Mode) or the Alexa Hands-Free icon (outside Show Mode), by simultaneously pressing and holding the device's volume up and down buttons for three seconds, or through your device settings (Settings > Alexa > Hands-Free Mode). When in Show Mode, a red bar and icon will appear to let you know that Alexa hands-free on your Fire tablet is turned off; outside of Show Mode, an icon will appear in your status bar. Your Fire tablet will not respond to the wake word – or, in Show Mode, detect motion in view of the camera - until you turn Alexa hands-free back on. If you turn off Alexa hands-free, you will still be able to access Alexa when your tablet is not in Show Mode by pressing and holding the Home button.

Alexa on Fire TV Devices FAQs

All Fire TV streaming media players and smart TVs support Alexa.

1. How do I use Alexa on Fire TV devices?

You can use Alexa through the Fire TV mobile app or a compatible Alexa Voice Remote by pressing and holding the voice button. Release the voice button when you’re done speaking.

Certain Fire TV devices support hands-free Alexa through built-in speakers and microphones. You can also pair your Fire TV device with a compatible Alexa-enabled device and use Alexa on that device to control your Fire TV device.

Learn more about how to use compatible Alexa-enabled devices to control certain features on your Fire TV device.

2. How does my Fire TV device with hands-free Alexa recognize the wake word?

Your Fire TV device with hands-free Alexa uses on-device keyword spotting to detect the wake word. When it detects the wake word, it streams audio to the cloud, including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.

3. How do I know when my device is sending audio to the cloud?

When you press the voice button on the Alexa Voice Remote or the Fire TV app, a blue light bar appears on your TV screen to indicate that the device is recording your request to stream to the cloud.

When you use Alexa hands-free on supported Fire TV devices and your device detects the wake word, a visual indicator appears on the device to indicate that the device is recording your request to stream to the cloud. When you use the wake word, the audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word, and closes once your request has been processed. You can turn on Follow Up Mode so you can make follow-up requests to Alexa without having to repeat the wake word. You can also configure your device to play a short audible tone any time audio is sent to the cloud within Settings in the Alexa app.

4. Can I turn off the microphones on my Fire TV device with hands-free Alexa?

Yes, Fire TV devices with hands-free Alexa are equipped with a microphone off button (or switch on certain devices). When the microphone off button (or switch) is set to off, the power to the microphones is disconnected and a dedicated red light is illuminated. When the microphones are turned off, your device cannot record and stream audio to the cloud, even when you say your chosen wake word. When the device’s microphones are off, your device will still respond to requests you make through your Alexa Voice Remote.

5. Can I use Alexa on my Fire TV device if my television is off?

Yes, Alexa will respond to requests even when your television is off. Depending on your request, Alexa may turn on your television to fulfill your request.

However, Fire TV smart TVs will not respond to voice commands from paired Alexa-enabled devices while powered off or in standby mode.

You must enable this feature to use Alexa while your television is off or in standby mode. To check whether this feature is enabled for your device, go to Settings on your device.

For common questions about Alexa, Echo Devices and Privacy, see the Alexa Privacy Hub (https://www.amazon.co.uk/b/?node=17084411031).