The 13 Best Alexa Hacks of 2023

If you share your home with one (or more) Alexa-enabled devices, you are not alone; Amazon has sold tens of millions of the smart speakers/virtual assistants. But, if you're only using your device to play music and set timers, you're missing out.

When you learn about some awesome Amazon Echo hidden features and find out how to give Alexa funny commands, you'll hit the tip of the iceberg of what your device can do. These hacks will help you save time, have fun, and simply live better.

of 13

Change Alexa’s Voice

What We Like

A dozen languages available.
Specific to any device.

What We Don't Like

No character voices or other options.
Cannot apply to multiple devices at once.

Alexa can speak in a language other than English or use a different accent. To change Alexa's voice, open the Alexa app and select the device you want to apply the changes to. Select Language and choose an option from the drop-down menu.

of 13

Say 'Good Morning' and 'Good Afternoon'

What We Like

Response is always different.
Easy to use.
You do not need to enable the skill to use it.

What We Don't Like

Can only use "Good morning" before noon.
Can only use "Good afternoon" after 12 p.m.

Saying, "Alexa, good morning" or "Alexa, good afternoon" will emit a dynamic, entertaining response. In the morning, Alexa will provide motivational quotes and in the afternoon, Alexa will respond with a helpful tip or encouraging statement.

of 13

Listen to Music Throughout the House

What We Like

Can play multiple streams simultaneously to different groups with Music Unlimited and a Family Plan.
Will stream from multiple music services.

What We Don't Like

Amazon Prime Music or Amazon Music Unlimited account required.
Will not play over paired Bluetooth speakers.

If you have multiple Echo devices throughout your home, you can stream the same music to all of them simultaneously. In the Alexa app, go to Devices. Select the + (plus) icon and choose Add Multi-Room Music Speakers. Select the devices you want to include and then create the group.

of 13

Get Traffic Updates

What We Like

You can add stops on your route.
Basic setting, no skill involved.

What We Don't Like

Can only enter a single destination.
Destinations are not device-specific.

Check the traffic en route to school or work using Alexa's Traffic skill. To do so, you must enter a destination in the app. Select Settings from the menu, select Traffic under Alexa Preferences and enter both your home and destination addresses.

After you have entered this information, you can ask, "Alexa, how's traffic?" to receive real-time information.

of 13

Establish Parental Controls

What We Like

Access the Parent Dashboard on your computer.
Highly customizable.

What We Don't Like

Paid subscription.
Enabled on per-device basis.

Amazon offers a service called FreeTime, which can be used on Alexa. This feature lets parents restrict content, hours of usage and shopping features.

To use FreeTime, go to the list of devices under Settings in the Alexa app. Select the device to which you want to add parental controls. Select FreeTime and enable the service.

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is a premium service with a monthly subscription fee.

of 13

Make Multiple Profiles

Screenshot of settings showing Amazon Household

What We Like

Use voice commands to switch profiles.
Manage profile-specific photos on devices with screens.

What We Don't Like

When you add an adult, they have access to Amazon purchase information.
Alexa might confuse similar voices.

Setting up profiles for everyone in the household helps customize the content Alexa provides for the user. You can set up household profiles in the Alexa app by going to Settings, choosing Amazon Household under Alexa Account and following the on-screen instructions.

Family members can also say, "Alexa, learn my voice," and Alexa will provide prompts so she can distinguish between different users.

of 13

Protect Purchases

What We Like

Easy to set up.
View the code in the app if you forget it.

What We Don't Like

Kids can overhear the code.
Not device-specific.

Being able to shop with your voice is a cool feature of Alexa devices, but you might not want others to have this option. In the Alexa app Settings menu under Voice Purchasing, you can set up a four-digit voice code or disable voice purchasing altogether.

You can connect your Xbox console to an Alexa device and download games via Xbox Game Pass. You don't have to install a skill; Just say “Alexa, download [game] from Xbox Game Pass.”

of 13

Whip up an IFTTT Recipe

What We Like

Easy to incorporate smart home devices.
Large collection of applets to choose from.

What We Don't Like

Requires the use of one or more third-party services.
Custom 'recipes' can be complex.

IFTTT (which means If This, Then That) recipes enable actions based on triggers; If this happens, then that should happen). You can use these applets to increase Alexa's abilities. For instance, you can use an IFTTT recipe to send the shopping list you created on Alexa to your phone or trigger smart lights to flash when a timer goes off.

of 13

Create Custom Routines

What We Like

Device-specific.
Lots of choices.

What We Don't Like

No way to skip actions.

Routines tell Alexa to run multiple tasks at once based on a trigger. To create a new routine in the Alexa app, select Routines from the menu and click the + (plus) to go to the New Routine screen. Select the criteria, actions, and devices you want to use to create and access a custom routine for your device.

8 Alexa Routine Ideas for Your Home

of 13

Custom Flash Briefings

What We Like

Extensive list of available clips.
Customize the order in which they play.

What We Don't Like

No way to skip entries.
Many available entries are outdated or have no content.

Saying, "Alexa, play my flash briefing" will result in Alexa playing default news sound bites. You can customize these briefings in the Alexa app by adding and deleting sources.

Select Flash Briefing in the Settings menu and search for content that interests you. To change the order in which they play, tap Edit on the Flash Briefing screen and then drag and drop them in the desired order.

of 13

Build DIY Skills

What We Like

Dozens of templates available.
Fun and useful.

What We Don't Like

Limited customization.
Amazon must approve skills if you want to publish them.

Alexa has added a cool feature called Alexa Skill Blueprints. You can use these templates to create your own custom Alexa skill for home, business, or anything else. To get started, log in with your Amazon user name at blueprints.alexa.com.

of 13

Turn on a Night Light

What We Like

Set amount of time, if desired.
Use on multiple devices at same time.

What We Don't Like

Cannot use simultaneously with music or other skills.
Unable to customize light color.

Alexa can help kids (and adults) sleep more soundly or find their way to the bathroom at night. Say, "Alexa, open Night Light" and Alexa's notification ring or bar will be illuminated.

Love having Alexa around? There are so many versions now, it can be hard to decide which one to get next. Here's our take on the best Amazon devices to buy and where to use them.

of 13

Check in While You’re Away

What We Like

Permission required to drop in.
Check in from any location with app.

What We Don't Like

Echo device with screen required to view surroundings.
Must enable to use.

With the drop-in feature, you can check in via any device, even when you are away from home. Once you have enabled the feature, select Drop-in from the Communicate screen and choose the device with which you want to connect.

How to Stop Alexa From Listening

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know!

Tell us why!