How to Play Music on Alexa

One of the many functions Alexa can do is control music playback on the Echo and a number of third-party Alexa-enabled smart speakers and related devices. Here is a look at how to get started playing music with Alexa.

What You Need

• Internet access and Wi-Fi
• Amazon Echo (also includes the Dot, Show, Spot, and Studio), or other compatible Alexa-enabled devices (select third-party speakers, soundbars), or Fire TV devices.
• A smartphone with the Alexa app installed. 
• Subscription to one or more compatible music services.

Play Music Using the Alexa App

Here is how to set up Alexa to play music on a compatible device.

1. Open the Alexa app and select Options (the hamburger menu on the top left or right corner) > Settings.

2.  In Settings select Music. 

3. Check the list of available services. You can connect Alexa to a variety of music services, including: Amazon Music, Deezer, Gimme, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, Apple Music/iTunes, and several others.

   Before streaming, you may need to establish an account with each music service. If you don't see one of the above music services on your selection list, go to the Alexa Skills category in the Alexa App and activate the skill associated with the service you want to add. Follow any account setup and linking instructions. 

4. Choose a Default Music Service from the list. 

   When using Alexa to play music but don't specify a specific service, Alexa and Echo will go to your default music service first. If you don't choose a default music service, Alexa will play songs from Amazon Music. 

5. Activate Explicit Filter settings if desired (optional).

Use Voice Commands

There are several ways to play music on your Echo devices using Alexa voice commands. Depending on the music service, not all voice commands are applicable. Alexa voice command features may vary by country or device. 

Basic Music Commands 

• "Shuffle" or "Stop shuffle."
• "Stop" or "Pause."
• "Play" or "Resume."

Music Service Commands (may vary depending on service)

• "Play song, album, or artist."
• "Play happy or sad music."
• "Play station (name of music station)."
• "Play (name of playlist)."
• "Who's the lead singer for (band)?"
• "Add song, album, artist to (playlist name)."
• "Create a playlist."

Amazon Prime Music Commands

• "Play a Prime Playlist."
• "Play (song title) from Prime Music"
• "Show me songs, playlists, genres from Prime Music."

Using Alexa's voice commands, you can adjust the volume or use the Alexa Equalizer (if available for your device) to adjust the bass, treble, and midrange frequencies.

In addition to voice commands, you can navigate music playback options on your smartphone with the Alexa app touchscreen controls. 

The Alexa app (and Echo Show/Spot) can display song titles, album covers, and song lyrics (when available).

Use Alexa With Bluetooth From Smartphone

You can use Bluetooth to stream music from your smartphone to your Echo or select Alexa-enabled devices.

1. On your smartphone, select Settings > Bluetooth.

2. Open the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone. Tap Scan for Devices. The Echo or other compatible device should appear.

3. Say Alexa Pair or Tap your Echo Device to continue the pairing process. When the pairing process is completed, you should hear Alexa announce that both devices are connected.

4.  If you don't want to use the "Alexa Pair" voice command, you can also use your smartphone's Bluetooth pairing option as shown below.

   You can also use Bluetooth to stream music from an Echo to a separate Bluetooth Speaker. 

5. Once paired (connected) you can control playback using Alexa commands, touchscreen controls in the Alexa app or Echo or Alexa-enabled device.

Use Alexa and Bluetooth With a PC

You can also use Bluetooth to stream music from a PC to your Echo device. This works best with a Windows 10 PC.

1. Enable Bluetooth on your PC.

2. Sign in to your Amazon Account on the Amazon Alexa webpage.

3. Go to Settings in your Alexa Account and click on your Echo Device or another compatible device. 

4. Select Bluetooth.

5. Select Pair New Device and select your PC when prompted.

6. In your PC's Bluetooth and other devices page, a prompt will appear asking you to pair devices—choose Allow. 

7. When pairing is confirmed, a prompt will appear saying "connection completed"—click on Close.

8. Your PC is added to Alexa's Bluetooth Devices list. If there are multiple paired devices on the list, highlight the Bluetooth icon for the device (such as your PC) you want to connect for music playback at any given time.

   You should be able to stream music from online streaming services, media server software (such as Plex), or downloaded/ripped music files (such as from CDs) from your PC on your Echo device (barring any file compatibility issues).

Use Alexa to Play Music on Fire TV

In addition to Echo and related audio devices, Alexa can also play Music on Fire TV devices, including Fire Edition TVs. 

Here's how:

1. Highlight Apps on the main Fire TV or Fire Edition TV Menu and select Categories.

2. In Categories, select Music and Audio.

3. Select a music app to listen to and use Alexa voice commands to control available playback options.