How to Use the Amazon Echo Temperature Sensor

This article explains how to use the built-in Amazon Echo temperature sensor found in some Amazon Echo devices, including the Echo (4th generation) and Echo Plus (2nd generation). Only the Echo and Echo Plus have built-in temperature sensors.

How to Use the Amazon Echo Temperature Sensor

To use the Amazon Echo temperature sensor, all you have to do is say, “Alexa, what’s the temperature inside?”

This only works if you have a compatible Echo device, and it only works when using that Echo device. You also have to use that exact command. Variations of this command will fail, or Alexa will misinterpret.

If any other Echo device picks up your question, even in the same room as the compatible Echo, it won’t be able to give you the temperature.

How to Set up the Amazon Echo Temperature Sensor

To find out the temperature from your compatible Echo from other Echo devices or the Alexa app, you need to assign it to a device group. Once you’ve assigned the sensor to a device group, ask any of your Echo devices, or even the Alexa app, about that group's temperature.

For example, if your compatible Echo is in your living room, you would ask, “Alexa, what’s the temperature of the living room group?” or "Alexa, what's the temperature in the living room?"

Once you’ve assigned the Amazon Echo temperature sensor to a group, you can also use it in routines.

Here’s how to set up the Amazon Echo temperature sensor:

1. Open the Alexa app on your phone.

2. Tap Devices.

3. Select a Smart Home Device Group that includes a compatible Echo device.

4. Select Edit.

5. In the Devices section, select the temperature sensor and tap Save.

6. The temperature sensor is now assigned to the relevant device group. In the future, you can get the temperature from that sensor from any of your Echo devices or the Alexa app by saying, “Alexa, what’s the temperature of (group name)?”

How to Use the Amazon Echo Temperature Sensor in Routines

Setting up an Amazon Echo temperature sensor routine works the same way setting up an Alexa routine works. You use the Alexa app, create a routine, and use the temperature sensor to trigger an event in your smart home.

Here’s an example of how to set up an Amazon Echo temperature sensor routine:

1. Open the Alexa app.

2. Tap More.

3. Tap Routines.

4. Tap Plus (+).

5. Tap When this happens.

6. Tap Smart Home.

7. Tap your Echo device that has a built-in temperature sensor.

8. Set the trigger temperature using the slider and tap Save.

   If you want to trigger when the temperature drops below a certain point, tap Above and switch it to Below.

9. Tap Add action.

10. Select the action you would like to trigger. For this example, we'll use Alexa Says.

11. Follow the on-screen prompts for your specific activity, and tap Next.

12. Check the routine details, and change anything that needs to be changed.

13. When you’re done, tap Save.

14. If your action requires a response from an Echo device, choose your preferred device.

15. Your routine is now ready to go.

Alexa-Compatible Thermostats and Standalone Sensors

While only a few Echo devices include built-in temperature sensors, there are other ways to add Alexa-enabled temperature sensors to your home. The two most common options are Alexa-enabled thermostats and standalone temperature sensors.

If you install an Alexa-enabled smart thermostat, you can use Alexa to find out the current temperature at the thermostat in addition to raising or lowering the A/C or heating temperature. To find out the temperature from one of these thermostats, you ask, “Alexa, what’s the temperature inside?” You can also ask, “Alexa, what’s the temperature of the thermostat?” or “Alexa, what is the thermostat set to?”

Standalone temperature sensors work in much the same way as the temperature sensor found on compatible Echo devices. Once you’ve connected one of these sensors to Alexa, either via Wi-Fi or a wireless hub, you can assign it to a device group and then ask, “Alexa, what’s the temperature of (device group)?”