Turn the Echo into a Bluetooth speaker or outsource it to a better one

Amazon’s Echo smart speakers aren’t just able to connect over Wi-Fi – they are also Bluetooth compatible, too. Connecting to an Echo speaker via Bluetooth allows you to manually control music playback from your phone or tablet.

However, you might not realize you can also connect your Echo device to another Bluetooth speaker, giving you all the same control but with potentially better sound from a higher-end speaker.

In this guide, we’re showing you how to do both. Once you’re set, it will mean you’re able to not only use Spotify with Alexa, as well as Apple Music, but also music playing on your phone through a web browser or a non-supported streaming service.

If you’re wondering if your Echo has Bluetooth, the answer to that is yes. Every device in the Amazon Echo family supports Bluetooth, from the cheapest Echo Dot to the motion-tracking Amazon Echo Show 10 and the newest Echo Hub. So let’s get you paired up and those tunes pumping.

How to pair Amazon Echo with a Bluetooth speaker

The sound quality from some Alexa smart speakers leaves a lot to be desired, unless you’re talking about the Echo Studio. However, for those with a beefy Bluetooth speaker to hand – like the Sonos Move 2 – you can combine the two.

That means you get the full voice control experience from Alexa, but block-rocking beats from your existing set-up.

It means a life without wires, making for a much neater setup. If you like wires of course, you can always use the 3.5mm jack to connect your Echo to external systems. Also, if you have an older analog system, you can buy Bluetooth adapters that can bridge the gap.

What you’ll need

Your smartphone or tablet
A Bluetooth speaker
Your Echo device

The short version

Power on your external Bluetooth speaker and enable pairing mode.
Open the Alexa app and tap on More (you can also use the alexa.amazon.com web app).
Go to ‘Settings’ and choose ‘Device Settings’.
Select the Alexa device you want to pair.
Under the ‘Bluetooth’ tile, choose ‘Connect a New Device’.
You should now see your external device listed. Tap to pair.

How to pair Amazon Echo with a Bluetooth speaker

Pairing your Amazon Echo with an external Bluetooth speaker gives you bigger sound, along with full Alexa capabilities. It’s the best of both worlds.

Time needed: 5 minutes

Make sure your Bluetooth speaker is in pairing mode
The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure your external Bluetooth speaker is switched on and in pairing mode so it can be discovered by the Amazon Echo you want to pair to it.
Open the Alexa app and head to settings
Open the Alexa app and head to settings. You’ll find these by tapping on the More tab at the bottom of your screen. Settings appear around half way up on the More screen.
Open Device Settings and choose your Echo device
Once you’re in the settings, you’ll want to head to Device Settings. From here you will be able to choose Device Settings and pick the Amazon Echo speaker you want to connect to your external Bluetooth to.
Choose Bluetooth and get pairing
You’ll then be taken to a new screen with some extra options specifically regarding that Echo device. Choose ‘Connect a New Device’ from the Bluetooth tile. If your external Bluetooth speaker doesn’t show up, make sure it is turned on and discoverable.
Pair them up
Tap on your external Bluetooth speaker from the list of available devices and pair them up.

Connect your phone to Echo and Alexa over Bluetooth

If you don’t want to have to talk to Alexa to hear music through your Echo smart speaker or Alexa-compatible speaker, there’s the option to simply connect over Bluetooth and handle tunes through your phone’s app manually.

What you’ll need

Your Echo device
Your smartphone or tablet

Amazon Echo Pop vs Echo Dot: Which should you choose? — (Image credit: Amazon)

The short version

Grab your smartphone or tablet
Go to Settings and open the Bluetooth menu.
Say “Alexa, pair”. Doing so will see Alexa enter pairing mode and search for nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Look for the Echo speaker in the list of the new device and tap on it to establish the connection.
Once established, the Echo device will appear in Bluetooth settings on your phone or tablet. The next time you want to connect, just say “Alexa, pair [device name]” or tap on the device from your Bluetooth settings menu.
To disconnect your mobile device from Amazon Echo, say, “Alexa, disconnect from Bluetooth”.

Tip – with an Echo Show, Spot or Hub, you can pair to your phone using the ‘Settings’ from the touchscreen.

Sonos Roam versus Sonos Move: What Bluetooth Sonos speaker is right for you? — (Image credit: Sonos)

Remove paired Bluetooth devices from Echo

If you want to delete the Bluetooth pairing, follow these steps.

Open the Alexa app and tap on ‘Devices‘.
Choose ‘Echo & Alexa’ and tap the device you want the connection removed from.
Select ‘Bluetooth Devices’.
Tap ‘Forget Device’.