How To Set Up Echo Plus 2nd Generation

Amazon's Alexa tin make your life easier and help you control your smart home. And, the best mode to take reward of all of the awesome things Alexa can practice for you lot is past having an Echo speaker nearby.

If you've recently acquired an Echo Plus (second-generation) but you've all the same to unbox it, nosotros are here to walk yous through the setup process. Although configuring your new smart speaker doesn't take much fourth dimension, there are a few things you lot should know—and steps to follow—when setting up. And then, without further ado, hither'south how to fix up your Repeat Plus.

How to set your Echo Plus (second-generation)

Screenshots from the Amazon Alexa app that show the steps to set up an Echo Plus (second-generation) speaker. — Credit: Reviewed / Rachel Murphy

1. Download the app

Install the Amazon Alexa app (free for iOS and Android devices) to begin the setup process. If the Amazon Alexa app is already on your telephone or tablet, check to brand sure you're running the latest version and at that place aren't any updates waiting to be installed. To use the app, y'all volition need to log in to your existing Amazon login or sign upward for a new Amazon account.

ii. Plug information technology in

Become ahead and unpackage the device and connect the power cord to the back of the speaker. Then, find a spot in your abode where you're nearly likely to use your Echo the most, like the kitchen or living room. One time you've found a prime location, plug the Echo into a nearby electrical outlet.

iii. Sync the Echo Plus with the app

Next, open the Amazon Alexa app and navigate to the Settings Card in the upper lefthand corner of your screen. Tap Add Device, then select Amazon Echo > Echo.

iv. Connect the Echo Plus to WiFi

Before you start request your newest Alexa-enabled device questions, you demand to connect it to your home's WiFi. This can exist washed past post-obit the on-screen instructions in the Amazon Alexa app that announced during setup. (You tin can update the WiFi settings later in the Amazon Alexa app by navigating to Settings > Device Settings and choosing the device yous'd like to update.)

Once you've successfully connected your Echo speaker to the internet, we recommend performing a quick test to make sure information technology is working as it should. You lot can say something as simple equally "Alexa, hello," and she will respond back with a greeting.

5. Getting to know your Echo Plus

With over 100,000 Alexa skills, in that location's so much y'all can do with your Echo Plus like command your smart thermostat, turn your smart lights or smart switches on and off, make sure your smart locks are secured, and more than. Y'all tin as well sync it to music streaming services like Spotify and Apple tree Music.

Unlike other Echo speakers, the Echo Plus (2d-generation) acts equally a smart home hub that tin can connect to Zigbee-uniform devices without the help of a Zigbee hub

However, the Repeat Plus (second-generation) is the most ideal Echo speaker for controlling your smart home. Unlike other Repeat speakers, the Echo Plus (second-generation) acts every bit a smart habitation hub that can connect to Zigbee-uniform devices without the help of a Zigbee hub. To check your network for smart home devices that work with Alexa say, "Alexa, find my devices."

Why is this useful? Well, for example, if you lot've got SmartThings devices and Hue lights, you tin can use the Echo Plus (second-generation) to control your compatible smart devices all in one spot instead of managing several individual smart dwelling house systems. Additionally, since the Echo Plus acts as a hub for multiple Zigbee gadgets, it tin can salve you a big chunk of change instead of buying multiple smart hubs to connect all of your devices.

Troubleshooting

An Amazon Echo Plus (second-generation) smart speaker sits on a table. — Credit: Amazon

No luck setting up your new Repeat speaker? First, make sure your Echo is plugged into a working power outlet. 2nd, check your WiFi connection to make certain everything is operating as it should. If your WiFi lacks the strength to reach all corners of your home, consider purchasing the all-time mesh WiFi router, which can assistance extend the attain of your internet at home, including to your Echo Plus (2d-generation).

You tin as well try unplugging your Echo Plus from the power outlet and plugging information technology back in.

Still no dice? Resetting your Repeat might assist. To do this, press and hold the microphone off and volume down buttons on the pinnacle of the speaker at the same fourth dimension. The light ring around the top will turn orange for about 20 seconds before turning blueish. As you keep holding the buttons, the lite ring volition then turn off and back on earlier displaying an orangish color again. This is when you know it'southward back in setup mode, and you can release the buttons. At present you're ready to repeat the setup procedure to a higher place.

If that doesn't work, attain out to Amazon customer support for help setting up your Echo Plus (second-generation).

The Echo Plus (2nd-generation) and privacy concerns

Privacy might seem like a thing of the past, as everywhere y'all go, there'southward some estimator watching or listening. Simply in your own home, you can practise a few things to protect yourself, even from naturally invasive smart dwelling devices.

You tin can finish your Repeat Plus from listening for (and maybe mishearing) your wake word by turning off your mic via the mute button on the top of the device. Or, plow on audible alerts inside Settings in the Alexa app to know when your Echo is listening beyond just the indicator light (the Echo will chime when information technology thinks you've said the wake word).

Bloomberg recently reported that Amazon employs workers to manually review voice recordings, but you tin can opt-out of having your vocalization recordings included in the review process by going to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data, then toggling off the setting that says Use Phonation Recordings to Better Amazon Services. In these privacy settings, you can besides delete vocalization recordings, which are accessible to anyone you share the app with. You lot can even ready auto-deletion every three or eighteen months.