Alexa can do a lot of things…Except for playing your favorite music from YouTube.
Quite disappointing, right?
But did you know that there’s a way to trick Alexa to stream a song or video from Youtube?
If you want to find out how…
Come on in, and let’s outsmart Alexa together!
Read on to learn:
- Why Alexa can’t directly play music from YouTube.
- How to play a video from YouTube on Alexa Echo Show.
- How to connect your Bluetooth device with Alexa to play music.
- 1 simple trick to play music from YouTube using Alexa Echo Dot.
- And so much more…
Can Alexa play music from YouTube?
Technically, Alexa can’t play music from YouTube since Alexa doesn’t support the service app. To get Alexa to stream music from YouTube, connect Alexa to your Bluetooth device. And use Alexa as your external speaker. Or, if you’re using Alexa Echo Show, play music from YouTube using a web browser.
1 simple trick to play music from YouTube on Alexa
“I’m sorry. But I don’t seem to understand.”
Have you ever heard Alexa respond to you like that after trying to get it to play music from YouTube? Well, that’s because YouTube isn’t an Alexa-supported service app.
So, no matter how much you enunciate your words for Alexa to understand your command…
Alexa won’t play music from YouTube since it doesn’t have it on its system.
But here’s the catch: Alexa isn’t as smart as you think.
Yes, you’ve read it right!
Even though you can’t directly get Alexa to play music from YouTube, you can trick it into doing so.
Depending on what Amazon Echo device you’re using, below are the steps on how to do it.
For Amazon Echo Dot
Yes, you can’t ask Alexa to play music from YouTube. But you can use your Alexa Echo Dot as an external speaker.
You just have to connect Alexa to any of your Bluetooth-supported devices. And that can be your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to follow:
Step #1: Open your mobile device’s Bluetooth
First, you have to enable Bluetooth on your mobile device.
There are 2 ways you can enable Bluetooth on your device:
- By accessing the quick access panel.
- By navigating the device’s settings page.
To enable Bluetooth through the quick access panel:
- Open your mobile device.
- Slide the screen from top to bottom.
- Look for the Bluetooth icon.
- Then, tap on it once.
The Bluetooth icon should turn blue to indicate that it’s ON.
And to enable Bluetooth through the settings page:
- Open your mobile device.
- Click the settings icon.
- Search and press “Bluetooth.”
- Then, toggle ON the Bluetooth button.
Step #2: Pair Alexa to your mobile device
Next, pair your mobile device to Alexa.
Here’s how to do it:
- Say, “Alexa, pair Bluetooth.”
- Open your mobile device.
- Go to settings.
- Proceed to “Bluetooth.”
- Search for your Alexa device.
- Tap it once.
- Then, press “Connect.”
Note: Your Alexa Echo Dot device name should appear like “Echo-xxx.”
After this, you should hear your Alexa device say, “Now connected to (device’s Bluetooth name).”
Also, you should see a “Connected” label next to your Alexa device name.
These confirm that your mobile device has been connected to Alexa via Bluetooth.
Step #3: Play music from YouTube using your mobile device
Now that your devices are connected, it’s time to play some music from YouTube.
Since you can’t get Alexa to play music from it, you have to stream YouTube directly on your mobile device.
To do that:
- Open your mobile device.
- Go to the YouTube app.
- Tap the search icon at the top-right corner.
- Search for the music or video you like.
- Then, press the “Play” icon.
After this, you should hear the audio coming from your Alexa Echo Dot.
You can also watch this video to learn how to pair your smartphone with Alexa using the Alexa app:
“I’ve already played a song. But I don’t hear any sound…”
If that’s the case, then your:
- Devices might have been disconnected.
- The volume level of your device is low or off.
To check whether your mobile device has been disconnected from Alexa, go to the Bluetooth settings.
If you see a “Disconnected” label under your Alexa device’s name, redo step #2.
But if it’s connected, check and increase the volume of your:
- YouTube app.
- Mobile Device.
- Alexa Echo Dot.
To increase the volume of your YouTube app:
Note: This applies to tablets, laptops, and PCs.
- Play a video from YouTube.
- Tap anywhere on the screen.
- Press the “Volume” icon near the “Play” button.
- Then, slide the volume slider to the right until you reach your desired volume level.
To increase the volume on your mobile device:
- Locate the volume buttons either on the left or right side of the device.
- Then, press the UP volume button until you reach your desired volume level.
Lastly, to increase the volume of your Alexa Echo Dot, say either of the following:
- “Alexa, increase the volume.”
- “Alexa, set the volume to (1-10).”
- “Alexa, increase the volume by X percent.”
Or do it on the Alexa app:
- Open your Alexa app.
- Go to menu.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Select “Device Settings.”
- Click your Echo device.
- Then, slide the audio slider to the right until you reach your desired volume level.
Now, you can enjoy listening to your favorite music from YouTube through your Alexa Echo Dot.
Read also: 7 Steps To Use Alexa as a Speaker for a PC (No Bluetooth)
For Amazon Echo Show
If you’re using Amazon Echo Show, then you’re lucky. Since it’s comparably easier to stream YouTube on it.
I mean, you don’t even have to connect any third-party device with your Alexa. That’s one thing, right?
Here’s a guideline on how to play YouTube on Amazon Echo Show.
Step #1: Say, “Alexa, show me YouTube”
If you want to play music from YouTube using your Alexa Echo Show…
Just say, “Alexa, show me YouTube.”
Note: Make sure to say “show” and not “open.” Especially on your first attempt.
The reason:
Alexa doesn’t have a YouTube app. So, “opening” won’t be possible. If you want to access YouTube, you have to ask Alexa to search the web.
Check out: 7 Ways To Play Specific Songs On Alexa
Step #2: Choose your default web browser
Note: You can skip this step if you’ve already set your default web browser before.
Once you’ve told Alexa to “show” YouTube, it’ll prompt you to choose a web browser to use.
Usually, it’ll ask you to choose between Firefox or Amazon Silk web browsers.
Once this selection shows up, just tap the web browser of your choice.
Also, tick the box next to “Always use this.” So, you don’t have to go through this process again.
Step #3: Sign in to your YouTube account
Note: Skip this step if you’ve already accessed YouTube on your Alexa Echo Show.
After choosing your desired web browser, Alexa will lead you to YouTube’s sign-in page.
Once you’re there, just enter your email address and password.
If you want, you can also tick the box next to “Remember me.” So that you won’t have to sign in to your account every time you’d like to play a song or video from YouTube.
Step #4: Play a song or video from the YouTube web app
Have you already signed in to your YouTube account?
Then, it’s time to choose the song or video you want to play.
Here’s how to do it:
- Tap the search bar at the upper part of the screen.
- Type the song or video title you want to listen to.
- Then, press the “Play” button on the video.
Congratulations! You have successfully tricked Alexa into playing your favorite music from YouTube.
You may also wonder: Can Alexa light up to music?