Decades ago…
You needed to be a tech nerd to monitor security devices.
But now, all you have to do is connect Blink to Alexa.
And you can start controlling your smart cameras through voice commands.
Wanna know how to do so?
Keep reading to discover:
- 11 simple steps to connect Blink to Alexa.
- The most common reasons this setup initially fails.
- 5 fixes to try if your Blink devices won’t connect to Alexa.
- And this is just the beginning…
How to connect Blink to Alexa? 11 steps
#1: Setup your Blink system
Before you can connect it to Alexa…
Your Blink system must be fully set up already.
In other words…
All your security devices should already be linked to your Blink account.
So, if you haven’t already…
Follow these steps to set up your Blink system:
Step 1: Install the Blink app
Here’s the application’s download page (Android/iOS).
Step 2: Create a Blink account
Launch the new app.
And tap the Create Account option you find at the bottom.
After that, follow further instructions.
Step 3: Add your devices to your Blink app
Click the + icon at the top-right corner of your app.
Then, select the type of Blink device you have.
After doing so…
You’ll see the necessary steps to set up your specific module/camera.
So, just follow the visual guidelines on your Blink app.
Note: Repeat step 3 for all your Blink devices.
And once you’ve linked all your gadgets to your app, proceed to…
#2: Install the Amazon Alexa application
Here’s the app’s download page (Android/iOS) if needed.
Once you have the application, log in using your Amazon account, then…
#3: Head to your Blink app’s Settings
Launch the Blink application again.
Then, tap the gear icon at the bottom-right corner.
Once you’re on the Settings window…
#4: Click Account and Privacy
This is the first option from the top of your screen.
#5: Select Link to Alexa
You’ll find this option under the Linked Accounts section.
#6: Tap Open Alexa App
Note: It’s the blue button at the bottom of your screen.
Once you’re redirected to the Amazon Alexa application…
#7: Click ENABLE TO USE
This enables the Blink SmartHome Skill.
Which is the tool Alexa will use to control your Blink devices.
When the new window pops up…
#8: Log in using your Blink account
Just input your Blink email address and password.
And tap the Continue button at the bottom.
After that, Alexa will send a verification code through text or email.
So, simply do the necessary steps to verify this login.
#9: Wait for the confirmation message
“Your Blink SmartHome account has been successfully linked.”
This will appear on your screen if the connection process has been successful.
So, once you see this message…
Simply tap the Close button at the bottom.
#10: Allow Alexa to discover your Blink devices
Note: This may take up to 45 seconds.
Once your Alexa app finds your Blink devices, just tap Next and…
#11: Set up your Blink devices
Just tap any gadget on your screen.
Then, click the Set Up Device button at the bottom.
From here on, you can customize your Blink devices according to your preferences. You can specify which room they’re in. And decide whether to give Alexa permission to disable your home security if needed.
So, just follow further instructions.
Note: You must individually set up your Blink devices inside the Alexa app.
And just like that, you’ve finished the connection process.
Want Alexa to make announcements when your smart cameras detect motion?
Watch this video tutorial:
You might also want to know: (9 Fixes) Blink Camera Not Working [Updated Guide]
Blink won’t connect to Alexa: Troubleshooting
Every now and then, Blink devices refuse to connect to Alexa. The most common reason for this problem is outdated apps. But this issue also occurs if your Amazon Kids feature is enabled. A glitchy Blink SmartHome Skill also prevents this connection from succeeding.
But don’t worry. You can fix all of these problems in just several minutes.
Just follow these…
(5 fixes) Blink won’t connect to Alexa
#1: Update your applications
Your Blink devices and Alexa communicate through their applications.
So if 1 or both of their apps are glitching…
Most likely, you won’t be able to connect the 2.
But don’t worry. To fix this issue, all you have to do is…
Update each application:
iOS:
- Launch the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile at the top.
- Scroll down until you see the AVAILABLE UPDATES heading.
- Find your Alexa or Blink app under this section.
- Tap the UPDATE button beside each application.
Note: If you don’t see an app’s name on this page, it’s already up to date.
Android:
- Open the Google Play app.
- Click your profile icon at the top-right corner.
- Tap Manage apps & device.
- Find the Blink and Amazon Alexa apps from the list.
- Click the Update button beside these 2 applications.
Note: Your app’s already updated if you can’t find it on this list.
Now, before you retry the connection process…
#2: Disable Amazon Kids mode
If you have little ones around the house…
Alexa’s Amazon Kids mode is extremely handy.
After all, it ensures that every interaction with your Echo is age-appropriate.
However, for this solution…
You need to disable this feature.
Because you won’t be able to connect your Blink with Alexa if Kids mode is enabled.
Don’t worry. It won’t take you more than a minute to…
Turn Alexa’s Amazon Kids mode OFF:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap Devices at the bottom of your screen.
- Choose the Echo & Alexa tile.
- Click your Echo’s name from the list.
- Tap the Settings icon.
- Select Amazon Kids.
- Turn this feature OFF.
#3: Change Alexa’s location
To connect Blink to Amazon’s AI…
Your Alexa account must be located in 1 of the following countries:
- Italy.
- Spain.
- France.
- Canada.
- Germany.
- United States.
- United Kingdom.
So, take this time to…
Double-check your Alexa account’s location:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap Devices.
- Click Echo & Alexa.
- Choose your Echo from the list.
- Tap Device Location.
Don’t see an address located in the countries mentioned above?
Then, change your Alexa’s location to 1 of them.
You might also be interested: Alexa Device Is Unresponsive: 16 Causes & Fixes
#4: Do the connection process manually
Earlier, I taught you how to make Alexa automatically discover your Blink devices.
But since that process still won’t work…
Let’s try another method to connect Blink and Alexa.
And that’s to make your AI manually discover your security devices.
Fret not. This process isn’t too different from what you did earlier.
The only difference is you’ll skip using the Blink mobile app entirely.
So, just prepare your phone and follow these…
Steps to manually discover your Blink devices:
- Open your Alexa app.
- Click the Devices icon.
- Tap the + button at the top of your screen.
- Choose Add Device.
- Select Cameras from the list of devices.
- Tap Blink.
- Click Discover Devices.
Now, simply wait for Alexa to discover your Blink gadgets.
And follow further instructions to set them up.
Related reading: Alexa Not Discovering Devices: 10 Causes & Fixes
#5: Reset the Blink SmartHome Alexa skill
At this point…
It’s safe to assume that Alexa’s Blink SmartHome Skill is glitching.
After all, you still can’t connect Amazon’s AI to your security devices.
Fortunately, though…
It’s pretty easy to fix this problem.
All you have to do is…
Reset the Blink SmartHome Alexa Skill:
Step 1: Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
Step 2: Click Skills & Games.
Step 3: Touch Your Skills.
Step 4: Select Blink SmartHome.
Step 5: Tap Settings.
Step 6: Choose DISABLE SKILL.
Step 7: Go back to your Amazon Alexa app’s home screen.
Step 8: Click Devices.
Step 9: Select Cameras.
Step 10: Choose your Blink camera from the list.
Step 11: Tap the Settings icon on its top-right corner.
Step 12: Touch the Delete icon to remove the device from Alexa.
Note: Repeat steps 10-12 for each camera you have.
And now that you’ve reset your Blink SmartHome Alexa Skill…
Retry the setup process near the beginning of this article again.
Bonus: Contact Blink
If none of the solutions above could fix the problem…
I highly recommend contacting Blink’s customer support.
Because your security devices may have serious software or hardware problems. Which only professionals can fix.
Luckily, Blink has a very responsive support team.
So, contact them by:
- Calling 781-332-5465.
- Submitting a support ticket.
Note: The brand’s support team is available 24/7. So feel free to contact Blink whenever it’s convenient for you.