“Alexa, tell me a joke.”
This is just one of the many things you can do with Alexa.
Cool, right?
No wonder it has become popular across the globe.
And if you’re using an Android device…
Then good news!
You can enjoy more perks.
Continue reading to find out:
- 5 must-know Alexa features.
- 10 Easy steps to use Alexa with your Android device.
- 4 Quick tips to fix Alexa app and Android that are incompatible.
- And this is just the beginning…
Is Alexa compatible with Android?
Alexa is compatible with Android. Moreover, the app works well with Android Operating System. This means it can be your default voice assistant. And since it’s owned by Amazon, you can use it to order from the company and perform other tasks.
5 things you can do with Android and Alexa
#1: Order food
Hungry but too busy to drive to your favorite restaurant?
Or can’t scroll through a resto’s website?
No worries…
Alexa got you.
All she needs is for you to connect her to restaurant accounts.
However…
No matter how kind Alexa is to you…
She has no access to all restaurants.
This means you can’t just order from any food stores.
But even so, she still has a list of popular cafes and takeout giants.
It includes:
- Chipotle.
- Dominos.
- Starbucks.
You can also try checking other available restaurants on Amazon’s Restaurant Finder.
#2: Ask her to look after your furry friend
No time to play with your furry friends?
That’s okay.
Alexa will take charge of it. She can be your pet sitter.
To activate, here’s how:
- Go to Amazon Alexa Skills.
- Under “Department,” click “Lifestyles.”
- For cat owners, type “meow” in the search bar.
- For dog owners, type “bark” in the search bar.
- Feel free to choose among the downloadable apps.
You can instantly use it once you connect it to your Alexa device.
Note: The sound will play on loop until you ask Alexa to stop. Simply say, “Alexa, stop.”
#3: Depend on her security
Alexa isn’t just for fun times.
Like a dear friend, she can also ensure your safety.
Because her premium subscription to Alexa Guard is there.
“How does it work?”
Alexa Guard can work as your personal security as it has access to emergency helplines.
Your Echo speakers at home will detect threats.
Because Alexa will closely listen to unfamiliar sounds.
And she’ll turn on features to threaten possible intruders.
Some of these features are:
- Siren sound.
- Dog bark sound.
- Smart lights that turn on and off.
This way, you’ll save yourself from worries whether you’re home alone or away.
You may also like: 47 Best Alexa Routine Ideas (#13 Will Blow Your Mind)
#4: Care about your loved ones
Alexa doesn’t only focus on you…
She also cares about the well-being of the people you love.
Through Alexa’s Care Hub, the distance wouldn’t feel too heavy.
By monitoring your family who’s away, it’ll allow you to feel closer to them.
“How does it work?”
First of all, your family should have the Echo device.
Alexa will notify you once they use it…
Or when they haven’t used it in a while.
Although you can’t check the detailed activities, you’ll see their activity feed with Alexa.
This feed will give you an idea of what they’re doing.
Now, the purpose of Care Hub is simple:
And it’s to let you know that your loved ones are well.
Or, God forbid, if they’re in an emergency.
For you to get alerts, your Amazon account should be their emergency contact.
If they urgently need you, they can say “Alexa, call for help.”
Alexa will then contact you right away either through a:
- Call.
- Text.
- Notification.
#4: Give you a daily dose of articles or news
Alexa doesn’t want you to miss your daily reading.
Or be out of touch with what’s happening in the world.
And this has been made possible by her Flash Briefing skill.
Through this skill…
You’ll be presented with some articles and news that may interest you.
It’s called “flash” because it only shows quick overviews or snippets of the write-ups.
#5: Set reminders
Alexa is also proactive.
If you tend to forget things…
Then she’ll remind you of your errands or activities for the day.
Moreover, you can also ask her to remind other members of the household.
But you can only do that if such members’ Alexa profiles are connected to the same Alexa accounts.
“How do I set reminders?”
- Open your Alexa app.
- Tap on “More.”
- Tap on “Add reminder.”
- Type the things you want her to remind you of.
Note: Don’t forget to include which Alexa device should receive the reminder.
#BONUS: Lighten up your day
I’m including this in the list because I understand how draining some days can be.
And sometimes, all you need is a good laugh.
Or an uplifting message that can make you feel that you’re not alone.
Luckily, Alexa can be that confidante.
Especially if you don’t want to dump your issues to your friends.
We all feel that at times, right?
So…
If you need a little break from your hectic life to save your sanity…
Feel free to ask Alexa anything that can make you feel better.
For instance…
If you want to boost your mood, say, “Alexa, can you tell me a good joke?”
She’ll be happy to answer you.
In fact, you can also get some fun Alexa tricks that’ll make you laugh.
How to use Alexa with Android?
To use Alexa with Android, you have to follow a step-by-step process. And it’s easy.
Here’s how:
- Open Google Play Store.
- Search “Amazon Alexa” or “Alexa.”
- Install.
- When it’s installed, it should be on your Home screen.
- Open the app to start setting up.
- Log in (use your Amazon account’s username and password).
- Tap “Get Started.”
- Find “Help Alexa Get To Know You.”
- Select your name (If your name isn’t there, tap “I’m Someone Else” to add your information).
- Tap “Continue.”
Amazon will ask permission to access your contacts.
If you want to connect with your family and friends, select “Allow.” Otherwise, tap on “Later.”
And you’re almost there.
To start using the app, you should allow Alexa to access your device’s microphone.
That’s the time you can finally ask questions or give commands.
Want to watch a video tutorial? Check this out:
Why is Alexa not compatible with my Android device?
Alexa isn’t compatible with Android because the device is either full or outdated. Or your internet connection is the problem. If not, you must have downloaded a bad version of the Alexa app.
For quick troubleshooting, here are a few steps:
#1: Check your device’s storage
Since Alexa offers many features, she needs larger storage.
Your device might be full, so you have to clear some space for the app.
Here’s how:
- Go to Settings.
- Select “Storage.”
- Free some space.
Note: You need to clear at least 3GB to make way for Alexa.
#2: Power cycle your Wi-Fi router
Internet connection is a common cause of device issues.
But the good thing is, it’s easy to fix.
You just have to power cycle your Wi-Fi router.
This means you have to:
1. Turn off the router.
2. Wait for at least 30 seconds.
3. And turn it on again.
You can also unplug the cord and plug it back after 30 seconds.
#3: Reinstall the Alexa app
If nothing works so far…
You probably have a bad version of Alexa.
This could happen if the app is installed from an untrusted provider.
Thus, you have to uninstall the app and install a new one.
Pro tip: Download it from Google Play Store.
#4. Check your device’s version
As of today, Alexa requires a 6.0 Android version.
If none of the troubleshooting works…
Then maybe you’re using an old Android device.
To check:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “System.”
- Tap “System update.”
- Tap “Android version.”
If it’s below 6.0, then you need to get a new device.
However…
If it meets the required version…
Maybe you only need a software update.
This means you have to:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “System.”
- Tap “System Update.”
Once it’s done, Alexa should be compatible with the device.
You may also read: 12 Reasons Why Alexa Doesn’t Respond To Commands + 12 Fixes