How to Connect Alexa to iPhone in 4 Steps (With Photos)

Apple and Alexa go together like pineapple and pizza. It’s really a love/hate relationship, but once you get used to it, the pair work together exceptionally well. The question we’ll answer today is: “Will Alexa and Siri play nicely? Well, of course, they will, but first, you must learn how to connect Alexa to your iPhone.

Perhaps you want to use your iPhone’s Bluetooth to play music on an Echo device. Maybe, you and Siri had a falling out, and you want Alexa to be your go-to hands-free iPhone AI. Stick around for a bit while we walk you through all the different ways you can connect Alexa to your iPhone.

How to Connect Alexa to iPhone Using Bluetooth

Did you know that you can connect your iPhone to your Echo’s Bluetooth and play music instantly? While Alexa will play music if you connect it to Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited, or Pandora, you can also play local files, Apple music, and other audio directly from your iPhone if you pair your iPhone to Alexa using Bluetooth.

You can follow the same steps you use to pair your iPhone to any other Bluetooth device, but first, your Alexa needs to be in pairing mode so your iPhone can find it. We’ll walk you through all the steps to connect your Alexa to your iPhone via Bluetooth.

Step 1: Put Alexa in Pairing Mode

The instructions for putting Alexa in pairing mode vary depending on the Echo device. If you have an Echo with no screen, press and hold the circle button until the orange light starts spinning.

If you have an Echo with a screen, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Settings. Then, tap Bluetooth.

Step 2: Open the iPhone Settings

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the Settings App.

Step 3: Tap Bluetooth

When you see the Bluetooth option, tap it.

Step 4: Tap Your Echo

If your Echo device is still in pairing mode, you’ll see it in the Available Device list. Tap your Alexa device.

Alexa will connect to your iPhone, and you can begin playing music, phone calls, and other audio on your Echo.

Helpful hint: After the initial pairing process, you can go to your iPhone’s Settings and tap the Alexa device in your paired device list.

How to Connect Alexa to iPhone Using the Alexa App

If you want more functionality than Bluetooth, you can connect Alexa to your iPhone with the Alexa app. This app lets you make phone calls, Drop-In, and perform other neat functions. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Install the Alexa App

Open the App Store on your iPhone and type Alexa in the search bar. Then, tap Get to install the Alexa app on your iPhone.

Helpful hint: If you’ve already installed the Alexa app at some point, you’ll see a cloud icon instead of Get. Tap the cloud icon.

Step 2: Sign Into Your Amazon Account

Now, sign into your Amazon account.

Helpful hint: Ensure your iPhone is paired to the same Wi-Fi network as your Echo device.

Step 3: Ensure Your Echo is in the App

Now, tap Devices at the bottom of the home page and verify that your Echo is connected to your iPhone.

After setting up the Alexa app on your iPhone, you can use Drop In, make phone calls, and add cool features.

Helpful hint: If you don’t see your Echo device ensure you logged into the correct Amazon account. Or, go through the initial setup process and pair Alexa to your account.

For a thorough walkthrough of this approach, you can also check out the following video:

How to Use Alexa instead of Siri on Your iPhone

While you can’t activate Alexa on your iPhone with voice commands, you can add the Alexa widget to your iPhone’s home screen and add items to your shopping list, set up a new skill, or ask Alexa to tell you a joke right from your iPhone. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Long-Press Your Home Screen

Choose a blank space on your home screen and long-press it until your apps start shaking.

Step 2: Tap the + Icon

When your apps start to shake, tap the + sign in the upper left corner.

Step 3: Add the Alexa Widget

We’re going to add the Alexa widget to your home screen so you can access Alexa quickly. Type Alexa in the search box at the top to find the widget quickly. Then, tap + Add Widget at the bottom.

Step 4: Tap Done

Now you’ll see the Alexa widget on your iPhone’s home screen. Tap the Alexa widget and start talking. Alexa will respond to your requests.

Connecting iPhone and Alexa – Troubleshooting

Are you running into problems connecting the Alexa app? Perhaps, Bluetooth isn’t cooperating. Alexa and Siri don’t always play well together, but a few troubleshooting steps will set everything right.

Bluetooth Won’t Connect

If you don’t see your Alexa device in your Available Devices list on your iPhone, ensure that Alexa is in pairing mode. If it doesn’t go into pairing mode, you won’t see the option to connect Alexa to your iPhone. You can try restarting your Alexa device or ensuring it’s getting adequate power with its original power cable.

If you see the device on your iPhone, but it won’t connect, you can turn Bluetooth off and back on. If that doesn’t work, turn your phone off and back on again.

These steps will fix most Bluetooth connection issues. However, if you continue to have problems, you can contact Amazon for help with your Alexa device.

Alexa App Won’t Connect

Another common issue we encounter is when we can’t connect the Echo device to the Alexa app on our iPhone. When this happens, it’s most likely because we aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. Verify that your iPhone is connected to a 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands.

Next, turn the Echo device off and turn it back on again. If that doesn’t work, you can reset your Echo device.

Alexa & iPhone – Connected at Last

There are a lot of benefits to connecting your iPhone to Alexa. If you don’t have access to the Alexa app, you can pair your iPhone to Alexa via Bluetooth and listen to your favorite music.

If you want to use your iPhone to drop in on a contact, you can use the Alexa app. Lastly, you can use Alexa on your iPhone by adding the Alexa widget. Follow our steps above and enjoy the harmonious relationship between Alexa and iPhone.