How to Use Alexa on Your Android Phone

By Mike Prospero, Monica Chin
published

It's easy to use Amazon's assistant on your Android phone with the dedicated Alexa app. Here's how to get started.

Amazon's voice assistant isn't limited to the Echo; you can also get Alexa on your smartphone, so you can ask it the same things as you would at home—such as trivia, the news, weather, sports, turning on your smart lights, and much, much more. Here's what you need to do to get Alexa up and running on your Android smartphone. (You can get Alexa on your iPhone, too.)

1. Download and install the Amazon Alexa app.

2. Open the Alexa app. If it's up-to-date, you should see a small blue Alexa icon in the bottom center of the screen (we've circled it in red).

3. Press the Alexa button. The first time you use this feature, the app will ask you to allow certain permissions.

MORE: Best Alexa Skills - Top 50 Cool and Useful Things Alexa Can Do

4. Press Allow to let Amazon Alexa record audio. (You will only have to do this once)

5. Press Allow to let Amazon Alexa access your device's location. (You only have to do this once)

6. Press Done to start using Alexa.

7. Say a phrase when the blue bar appears at the bottom of the screen.

8. You're all set. From now on, simply tap the Alexa icon at the bottom of the app to start Alexa. Press the white X in the blue circle to cancel your request.

MORE: For more Alexa-related tips, tricks, and how-tos, check out our complete guide to Alexa.

Mike Prospero
Mike Prospero
U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's Guide

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.