Ready to say goodbye to Siri?
Got your Bluetooth on?
Awesome!
Those are the only 2 things you need to get started.
Connecting Alexa to your iPhone via Bluetooth doesn’t even take 1 minute.
Your iPhone will be Alexa-ready before your pop tarts finish toasting.
Read on to discover…
- 7 steps to connect your iPhone to Alexa via Bluetooth.
- How to convince Alexa to find your iPhone via Bluetooth.
- Why Siri is a possessive girlfriend and limits some actions with Alexa.
- Whether it’s possible to add an Alexa widget in your iPhone’s home screen.
- And many more…
How to connect Alexa to an iPhone via Bluetooth?
Connecting Alexa to your iPhone via Bluetooth requires downloading the Alexa app first. You should enable your iPhone’s Bluetooth ahead of time to speed up the process. After that, it’s all a matter of following the on-screen instructions to set up Alexa with your iPhone.
7 steps to connect Alexa to iPhone via Bluetooth
#1: Turn on Bluetooth
Make sure your Bluetooth is turned on prior to the setup.
This puts your iPhone on the Bluetooth radar ahead of time.
#2: Download the Alexa app
Go to your app store and download the Alexa app.
Don’t worry.
The Alexa app is compatible with all iOS devices, including your iPad.
#3: Log in to your Amazon account
While your Alexa app is downloading, sign in to your Amazon account.
After that, you might have to do a couple more steps. It’s super easy.
Just tap “Continue” to agree to Amazon’s Terms and Conditions.
That’s all? Yup.
Told you it was super easy.
#4: Tap “Yes” to set up your device
You’re halfway there!
After agreeing to Amazon’s Terms and Conditions…
Here’s what you need to do in this step:
- Simply tap on “Yes” to set up your device.
- Then, a list of options will pop up.
- Select your username from the list of options.
- Confirm your first name and last name.
- Press Continue.
#5: Give permission to Alexa
Of course, Alexa needs a few things on your end.
For example, Alexa will ask for your contact list. Should you give it?
Why, yes of course. How else can you use Alexa to call your mom? Dad? Boyfriend/girlfriend?
Give permission to Alexa to access your microphone too. Well duh, right?
#6: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup
This part will mostly be about teaching Alexa your voice.
It might be similar to Siri’s setup process where Siri asks you to say 5 different sentences.
After you’ve finished this part, simply follow any on-screen instructions.
#7: Enable Alexa on your iPhone
You’ve got it! You’re here.
You can enable Alexa in three different ways:
- Just say “Alexa” on your iPhone.
- Tap on the keyboard icon so you can type your request.
- Tap on the blue Alexa icon located at the top of your screen.
And that’s it.
Did you hear your toaster ding?
Well, well, well.
It seems like you finished setting up Alexa before your pop tarts were ready.
See – told you it wouldn’t take longer than 1 minute.
Okay, so now what?
Go ahead and use Alexa, of course.
But if Alexa doesn’t seem to connect to your iPhone, keep reading.
Why can’t Alexa find my iPhone Bluetooth? 3 causes & fixes
#1: Your iPhone has a minor software glitch
Okay, I’m gonna be Captain Obvious for a second, but hear me out…
Technology isn’t perfect.
So minor glitches happen from time to time. It could be a bug or a software issue. Sometimes, it could be due to malware.
Whatever the case, glitches can get in the way of your connections. Whether it’s WiFi or Bluetooth.
Fortunately, minor glitches aren’t so bad that you can’t solve them easily.
How to fix it:
To fix a minor software glitch, simply restart your iPhone.
Here’s how to do it:
- Hold the side button and volume down button of your iPhone.
- Wait for a slider to appear on your iPhone screen.
- Move the slider from left to right. This will shut down your iPhone.
- If that doesn’t work because your iPhone is hanging, do a force restart.
- Wait for 15 to 30 seconds after your iPhone shuts off.
- Hold down the side button on your iPhone.
- Wait for the Apple logo to appear and let go of the side button.
#2: The Alexa app crashed
This is hardly the cause since you just downloaded the Alexa app.
However, in the event it does happen, don’t panic.
App crashes are fairly expected. Why?
Ever wonder why apps constantly need updating? It’s to solve any bugs, crashes, or glitches in the app.
An app crash is mostly the software developer’s fault.
So if it crashes once, all you need to do is reopen the app, right?
Easy peasy.
Now, now. There’s just one extra step I recommend you do as well.
How to fix it:
After you reopen the Alexa app, reset your Bluetooth.
This will send a message to your iPhone and the app that you’re starting fresh.
It’s as if the crash never happened. Or, it’s your first time pairing your Bluetooth.
Think of it like that.
So, here’s what you’re going to do:
- Open your iPhone’s settings.
- Select Bluetooth from your settings.
- Tap the switch on your Bluetooth.
- It should turn from a green color to a gray color.
- Wait about 5 to 10 seconds.
- Tap on the switch again.
- Reconnect to your Alexa app.
#3: Another Bluetooth device is causing the interference
Is your iPad’s Bluetooth on?
Because that might be causing the Bluetooth interference.
I highly doubt that’s the reason.
Think of it like this.
You’re at a small party with friends. There are about 5 of you.
One of your friends was thoughtful enough to bring their JBL speaker.
Awesome!
Now, you can play Save Your Tears by the Weekend.
Two of your friends turn on their Bluetooth and try to connect to the speaker.
And then you don’t hear the *ping* that Bluetooth speakers make when they successfully connect.
Something’s wrong.
It’s not connecting.
Say hello to Bluetooth interference.
Believe it or not, this does happen.
If there’s any device that’s within the range of the Bluetooth device, interference can happen.
It’s the same with your Alexa app.
What if your brother’s Bluetooth was on before you turned on your Bluetooth?
Bluetooth isn’t very smart. It just might connect to your brother’s phone first before connecting to yours.
Okay, so how do you solve this?
How to fix it:
All you have to do is reset your Bluetooth.
And then you can pair it back to your Alexa app.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Open your iPhone’s setting and select Bluetooth.
- Turn off your Bluetooth by tapping on the switch.
- Wait for about 5 to 10 seconds.
- Tap on the switch again to turn on your Bluetooth.
- Pair it with the Alexa app.
Can you add an Alexa widget in your iPhone’s home screen?
Yes, you can an Alexa widget on your iPhone’s home screen.
Adding an Alexa widget makes it easier for you to access.
Think of a widget like a desktop shortcut.
Widgets are convenient shortcuts on your home screen.
This way, you don’t have to keep swiping left and right to find the Alexa app.
Here’s how to add an Alexa widget:
- Swipe left in your iPhone until you see your screen is filled with widgets.
- Select any widget and hold your finger down on that widget.
- Keep holding your finger down until a pop-up menu appears.
- Tap on “Edit Home Screen”.
- In the upper left corner of your screen, there should be a “+” icon.
- Tap on the “+” icon.
- Select the Amazon Alexa icon.
- Tap “Add Widget”.
- Reposition the Alexa widget however you want to.
- Tap “Done” to finish the setup.
- Try accessing the Alexa app by tapping on your new widget.
Now, your Alexa app is one tap away.
Are there limited functions Alexa can’t do?
Here’s an interesting thought.
Can Alexa replace Siri?
Would you abandon Siri for Alexa? Or better yet, is Alexa better than Siri?
Even if you wanted to, you can’t replace Siri with Alexa.
Siri is a possessive girlfriend, alright. And she does limit some functions Alexa can’t do.
Jealous much?
So why does Siri do this?
That’s where the words “limited functions” come in. It’s mostly a security or privacy measure that Apple has to protect your phone.
Alexa is powerful. There’s a whole ton of things it can do that Siri can’t do. Check out the full list here.
But!
Alexa can’t do important functions like changing the settings on your iPhone.
Only Siri can do this.
For example. Adjusting your iPhone’s screen brightness is something Siri can only do that Alexa can’t.
Changing certain phone settings in your iPhone is off-limits to all except for Siri.
Then again, that’s not so bad considering how powerful Alexa is.
Heck, you don’t even have to say “Hey, Alexa” to wake it up. Saying “Alexa” is enough.
“Alexa, that’s a wrap!”