Amazon’s Echo, or most commonly Alexa, is a range of speaker and virtual assistant devices that communicates with its users using the AI-based Alexa virtual assistant. There are a number of things that Alexa is capable of. You can use Alexa to play music, respond to your voice commands, receive weather updates and news, stream podcasts, and listen to audiobooks. You can also use Alexa to control a variety of other smart devices, effectively turning it into a home automation system.
Sometimes you might face connectivity issues that make it difficult to connect to Alexa using the internet. You see, Alexa requires the internet to work to its fullest potential. So, what if you don’t have a stable WiFi connection or no connection at all? Is there an alternative then? In this guide, we will learn how to connect Alexa to iPhone without WiFi.
Can Alexa work without an internet connection?
The answer is no. Amazon’s Alexa needs the internet to access everything from running Google searches and streaming music to giving live news updates. It would be impossible for Alexa to provide these features without having an internet connection. However, by using the Bluetooth feature on your smartphone, you can use Alexa as a speaker.
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Can Alexa work without WiFi?
WiFi connection is the only way for Alexa to be connected to the internet, and without the internet, it cannot perform its most important functions. However, if you have an unstable WiFi connection or no connection, in that case, there is an alternative method. You could use your smartphone’s mobile data as a hotspot.
How to connect Alex to iPhone without WiFi – Two Methods
You can connect your iPhone to Alexa without using your WiFi connection in two ways. And the methods include using Bluetooth and mobile hotspots.
Connect Alexa to iPhone using Bluetooth
In this method, we will be connecting an iPhone to Amazon’s Alexa device via Bluetooth. That being said, you won’t be getting any of the functions that Alexa used to offer that required the internet. For example, you cannot ask Alexa for Google searches, news updates, weather updates, etc. The main reason being Alexa is not connected to the internet. Instead, you’ll be using Alexa as a hands-free Bluetooth speaker and will be able to play music from your iPhone.
How do I connect Alexa to Bluetooth?
Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone or smartphone and pair your Alexa device with Bluetooth. Also, make sure that you have already installed the free Amazon Alexa app. After that:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Choose Devices > Echo & Alexa
- Next, select your device.
- Then choose Bluetooth Devices followed by Pair A New Device.
When trying to connect the next time, turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone or say “Pair Bluetooth” to your Alexa device. After the initial pairing process, Amazon’s Alexa device will automatically connect with your devices, such as your smartphone, via Bluetooth.
How to use Alexa as Bluetooth speaker?
If you want to use your Alexa device as a Bluetooth speaker, then follow the steps below:
- Make sure your iPhone is always within the Bluetooth range of your Alexa device.
- Ensure that the Bluetooth connections of all other devices have been disconnected from your Alexa device.
- Next, set your iPhone and your Alexa device in pairing mode.
- On your iPhone, head over to Settings > Bluetooth, and then under Other Devices, choose the Alexa device. Alexa will announce if there is a successful connection.
- After that, play any song or audio on your iPhone and listen to it play louder on your Alexa device.
Connect Alexa to iPhone using a mobile hotspot
Another method to connect your Alexa device to your iPhone without using WiFi is by using the mobile hotspot. This method requires a stable internet connection on your iPhone. However, there is a chance that you won’t be able to connect your iPhone with your Alexa-based device when you are setting it up for the first time. So, initially, you might need a WiFi connection to first pair your devices.
Here’s how to connect Alexa to iPhone with hotspot:
- Open the Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Personal Hotspot.
- Then make sure that Personal Hotspot is turned on and note down your hotspot username and password.
- Next, launch the Amazon Alexa app on your iPhone and head over to the Devicestab.
- There select your Alexa device (Echo) and then select your iPhone’s hotspot name from the list of network options. Then enter your hotspot password.
- After that, you’ll be able to use your iPhone’s mobile hotspot and access all the functions of Alexa.
Can Alexa work with mobile data?
If you are using the mobile hotspot on your iPhone, then mobile data is required for Alexa to talk and respond to your voice commands. However, if you are using your mobile data, then you’ll be incurring data charges depending on your data plan. Without any internet connection, your Alexa devices will only work as Bluetooth speakers.
What can Alexa do without the internet?
To utilize an Amazon Alexa device, you must have a WiFi internet connection. However, there are a few things you’ll be able to do with your Alexa device if there is no internet connection. And they are:
- Use your Alexa device as a Bluetooth speaker.
- Use Local Voice Control to adjust the volume of your Alexa device.
- Set reminders on your Alexa device.
- Still get alarms without the internet.
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