The Amazon Echo is a remarkable voice-enabled device that works as a functional unit in every household.
Echo devices are best known for their built-in capabilities that range from providing information and checking the news, to powering your smart home framework–all of which are predominantly hands-free.
Unfortunately, these tasks cannot be performed without a stable Wi-Fi connection.
All hope is not lost here as most Echo devices work with a Bluetooth connection and a mobile hotspot outlet. Here is how you can use Amazon Echo without a steady Wi-Fi connection.
Does Amazon Echo Work Without Wi-Fi?
All rudimentary features require an internet connection to reach their full potential.
The Echo Dot is a smart voice-activated speaker that transcends information and communicates with other smart home devices through voice commands.
The constant exchange of data and information demands an active internet connection.
Without Wi-Fi, the Echo Dot features are more or less futile as internet access is imperative. In order to derive the most benefits out of your Echo Dot, a Wi-Fi connection must be available.
Can You Use Alexa Without Wi-Fi?
Even though there are downsides to using Amazon Alexa without a Wi-Fi connection, it is still a possibility.
An Alexa device connects to a wireless network of Bluetooth-enabled devices and even works with mobile data collection.
The autonomous wireless Alexa devices connect to each other through a series of voice commands.
These voice commands are not stored in the device itself and need to be translated into text. Amazon servers use this text as a command and send data back accordingly. This entire process is dependent on a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Since Alexa devices perform functions only via Bluetooth and hotspot, let us discuss how they work and the intrinsic setting-up process.
Can Amazon Echo Be Used As A Bluetooth Speaker?
Although most functions are rendered useless without a steady internet connection, there is still one feature that works smoothly without Wi-Fi.
An Echo device works as a Bluetooth speaker in the absence of Wi-Fi but that comes with limitations too.
You will be able to play music on your Echo device only if you have already paired the two devices via Bluetooth before the Wi-Fi disconnects.
Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker works as a music player. You can play your preferred music from streaming services such as Spotify, iTunes, and Alexa.
However, Alexa is responsive as voice commands are activated only if there is an internet connection. Follow the steps below to use Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker.
- Open the Bluetooth setting on your mobile phone.
- Select Bluetooth and click on pair new device.
- Pair your Echo device by saying “Alexa, pair” or “Alexa, connect to Bluetooth”.
- Now on your mobile device, connect Alexa by selecting your Echo model from the list of available devices.
- Tap on Echo devices to connect it to your phone.
Regardless of whether you are connected to Wi-Fi or not, a Bluetooth device can only be paired with an active mobile data connection.
If you do not possess mobile data, make sure that your smartphone is already paired with the Echo speaker before your Wi-Fi connection gets disconnected.
Alexa Functions That Work With Wi-Fi
Before discussing the Alexa functions that don’t depend on Wi-Fi to work, let us look at some functions that cannot work without Wi-Fi:
- Replying to your questions that require cloud access
- Streaming music
- Alexa skills like ordering from a restaurant
- Online shopping
- Announce messages to other Echo devices
- Calls and messages via Wi-Fi
- New updates
If you are in a situation where you are unable to connect to Wi-Fi, then these functions will unfortunately not work. Consider waiting until you are reconnected or try the functions listed below.
Alexa Functions That Work Without Wi-Fi
We have already registered that Alexa relies on the Amazon server to process commands and that most functions become unresponsive without an Internet connection.
Select devices and Alexa work when connected to a Bluetooth-enabled device and mobile hotspot. Let us look at some of them below.
1. Play Music
You can play Amazon Music even without a Wi-Fi connection and even connect to other Alexa-compatible devices in the same way. The Bluetooth speaker without Wi-Fi functions as an alarm system and even works with other paired devices.
Bluetooth devices connect seamlessly with smart speakers to play music from your favorite music streaming services with your mobile data. The sound quality may not be the best but it still serves its purpose.
2. Set Alarms
You can set Alexa alarms and reminders without an active Wi-Fi connection. Any existing Alexa alarms work until you reconnect to Wi-Fi. If you want to disconnect your alarm system without Wi-Fi, you can simply set the volume to one. This is helpful when you set your alarms at night and there is a power outage. In such cases, your alarms will still go off at the desired time.
3. Echo Connect
Another feature that works well after the pairing process is Echo Connect. Amazon Echo without Wi-Fi can make phone calls with other Echo devices through the landline phone.
Keep in mind that Amazon’s drop-in feature, which announces messages on various Echo devices, will not work. You will only be able to make phone calls.
4. Smart Home Appliances
There is a way to connect Echo Dot to smart devices without the need for Bluetooth. First, you need to set your Alexa Echo device in pairing mode to access its voice-activated benefits.
On your Alexa app, enable local voice control to control your smart home devices. Now you can set alarms, reminders, play music, and even use select devices with voice automation.
Conclusion
Amazon Alexa devices are a worthy investment for smoothly controlling your smart home devices. Even if all features aren’t available without internet connections, you still have access to some features via the Alexa app.
Therefore, even if there is an emergency your Amazon Echo Dot still works as a trustworthy device for your numerous offline needs. The next time your Wi-Fi connection stops working, you can still use your Amazon Echo!