Although you can program Alexa to manage your lights at specific times of the day, you may want Alexa to turn off the lights the moment the sun is up and turn them back on once the sun is out—not based on time, but the actual presence of the sun. Is this even possible?
Yes, it is possible. This article will show you how to do it and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this feature.
How to kick off the Alexa routine for sunrise and sunset?
The first step to doing this is by creating a new Alexa routine.
Once you get to the routine page, follow these steps:
- Tap WHEN THIS HAPPENS
- Choose the routine trigger
- Tap on SCHEDULE
- Tap on SUNRISE
- Remove the days you do not want this routine to work
- Tap NEXT
- Tap on ADD ACTION
- Set the actions you want
Once done, do the same thing for the SUNSET part under the same routine.
Do not make a new routine. It is better to combine the sunset and sunrise under the same routine.
Keep in mind that this is a routine that will work on its own.
Make sure you really want Alexa to do this.
If you ever change your mind, you can always create a new routine and set commands so you can override this one.
If you want, you can also add more triggers.
Does Alexa have a sunrise feature?
Yes, Alexa has a sunrise feature, and it is automatically enabled on some devices.
The sunrise feature, however, has something to do with alarms.
For lights, you need to set this up manually.
If you enable the sunrise feature, the Echo’s light will brighten for 15 minutes, and the device will sound the alarm.
To toggle this setting, you just have to go to the settings and tap on Display and Brightness.
It is where you will find the sunrise feature.
Can Alexa routine have two triggers?
Yes, Alexa can have more than one trigger for a specific routine.
To add a new trigger, go to the specific routine, and tap on VIEW/EDIT.
Once you get there, follow these steps:
- Tap on WHEN YOU SAY
- Tap on ADD ANOTHER PHRASE
- Add the new trigger
You can add up to seven triggers for each routine. Once done, tap on NEXT at the top-right corner of the screen.
Remember that Alexa will follow all these triggers, so be very careful with the phrases you set so as not to confuse Alexa.
In addition, you are not limited to using voice triggers only.
There are several ways to trigger a routine, and you can combine these ways as you see fit.
How do you make custom Alexa commands?
Before you can customize Alexa commands, you need an Amazon Echo or Dot device.
From here, you need to create your custom commands in the routines.
Here are the steps to make custom Alexa commands:
- On the Alexa app, tap the menu button at the top left
- Tap on ROUTINES
- Tap on the routine you want to add a trigger to
- Tap WHEN THIS HAPPENS
- Choose the type of trigger
- Enter the custom phrase that you want to use
Do not put a period at the end of that phrase, and make sure that you will remember this phrase very well, as Alexa may not be able to understand you if you say something a little different from the customer phrase.
What can trigger Alexa routines?
There are several ways to trigger an Alexa routine. These ways are:
- Voice
- Schedule
- Device
- Arrive or Leave
- Echo button
For voice, you need to enter a phrase. You will say this phrase to Alexa if you want to trigger the routine.
So, for example, you created a routine where Alexa will turn on the lights in an ambient mood and turn on the TV.
For the phrase, you will type: Alexa, TV Time (no period).
Once done, you can say, “Alexa, TV Time.” From here, Alexa will recognize that you gave it a command.
Then, it will do the things you programmed it to do based on this routine.
The scheduling trigger works like an alarm clock.
You will set the date and time, and frequency that Alexa will execute the tasks for a routine.
For example, if you set the routine schedule every Monday at 5 PM, Alexa will do it automatically on that schedule.
For the device, the trigger will depend on an action from a device.
For example, if you set the door lock as the trigger, Alexa will do the task in that routine once you open or close the door.
It is also possible to trigger a routine based on your location, which is called Arrive or Leave.
For example, you want Alexa to trigger the routine once you are in the office.
Alexa will find your location via your phone, and once it knows that you are in the office, it will execute the tasks you programmed it to do.
You can also trigger the routine based on an alarm, but this is rarely used unless the routine you set is like a daily chore that has to happen every specific interval.
Finally, there is the option to trigger the routine based on pressing a button on the Echo device.
This is probably the most rarely used feature, as it does not make too much sense.
Typically, Alexa is like a modem router that people leave on all the time.
Conclusion
Alexa is a powerful tool that keeps on getting upgrades.
Now, you can set it to remember when to turn your lights on or off in relation to sunrise or sunset.
Just keep in mind that a routine like this is something like a “set it and forget it” set-up.
In addition to the sunrise feature, you can also create custom voice commands that can trigger the routine without waiting for the sunset.
Overall, you can create up to seven routines.