To verbally tell Alexa to run a routine, just say, “Alexa, start my day.”
Alexa will only execute this routine if you created one and then named it “start my day.”
In short, you must first make a routine in the Alexa app.
You must choose the things Alexa will trigger or do in it and then give it a name that you can pronounce.
This name is the trigger that Alexa will wait for.
In addition to this, there are other ways to trigger a routine, and Alexa will do as instructed.
Below are some of the ways you can add to your routine triggers.
What devices can trigger an Alexa routine?
Many devices, such as smart doors, TV, motion detectors, can trigger a routine.
For example, Alexa can trigger routines if you open or close doors and windows.
To make it work, these smart devices must be compatible with Alexa.
You can also use smart lights to trigger Alexa to execute routines.
The steps to make this work vary from one device to another.
What really matters is you search for the device through your Alexa app.
These two programs must communicate. The best way to do it is to give Alexa a skill.
You choose a skill in the Skills & Games menu to do this.
Then, you can tap the magnifying glass to search for one.
Here, you will find something like Hue, a smart lights brand.
Once you have enabled this skill, you can see this option under WHEN THIS HAPPENS when you create a routine.
You can choose the HUE MOTION SENSOR in this example as the trigger.
Then, you can continue on ADD ACTION to program Alexa to do the things she must do in a particular routine.
How do you trigger Alexa routines with a button?
It is easy to do this, provided your Amazon Echo has a button.
Below are the steps you must follow.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone
- Click on MORE
- Choose ROUTINES
- Tap on the PLUS icon
- Create a name for your routine
- Choose WHEN THIS HAPPENS
- Here, choose the ECHO BUTTON as your trigger
- Next, press the specific button that you want to use as trigger; this is the PHYSICAL button on the device
- Now, you can tap on ADD ACTION
Next, complete the other routine sections and save the routine.
From now on, that routine will work only if you press the trigger in the Amazon ECHO device.
If you already have an existing routine, you can edit them and change the trigger mechanism under WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
There are other buttons you can use if you do not want the Amazon Echo device to trigger a routine.
For example, you can buy the following things:
- Alexa light switch
- Alexa Play/Pause button
- Alexa clock button
These buttons come with another device, which is a hub, that you connect with Alexa and Amazon Echo.
It is a bit complicated to use, but you can carry the buttons around the house.
Can Alexa serve as an alarm clock?
Yes, you can make Alexa function as an alarm clock. There is even an Echo device that has a clock on it.
This is the 3rd generation Echo Dot. It has a digital clock interface.
With or without the digital clock interface, you can create a routine for Alexa to wake you up at a specific time.
The easiest way to do it is to say, “Alexa, set the alarm.”
If you say this, Alexa will ask what time you want the alarm to trigger.
It will also ask you if you want the system to alarm in the morning or evening.
You can also say, “Alexa, set the alarm in the next four hours.”
If you want to set up the alarm manually, follow these steps:
- Launch the Alexa app
- Tap on MORE
- Select REMINDERS AND ALARMS
- Tap the PLUS icon (+)
- Enable the time you want to alarm
- Choose the repetition cycle
- Chose the music you want to play
- Tap on SAVE
There are many variations by which you can trigger an alarm.
Of course, you do not want Alexa to wait for a voice command—how can you do it if you are asleep?
So far, you can use music from Amazon or other music apps to play instead of a typical alarm sound.
You can even use a news channel as the alarm sound.
Can you create a routine for Alexa to turn on and off alarms?
Yes, you can do this if you want. Follow the steps below to create a routine for alarms.
- Launch the Alexa app
- Tap on ROUTINES
- Hit the PLUS icon (+)
- Tap on WHEN THIS HAPPENS
- Here, choose your trigger; tap on SCHEDULE
- Choose the time of the trigger
- Select the rules like repetition
- Tap on DONE
From here, you must tap the ADD ACTION button.
This section is where you choose what Alexa would do.
Do you want it to play music? How about ringing a bell, playing the news, or reading a book?
There are many options, but many people choose to play music from an app or a radio station.
Once you have selected the sound source, you can save the routine.
Do not limit yourself to playing sounds. You can add many things to your alarm clock if you make it an Alexa routine.
For example, you can turn off the lights, turn on the TV, call somebody, and much more.
Summary
Alexa is probably the best home assistant you can buy now.
It is capable of delivering and executing many tasks.
You can even teach the program to order pizza from you.
To get the best out of it, make sure you buy devices that are compatible with Alexa.
If these devices do not work with Alexa, you will not be able to enjoy Alexa’s full capabilities.