You can connect Alexa to new wifi without app only if the device was previously connected to a network and you use a voice command. The old method of using a web browser at Alexa.amazon.com was shut down by Amazon in 2022, so the Alexa app is now required for most situations, including setting up a new or factory-reset device. If you do have the app available, you can connect Alexa to wifi in just a few steps through the device settings.
Can you still connect Alexa to new wifi without the app?
The honest answer is: not in the way most old guides describe. For years, users could visit Alexa.amazon.com in a phone browser to change Wi-Fi settings, but Amazon has since shut down that web portal. If you are trying to connect a brand-new Echo or one that has been fully reset, the Alexa app is currently the only supported method. However, there is one exception: if your Alexa device still remembers its previous Wi-Fi network, you can use a voice command to switch to a new network without touching the app. If you just need to play music from your phone while your Wi-Fi is down, you can connect Alexa to Bluetooth without wifi.
Method 1: Use a voice command (if Alexa was connected before)
This is the only working app-free method, and it only works if your Echo is already connected to a Wi-Fi network and has not been reset. The device must still remember its previous connection to hear your command.
- Alexa will respond and begin scanning for available networks. Wait for her to list the networks she finds.
- When you hear the name of your new Wi-Fi network, say the network name aloud. If the network is hidden, you may need to say the exact SSID.
- If the network requires a password, Alexa will ask you for it. Speak the password clearly. Note that Alexa does not confirm the password back to you, so speak carefully.
- Once the password is accepted, Alexa will say she is connecting. The light ring will turn blue briefly, then solid, indicating a successful connection.
This method works because the Echo holds its previous network credentials in memory. If you have already reset the device or are setting it up for the first time, this voice command will not work, the device will simply say it is not set up yet and direct you to the app.
Method 2: The Alexa app is now required for most cases
If your Echo has been reset, or if you are setting up a new device, the Alexa app on a smartphone or tablet is mandatory. There is no browser-based workaround anymore. If you do not have a smartphone at all, you will need to borrow one or use a tablet that can install the Amazon Alexa app. For specific workarounds when you lack a phone, refer to the sibling page on how to set up Alexa without a smartphone.
Save your wifi password to Amazon for easier future setups
During initial setup in the Alexa app, you may be prompted to save your Wi-Fi password to your Amazon account. This is a verified feature that can simplify connecting other Alexa, Kindle, or Fire devices to the same network later. When you save the password, any new Amazon device you add will automatically detect and connect to that saved network without needing to re-enter the password. This is especially helpful if you frequently add new devices or replace an Echo, since the saved password eliminates the need to type it again on each device.
What to do when you're stuck
If the voice command method fails or you cannot get the app to recognize your device, check these common issues:
- Double-check the Wi-Fi password. Alexa does not show what you said, so a spoken password with special characters or numbers is easy to mishear.
- During app-based setup, ensure your phone connects to the temporary "Amazon-XXX" network.
- If the light ring never turns orange during setup, the device may not be in setup mode. Unplug the Echo, plug it back in, and wait for the ring to cycle through blue and then orange.
- For complete guidance on every step of setting up Alexa, see the main hub for how to set up and connect Alexa.
