This post shows how to connect the Echo Input Alexa device to a typical Bluetooth speaker. We will do this with the JBL Flip 5 speaker. Since this Bluetooth connecting happens between the speaker and the Echo Input directly, you need not turn Bluetooth on in the mobile device you’re using to set up this link.
How to Connect the Echo Input to a Bluetooth Speaker
Start with your Bluetooth speaker powered off. Then run through this routine to connect it to the Alexa Echo Input device. We’re using an iPad Air tablet to set up this linkage.
1. Find the Alexa app on your Mobile Device
We found the app on an iPadOS iPad Air as shown in the next screenshot. In our case, the Alexa app is on the third home screen page. It’s pointed at by the blue arrow.
2. Run the Alexa App
The app displays its Home screen as shown in the next screenshot.
3. Tap the More (Hamburger) Control
Find the hamburger item in the lower right corner of the screen. This is pointed at by the green arrow in the last screenshot.
This brings up the Alexa app’s main menu, as shown in the next screenshot.
4. Tap the Settings Option on the Main Menu to Continue with How to Connect Echo Input to Bluetooth Speaker
The Settings option is pointed at by the green arrow in the last screenshot.
This brings up the Settings screen, as shown in the next screenshot.
From here, choose which Alexa device you wish to connect to your Bluetooth speaker. The green arrow in the next picture points at our choice, the Thomas’s Echo Input device.
5. Tap the Alexa Echo Input Device you Want to Connect
This takes you to the device-specific settings screen for the Echo Input you picked.
6. Tap the Bluetooth Devices Item
Find the Bluetooth Devices menu item pointed at by the green arrow in the last screenshot.
This brings up the Bluetooth Devices screen, as shown next.
At this point, you’re ready to start a Bluetooth scan by the Echo Input you just chose for this connection. In our demo here, our Alexa Input will be the one that scans for Bluetooth devices.
But don’t press the Pair a New Device button just yet. We must first power up the Bluetooth speaker and put it into discovery mode.
7. Turn On your Speaker to Continue with How to Connect Alexa Echo Input to Bluetooth Speaker
Put down your mobile device for a moment, and turn on your BT speaker. In this demo, we’re pairing with a JBL Flip 5. So in our case, we turn the speaker on by quickly pressing its Power button. See this button pointed at by the green arrow, in the next picture. Your Power button may look similar.
The speaker then powers up.
But since our Amazon Input device does not know about this speaker yet, this BT speaker will not connect with it automatically. Thus, the Bluetooth light that shows as dark after you power up this speaker. Note that your particular speaker may show this non paired state differently.
8. Put your Bluetooth Speaker into Discovery Mode
Now, to allow Alexa Input to find your speaker, place that speaker in Bluetooth discovery mode by pressing and releasing the Bluetooth button, as pointed at by the green arrow in the next picture.
When you press the Bluetooth Discovery Mode button, many speakers make some sort of noise to let you know that they’re ready to pair. Some also flash the Bluetooth button or some other lamp on their control panels.
9. Now, Go Back to your Mobile Device
The screen with the blue Pair a New Device button should still be showing, as in the next screenshot.
10. Tap the Blue Pair a New Device Button to Continue with How to Connect the Amazon Echo Input to a Bluetooth Speaker
This starts your Echo Input scanning for any nearby Bluetooth devices that are themselves in discovery mode. Since your BT speaker is now in discovery mode, the Input should find it.
After a short pause, you should see something like the screen we got. Shown next.
In our demo, the Alexa app found our BT speaker, named JBL Flip 5.
11. Find your Bluetooth Speaker on the Discovered Devices List
See the screenshot above.
So, we located our speaker in the list, as pointed at by the green arrow in that picture.
12. Finally, Connect your Echo Input with your Bluetooth Speaker
Connect to the BT speaker by tapping the listed speaker in the Bluetooth Setup screen, shown in the last screenshot above.
The Echo Input then connects with the speaker (“JBL Flip 5” in this demo).
The app then takes you back to the Device Settings page for the Echo Input, as shown next.
Also, our speaker makes a Speaker Paired sound (the three ascending tones). Again though, your speaker may do something different to indicate that it is paired.
The speaker is now connected with the Echo Input.
13. Done with How to Connect Echo Input to Bluetooth Speaker !
We have now successfully connected our BT speaker with an Alexa Echo Input. So we can now ask Alexa to play music or any other audio content through this speaker.
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Revision History
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- 2021-09-03: Shortened the internal links and tags lists.
- 2020-08-18: First published.