How to Set Up Your Smart Home Devices Easily With Amazon Alexa
Alexa-compatible devices tagged as ‘Certified for Humans’ are relatively simple to set up. Here’s how to use Alexa to set up your smart home devices.
Setting up a smart home device you’ll control with an Amazon Echo can be a challenge. Normally, you have to enable the device, connect it to your home network, and get your Echo to recognize it. However, Amazon offers a program called Certified for Humans that allows you to do this all with the Alexa app. Here’s how to set everything up.
Simplified Setup
Products labeled as Certified for Humans can be enabled by having Alexa detect them on your wireless network. Amazon’s Certified for Humans page lists a few compatible devices, but there currently isn’t a full list of certified devices for you to browse.
If you’re looking for a Certified for Humans device, your best bet right now is to search for “Certified for Humans” (with quotes) on Amazon to get a narrowed list of products. However, be aware that not all entries will actually be part of the program. Look for a logo that says Certified for Humans or a listing that mentions the program in the product description.
Under the Add to Cart and Buy Now buttons, notice a setting that says Link to my Amazon account to simplify setup with a box checked by default. To use the simplified setup, you’ll want to leave this box checked so you can enable the device using your Amazon account, then just order the product.
Configure Wi-Fi Settings
Before you can connect your Certified for Humans device with your Echo, a few criteria must be met. The Echo must be connected to the same Amazon account used to purchase the Certified for Humans device. Both devices should be on the same Wi-Fi network. You should also be running the latest version of the Alexa app for iOS/iPadOS or Android.
The Certified for Humans process relies on a feature known as Amazon Wi-Fi Locker. This feature stores your Wi-Fi credentials in the cloud when you set up an Amazon Echo and shares them with compatible smart home devices. These credentials are sent over a secured connection and stored in an encrypted file on an Amazon server.
To check this setting, go to the Manage Your Content and Devices web page and sign in with your Amazon account. Click the heading for Preferences and select Saved Wi-Fi Passwords. The setting for Wi-Fi simple setup should be enabled as it means that any new Alexa-compatible smart device you plug in will automatically use your existing credentials for a quick and easy setup.
If you’re not comfortable with your credentials being stored by Amazon this way, click the Delete button next to Your Saved Wi-Fi Passwords and the Disabled button next to Wi-Fi simple setup is enabled. However, the Wi-Fi simple setup is enabled box needs to remain checked if you want to use the easy setup for your Certified for Humans product.
Connect With Echo Device
Plug your device into a power outlet-you can either plug it directly into an AC outlet or plug it into a power strip or UPS. Wait a minute for two for Alexa to pick up the device on your network. You should then receive a notification on any mobile device with the Alexa app that a new device was found.
Alexa suggests that you try saying “Alexa, turn on [name of device].” Look at the device to make sure the light goes on. You can also listen to a click indicating that the device has turned on. Then say “Alexa, turn off [name of device].” The light should go off, and the device should emit a click to indicate that it’s now off.
Set Device Settings
You can view and modify certain settings for the device. Open the Alexa app and tap the Devices icon on the bottom toolbar. Then tap the Plugs or All Devices icon at the Devices screen.
Tap the name of the newly discovered device, then tap the Settings gear in the upper-right corner of the screen.
At the Settings screen, tap the Edit Name link to change the name of the device. Here, you can also disable the device if you’re no longer using it. You can then re-enable it if you want to use it again. Finally, tap the trash can icon to delete the device if you don’t plan to use it ever again.
Manually Connect Device
If Alexa fails to detect your new smart device, or you deleted your saved Wi-Fi passwords in the interest of privacy and security, you can still set up your smart device manually through the Alexa app. Plug in your device and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone or tablet. In the Alexa app, tap the icon for Devices, then tap the + symbol in the upper-right corner and select Add Device.
Select the type of device you want to set up by choosing the brand or device. At the screen asking you to connect your device to Alexa, make sure your device is plugged in and powered on, then tap Next.
The next screen will vary based on the type of device. In some cases, you’ll have to download the app for the device and use that to manually set it up. In other cases, you can simply scan the barcode from the device, its product box, or instruction booklet.
Follow the instructions for your specific device until it is connected to your Wi-Fi network and detected by the Alexa app. If prompted, tap the button to Set Up Device to continue setting it up.
You then have the option to add the device to a specific group inside the Alexa app. Tap Choose Group to add the device to a group of other smart devices, otherwise skip this step.
You can now turn your device on and off by speaking to Alexa. If you need to edit the device’s name or disable/enable the device, turn to the Alexa app. Go to Devices and drill down to your device, then tap the Settings icon.
Originally published at https://www.pcmag.com.
