Routines can completely transform the way you use your Amazon Echo. They take Alexa from a simple voice assistant to a smart home automation machine that can perform a near-infinite combination of actions.
We're going to show you how you can fit Alexa Routines into every part of your day.
What Are Alexa Routines?
Alexa Routines are a set of one or more tasks that are grouped together, removing the need for you to ask Alexa to do each individually and manually.
Routines are made up of two components: triggers and actions. For example, you can create a Routine to turn a desk lamp on and start playing the radio when you enter the room or say a particular phrase.
To start creating a Routine, open the Alexa app (available for iOS and Android) and tap More along the bottom row, then Routines. Press the Plus in the top right corner, then enter a name and choose your trigger under When this happens. You can now pick as many actions as you like to chain together under Add action.
To learn more about creating Routines, take a look at our Alexa Routines beginner's guide.
1. Waking Up
Starting your day with Alexa can make your mornings much more pleasant. After your alarm goes off, you can set a routine to gradually turn on your smart lights, start your Flash Briefing, then play your favorite playlist or radio station to prepare yourself for the day ahead. If you’re commuting to work, you can also hear the best route and how long your commute will likely take.
Alexa can even list what you've got on your calendar for that day so you know what to expect.
Unsure of how to set up a Flash Briefing? Follow our guide on creating customized Flash Briefings.
2. Round the Breakfast Table
While you sit and eat breakfast or drink your morning coffee, you can set yourself up for the day ahead by having Alexa read your schedule from your connected calendar, followed by your to-do list and the weather forecast. If you have a smart toaster, kettle, or coffee machine, try triggering this routine as soon as you flick the switch.
3. Out the Door
When you’re ready to leave the house, you could set a trigger like “Alexa, I’m leaving” and have it turn off any connected devices, like your TV, lights, and appliances. If you have a connected thermostat, you set Alexa to turn off the heating or air conditioning. You can also get Alexa to lock your door or activate your smart security system if you have one.
4. Keeping Your House Safe
Not yet taken the plunge and splashed out on a pricey security system? You can still make do with Alexa’s built-in security functions. The fourth-generation Echo and Echo Dot devices both have the ability to detect motion using ultrasound, while the Echo Show uses its camera to detect when someone enters the room.
You can set up a routine that detects motion during a specific period, say 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and if motion is detected, have Alexa send you a notification. You could also play sirens or the sound of dogs barking if desired. With the Echo or Echo Dot, you can then Drop In and hear what’s happening in real time or take a look at your Echo Show’s camera in the Alexa app.
5. Cleaning Your Home
Instead of having Alexa perform a function when motion is detected, Alexa can also perform an action when motion isn’t detected. Alternatively, you can use location detection, which uses your smartphone’s location, to trigger a routine.
If you own a smart vacuum, set Alexa to start your vacuum after you leave the house or if no motion is detected after 30 minutes. Just be sure to specify this should only be active during the day.
6. Working From Home
Perhaps you work from home and don’t need Alexa guarding the house or turning off your lights. In that case, if you have an Amazon Echo in your work environment, you can use a phrase, a certain time, or even a light being switched on to start a Work From Home routine.
For example, you could set your Echo to do not disturb, lower its volume, and play music or a podcast while you work. For fans of the Pomodoro method, you can set timers and use the wait function to set timers throughout the day.
You can discover more about how you can supercharge your productivity in our in-depth guide to the Pomodoro method.
7. Coming Home
Once you’re done with the day’s work and are on your way home, you can use a location-based trigger, a phrase, motion detection, or a specific time to get your house ready for the evening. Alexa can turn on your smart lights, crank up the heating or AC, and switch the TV on just in time for you to get home.
You can even get Alexa to open your front gate, preheat your smart oven, and disable your security system if you own any of these connected devices.
8. Dinner’s Ready
Instead of shouting, “Dinner’s ready” and hoping everyone hears, save your energy and tell Alexa instead. You can then have Alexa announce your message across every device—ideal if your kids have an Echo in their room. You can still send a notification to their phones if they don't.
After letting everyone know it’s time to eat, Alexa can turn your dining room lights on and play some ambient music, or switch the TV on, whichever you prefer.
9. Kid’s Bedtime
Alexa can help with your kid's routines in multiple ways, including at bedtime.
If you need help getting your kids into bed, try setting a routine to trigger at a certain time that announces its time for them to brush their teeth and go to bed. If they have a smart light in their bedroom, you can set it to dim and turn it off after 10 minutes.
This routine is best paired with an Amazon Echo Kid’s Edition, which can play a lullaby or audiobook to send them off to sleep. You could also tell Alexa to wait 30 minutes, then announce from your main Echo if your child is still up and moving around.
10. Getting Ready for Bed
After winding down for the evening, it’s time for bed. Use a trigger like, “Alexa, goodnight,” or, if you’re one for staying up later than you should, a specific time to get Alexa to turn off the lights in your living room and turn the hallway and bedroom lights on.
You could also take this opportunity to have Alexa turn off the TV, lock all windows and doors, and wait five minutes before playing an audiobook while you get ready for bed.
11. Goodnight Alexa
When you’re ready to turn the lights off and go to sleep, you can use a phrase like, “Alexa, time for sleep,” to have Alexa turn off every light in the house and start playing a calming sound from the Sleep Sounds skill. You’ll need to use a customized command to do this, like “ask Sleep Sounds to play thunderstorms for one hour.”
This would also be the best time to enable your smart security system and to set a nightlight or hallway light to come on when motion is detected.
12. Garden Lights
Take smart home automation outside with a routine that automatically turns on your connected garden lights. The best trigger for this routine is after sunset, which Alexa can automatically detect. Alternatively, you can save energy by only triggering garden lights when movement is detected outside or when someone enters the room that leads into the garden.
13. Movie Time
There’s nothing better than putting on a good movie on a rainy Sunday. Let Alexa do the legwork and have it dim the lights (or turn them off entirely), draw the curtains or shut the blinds, turn on the TV, and put all Alexa-enabled devices in do not disturb mode.
Using a customized action, you can even get Alexa to recommend the best films on your favorite streaming service—if only Alexa could also bring the popcorn.
14. Nap Time
If you’re in need of a quick midday power nap, there’s a routine for that too. After you say “Alexa, nap time,” have Alexa turn off the lights, close the curtains or blinds and play a relaxing sound from the Sleep Sounds skill. Set a timer to go off in 30 minutes, and use the wait function to play some energizing music after 30 minutes to wake up with an extra spring in your step.
15. Get Motivated
If you're working from home but feeling a bit stuck, Alexa may be able to help. You can set an Alexa Routine to play any kind of music you'd like when you enter your workspace so that you're in a good mood when you start your day. Simply head into the Alexa app and choose which song you'd like to play while setting up the routine.
You may need a smart sensor to do this, but you can also set the routine to an alarm if you start work at the same time every day.
16. Set the Mood
Whether you're looking to sit down with a good book, do a home workout, or you're getting a house party going, you can use Alexa to set the tone of the day or night via your lighting. Using Alexa Routines, you can select personalized lighting layouts for different events. This allows you to perfect the atmosphere using just your voice, saving you time and energy.
The Possibilities Are Endless With Alexa Routines
As you can see, Alexa Routines are an incredible innovation that can simplify every aspect of daily life. When combined with multiple smart devices, like lights, security systems, and appliances, you can turn your home into the smart home of your dreams.