AI WORLD HQSet Up an Alexa+ Routine to Automate Your Everyday Tasks
Learn how to create a simple Alexa+ Routine that greets you, controls lights and plays music – all with a single voice command.
Hook: By the end of this guide you’ll have a working Alexa+ Routine that starts your morning (or any other moment) with a spoken phrase, turning on lights, playing music and delivering a custom greeting. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a little extra convenience without needing any coding skills.
- An Alexa+ device (Echo speaker, Echo Show or any Alexa‑enabled smart display) plugged in and connected to your home Wi‑Fi.
- The Alexa+ app installed on a smartphone or tablet and signed in with your Amazon account.
- Any smart‑home devices (e.g., smart bulbs or plugs) already added to the Alexa+ app.
- About 5–10 minutes of quiet time.
Open the Alexa+ app
Tap the Alexa+ app icon on your phone or tablet. When the app opens you’ll see a home screen that shows a picture of your device at the top and a row of icons across the bottom (Home, Devices, Routines, etc.). Tap the Routines icon – it often looks like a clock or a series of stacked squares and may be labelled “Routines”. The app will slide to a new page listing any existing routines. If you don’t see a Routines icon, look for a three‑line “Menu” button in a corner and choose “Routines” from the list. You’ll know it worked when a screen appears titled “Your Routines” with either a list of routines or a note that none exist yet.
Start creating a new routine
On the “Your Routines” screen, locate a plus (+) button in the top‑right corner (or a button that says “Create Routine”). Tap it. You’ll now see a blank page that asks you to “Add a name” and “When this happens”. If the plus sign isn’t visible, look for a colourful “New Routine” button near the centre of the screen – the wording can vary between devices. You’ll know it worked when the top of the page shows a text field for the routine name and a section titled “When this happens”.
Name your routine
Tap the text field that says “Add a name”. A keyboard slides up and you can type any label you’ll recognise later – for example Morning Wake‑Up. (If you’re on a tablet, the keyboard may appear at the bottom of the screen.) After typing, look for a Next or Continue button – usually at the bottom right – and tap it. You’ll know it worked when the view switches to a new screen that says “When this happens” and shows a button labelled “Add trigger”.
Choose a voice trigger
Press the Add trigger button. A menu of trigger types appears: Voice, Schedule, Smart Home and Device. Select Voice – this tells Alexa to listen for a spoken phrase. A field labelled “Enter phrase” opens; type the exact words you want to say, such as Alexa, good morning. Tap Next or Add (the button may be at the bottom of the screen). If you don’t see a Voice option, look for any item that mentions “spoken phrase” or a microphone icon. You’ll know it worked when the top of the routine page now reads “When you say ‘Alexa, good morning’”.
Add an “Alexa Says” action
Below the trigger section, tap Add action. A list of action categories appears – “Alexa Says”, “Music & Podcasts”, “Smart Home”, etc. Choose Alexa Says; you may need to scroll a little. Now pick Customised (or “Speak text”) – this opens a text box where you can type what Alexa should say. Enter a friendly greeting like Good morning! Time to start the day. Tap Next or Add to save the action. If the category is named “Speech” or “Announcement” instead of “Alexa Says”, select the one that lets you type a spoken line. You’ll know it worked when the routine summary shows a line reading “Alexa will say ‘Good morning! Time to start the day.’”.
Add a music action (optional but fun)
Press Add action again, which now appears under the previous action. Choose Music & Podcasts from the list. If you have a music service linked (Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.) you’ll see its logo – tap the service you prefer. A new field lets you type an artist, genre or playlist name; for a breezy start type Acoustic Sunrise (or any favourite playlist). Tap Next or Add. If no music service shows, you’ll need to link one in the Alexa+ app’s Settings first – the guide assumes a service is already connected. You’ll know it worked when the routine page lists a second action: “Play ‘Acoustic Sunrise’ on Spotify”.
- Skipping the “Add trigger” step: Without a trigger Alexa won’t know when to run the routine. If you miss it, go back to the top of the routine page and tap “Add trigger” again.
- Typing the wrong phrase: Alexa matches the spoken phrase exactly, so a typo will prevent activation. Double‑check the text in the “Enter phrase” field and re‑type if needed.
- Forgetting to link a music service: The “Music & Podcasts” action will appear blank if no service is connected. Open the Alexa+ app’s Settings → Music, add your favourite service, then return to the routine.
Open the Alexa+ app, tap Routines, create a new routine called Quick Test, set the voice trigger to Alexa, test routine, and add a single “Alexa Says” action that says Hello, I’m ready!. You’ll have a working routine in under two minutes.
✦ Original step-by-step guide by AI World Co.'s AI editorial team. Written in plain language, reviewed for accuracy.
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