How to Connect Alexa to Amazon Music

Alexa and Amazon Music are designed to work perfectly together, offering one of the most seamless smart home music experiences available today. For UK households, Alexa has become the heart of many living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, letting you listen to your favourite artists, playlists, or radio stations just by asking. Whether you own an Echo Dot, Echo Show, or another Alexa-enabled device, connecting it to Amazon Music gives you instant access to millions of songs without lifting a finger.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to connect Alexa to Amazon Music, what subscription options are available in the UK, how to set up and manage your account, and how to troubleshoot common issues. We’ll also explore the benefits of Amazon Music integration, how to control playback using voice commands, and how to use Alexa routines to automate your listening experience.

Understanding Amazon Music and Alexa Integration

Amazon Music is a streaming service operated by Amazon, offering millions of tracks across all genres. It comes in several versions, including Amazon Music Free, Amazon Music Prime, and Amazon Music Unlimited. Each offers different features and limitations, which we’ll explore shortly.

Alexa is Amazon’s intelligent voice assistant that powers the Echo range of smart speakers and displays. When linked to Amazon Music, Alexa can stream songs directly from the cloud, eliminating the need for Bluetooth connections or manual browsing. Simply say, “Alexa, play some pop music,” or “Alexa, play Ed Sheeran,” and Alexa will access Amazon Music to deliver your request.

Because Alexa is part of the Amazon ecosystem, the connection between the two services is automatic for most users who already have an Amazon account. However, to take full advantage of the features—such as personalised playlists, offline listening, and multi-room streaming—you’ll need to ensure your Alexa device is properly linked to your Amazon Music account.

Setting Up Amazon Music on Alexa

If you’ve never connected Amazon Music to your Alexa before, the process is quick and straightforward. Start by making sure your Echo or Alexa-enabled device is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.

Next, open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. Tap “More” in the bottom-right corner, then select “Settings.” Scroll down to “Music & Podcasts.” Here, you’ll find a list of music services that Alexa can use, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Tap “Amazon Music,” then select “Link Account.” If you’re already signed in with your Amazon account, Alexa will automatically connect your Echo devices to Amazon Music. If not, you’ll be prompted to log in with your Amazon credentials. Once complete, Alexa will confirm the link.

From this point onward, you can ask Alexa to play music directly from Amazon Music without any further setup.

Choosing the Right Amazon Music Plan for Your Alexa Device

Amazon offers several tiers of its music service, each designed to suit different users.

Amazon Music Free is available to anyone with an Amazon account. It offers limited access to curated playlists and stations but includes adverts and restricts song selection.

Amazon Music Prime is included with an Amazon Prime membership. It provides access to over 100 million songs ad-free but has some limitations on on-demand playback, meaning you may not be able to choose specific songs every time.

Amazon Music Unlimited is the premium tier. It offers complete access to the full library, including ultra-HD sound, exclusive albums, and the ability to play any song, album, or playlist on demand. Subscribers can also create their own playlists, enjoy hands-free listening across multiple devices, and download music for offline playback.

For those who primarily listen through Alexa devices, there’s also an Amazon Music Unlimited Echo Plan, which gives full access to Amazon’s catalogue but is limited to a single Echo or Fire TV device. This plan is typically cheaper but less flexible if you have multiple devices at home.

How to Set Amazon Music as the Default Service

If you’ve connected multiple music services to Alexa, it’s a good idea to set Amazon Music as the default so that Alexa automatically plays from it when you make a request.

Open the Alexa app and go to “Settings,” then “Music & Podcasts.” Tap “Default Services.” Under “Music,” select “Amazon Music.” You can also set it as the default for “Artist and Genre Stations” and “Podcasts.”

Once set, you no longer need to specify “on Amazon Music” when giving a command. Instead of saying, “Alexa, play rock music on Amazon Music,” you can simply say, “Alexa, play rock music,” and Alexa will automatically use Amazon Music.

Playing Music on Alexa Using Voice Commands

Once Alexa is connected to Amazon Music, you can use simple voice commands to play just about anything. Try saying:

“Alexa, play relaxing music.”

“Alexa, play my ‘Liked Songs’ playlist.”

“Alexa, play the latest Ed Sheeran album.”

“Alexa, play 80s rock.”

You can also ask for specific playlists, genres, or stations, such as “Alexa, play Amazon Music Chill Station.” If you have multiple Echo devices, you can direct playback to a specific one, for example, “Alexa, play pop music on Kitchen Echo.”

Alexa can even resume where you left off, remembering the last song or playlist you played.

Using Multi-Room Music with Amazon Music

One of Alexa’s most impressive features is multi-room music. This allows you to play the same music simultaneously across several Echo devices in your home.

To set it up, open the Alexa app, tap “Devices,” then select “Combine Speakers.” Choose “Multi-room Music,” and select the Echo devices you want to group. Give your group a name like “Everywhere” or “Downstairs.”

Once created, you can say, “Alexa, play Amazon Music on Everywhere,” and music will stream across all devices in perfect sync.

If you have Amazon Music Unlimited Family or Individual plans, you can even play different music on different devices at the same time, giving each room its own soundtrack.

Creating Playlists and Favourites

Amazon Music makes it easy to build your own playlists using either the Alexa app or voice commands. You can say, “Alexa, create a playlist,” and Alexa will ask what you want to name it. Once created, add songs by saying, “Alexa, add this song to my Chill playlist.”

You can also mark songs as favourites by saying, “Alexa, like this song.” Over time, Amazon Music learns your listening preferences and begins to curate recommendations based on your taste.

All playlists and favourites created through Alexa sync automatically with your Amazon Music account, so you can access them from your phone, computer, or tablet too.

Using Amazon Music on Different Alexa Devices

If you own multiple Alexa-enabled devices, Amazon Music will work across all of them under the same account. You can play different songs in separate rooms, control playback using the Alexa app, or transfer music from one device to another by saying, “Alexa, move my music to the living room.”

Devices like the Echo Show can also display album art and lyrics while the song plays, enhancing the experience visually.

How to Troubleshoot Connection Problems

Sometimes, you may encounter issues with Alexa not playing music or failing to connect to Amazon Music. Most problems are easily fixed by checking a few settings.

If Alexa says it can’t find your music, make sure your Amazon account is linked properly. Open the Alexa app, go to “Settings,” then “Music & Podcasts,” and ensure Amazon Music appears as a linked service.

If you receive messages like “Amazon Music is not available right now,” it may be due to a temporary server issue or a Wi-Fi connection problem. Restarting your router and Echo device often resolves this.

If Alexa is playing music from the wrong account or device, check that you’re signed in to the correct Amazon account on both the Alexa app and the Amazon Music app.

For subscription issues, open your Amazon account in a web browser and confirm that your Amazon Music subscription is active and associated with the same email as your Alexa device.

If sound quality drops or songs skip, it could be due to a weak Wi-Fi signal. Moving your Echo closer to your router or reducing interference from other devices like microwaves or cordless phones can improve performance.

Parental Controls and Family Sharing

Families using Alexa with children at home can enable Amazon Kids mode, which filters out explicit lyrics from Amazon Music. You can turn this on by saying, “Alexa, turn on Amazon Kids,” or by enabling it through the Alexa app under “Device Settings.”

If you have an Amazon Music Family Plan, you can share the service with up to six members of your household. Each person can create their own playlists, favourites, and listening preferences while still being able to use Alexa voice control independently on their assigned Echo devices.

How to Disconnect Amazon Music from Alexa

If you ever need to disconnect or switch to another streaming service, go to the Alexa app and open “Settings,” then “Music & Podcasts.” Tap on “Amazon Music” and select “Disable Skill” or “Unlink Account.”

You can then add a new service, such as Spotify or Apple Music, by selecting “Link New Service.”

Using Alexa Routines with Amazon Music

Alexa routines allow you to automate daily activities with music as part of them. For instance, you can create a “Morning Routine” that turns on your lights, reads the weather, and plays your favourite playlist automatically.

To create a routine, open the Alexa app, tap “More,” then “Routines.” Select “+” to create a new one, choose your trigger (such as a time of day or voice command), and then add an action. Choose “Music” and select your song or playlist from Amazon Music.

You can create similar routines for bedtime, workouts, or relaxation, helping you weave music naturally into your daily life.

Privacy and Data Considerations

Because Alexa and Amazon Music work together through the cloud, your listening habits help Amazon refine its music recommendations. However, you can control what data is stored or shared.

In the Alexa app, go to “Settings,” then “Alexa Privacy.” Here you can review voice recordings, delete history, and adjust permissions for third-party skills.

You can also manage data collection in your Amazon account settings, ensuring you only share what you’re comfortable with.

Costs and Value of Amazon Music on Alexa

In the UK, Amazon Music pricing varies depending on the plan. Amazon Music Free costs nothing but includes adverts and limited control. Amazon Prime members get Amazon Music Prime included at no extra cost, while Amazon Music Unlimited costs around £10.99 per month for individual users, or £9.99 if you’re a Prime member.

The Echo-only plan, ideal for Alexa users, costs around £5.99 per month. This plan lets you stream the entire catalogue but only through one Echo or Fire TV device.

For families, the Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan costs approximately £17.99 per month, allowing up to six users to enjoy simultaneous ad-free listening across devices.

Common Alexa Music Commands

To make the most of Alexa and Amazon Music, it’s worth learning a few key voice commands:

“Alexa, play the top hits.”

“Alexa, skip this song.”

“Alexa, pause the music.”

“Alexa, play my workout playlist.”

“Alexa, volume up.”

“Alexa, who is this artist?”

These simple phrases make it easy to manage playback without touching your phone or app.

Conclusion

Connecting Alexa to Amazon Music opens up a world of convenient, hands-free entertainment for your home. Whether you’re relaxing in the evening, cooking dinner, or hosting guests, Alexa gives you effortless control over your music with just your voice.

By linking your account, setting Amazon Music as your default service, and understanding how to use playlists, routines, and multi-room audio, you can create a personalised listening experience that fits perfectly with your lifestyle.

With millions of songs available and seamless integration across all Alexa devices, Amazon Music transforms your Echo into a complete smart entertainment system. Once connected, you’ll find that music becomes an effortless and enjoyable part of your daily routine, powered entirely by your voice.