We all know Alexa as our trusty voice assistant—playing music, setting timers, and answering random questions like “What’s the capital of Madagascar?” (It’s Antananarivo, by the way). But Alexa is so much more than a glorified jukebox or trivia machine. Beneath her sleek exterior and soothing voice lies a treasure trove of secret features and hidden tricks that can take your smart home experience to the next level.
From starting your car while you're still in bed to whispering bedtime stories, Alexa can do some truly jaw-dropping things that most users don’t even know about. So, buckle up, because we’re about to uncover the coolest and most unconventional ways Alexa can work magic in your home. Let’s get started!
1. Turn Alexa Into a Baby Monitor
Forget splurging on a fancy baby monitor. If you already have an Echo Show and a compatible smart camera (like the Ring Indoor Cam or Wyze Cam), you’re set! Just connect the camera to Alexa, place it in the baby’s room, and voilà—instant video monitor. You can check on your baby with a simple, “Alexa, show me the nursery.” It even offers two-way communication, so you can talk or play soothing sounds to help your baby sleep.
2. Start Your Car Without Lifting a Finger
Yes, you read that right. If your car supports apps like FordPass or MyChevrolet, Alexa can start your car or check your fuel level—all with just a voice command. Imagine cozying up on a cold winter morning and simply saying, “Alexa, start the car.” By the time you’re out the door, it’s toasty warm.
3. Enable Whisper Mode for Late-Night Commands
Ever whispered to Alexa late at night and wished she’d whisper back? Good news—she can! Whisper Mode allows you to give Alexa commands in a hushed tone, and she’ll respond just as quietly. Perfect for when you don’t want to wake up the whole house
Just say, “Alexa, turn on Whisper Mode,” and you’re all set for late-night quiet time.
4. Create Your Own Custom Skills
With Alexa Blueprints, you can personalize Alexa to suit your needs. Want a custom trivia game for family night? Or how about Alexa giving personalized greetings when guests arrive? Blueprints let you create custom commands and skills without needing to know a single line of code. Make your Alexa truly one-of-a-kind!
5. Use Alexa to Feed Your Pets
If you have a smart pet feeder, you can use Alexa to schedule feedings, check how much food is left, and even get reminders when it’s time to refill. With a simple, “Alexa, feed the cat,” you’ve got your pet’s mealtime covered.
6. Find Your Lost Phone with Alexa
Can’t find your phone? Alexa’s got your back. As long as your phone number is linked, just say, “Alexa, find my phone,” and she’ll ring it—even if it’s buried in the couch cushions. You’ll never have to go on a phone scavenger hunt again!
7. Turn Alexa Into a Home Intercom
Turn your Echo devices into an intercom system with the “drop-in” feature. Simply say, “Alexa, drop in on the kitchen,” and you can communicate with someone in another room without shouting across the house. It’s perfect for checking in with the kids or asking someone to pass the remote.
8. Build Custom Routines to Simplify Your Life
Streamline your daily tasks by setting up custom routines with Alexa. You can create a sequence of actions triggered by a single command. For example, saying “Alexa, good morning” could turn on your lights, start your coffee maker, and give you the day’s weather forecast—all in one go.
9. Sync Alexa with IFTTT for Ultimate Control
IFTTT (If This Then That) allows Alexa to integrate with other services for even more functionality. For example, you can set Alexa to turn on your lights when you receive an important email or order pizza when you say, “Alexa, it’s game night.” The possibilities are endless.
10. Track Santa’s Journey
Around the holidays, you can turn Alexa into your very own Santa tracker. Just enable the “NORAD Tracks Santa” skill and ask, “Alexa, where’s Santa?” to get real-time updates on Santa’s whereabouts as he makes his way around the world.
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