Home LivingSmart HomeHey Alexa! 8 Amazon Alexa commands you probably didn’t know aboutTry these secret Alexa commands to optimise your home securityWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingSmart HomeHey Alexa! 8 Amazon Alexa commands you probably didn’t know aboutTry these secret Alexa commands to optimise your home securityWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Try these secret Alexa commands to optimise your home security
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Amazon)
(Image credit: Amazon)
If you have anAlexa-enabled device, you probably already know how to ask her for the weather, to start a timer and to adjust your smart lighting. But, there are many clever Alexa voice commands that you can use to optimise your home security and make the organisation of your smart home more seamless.
Amazon’s Alexa is arguably the most popular voice assistant that comes installed in the majority of thebest smart speakers, as well as Amazon smart home devices like theEcho Studiospeaker, theEcho Show 15smart display and theAmazon Echo Dot. With an Alexa-compatible gadget, all you have to do is say “Hey Alexa!” and she’s ready to answer your questions, play music, make phone calls and even do your food shopping.
Aside from the obvious, Alexa actually has a ton of ‘secret’ commands that can make your smart home more streamlined and safe. Of course, it’s fun to ask your Alexa to tell a joke or get her to quote movies with you, but to optimise your home security and make your smart home experience run more smoothly, these are 8 hidden Alexa commands that you need to try.
1. “Alexa, Delete Everything I Said Today”
What puts many people off from using voice assistants is that they think they’re constantly listening in and recording everything you’re saying. While Alexa does store recordings so she can improve voice recognition and understand your personal preferences better, you can easily erase your search history every day if you don’t want your conversations saved. To do this, simply say “Alexa, Delete Everything I Said Today’ and your entire day’s search will be deleted.
2. “Alexa, I’m Leaving.”
(Image credit: Amazon)
(Image credit: Amazon)
3. “Alexa, Start My Day”
Creating routines is a great way to keep all your smart devices connected and working as one. As Alexa is compatible with so many smart gadgets, likePhilips Hue lightsand Arlo cameras, you can create Alexa routines and group all your commands together. For example, let’s say when you wake up in the morning, you want to turn the lights on, play the radio, turn on your coffee machine and set a timer for your morning workout. Simply set up this Alexa routine in the app and say “Alexa, start my day”. Not only does this save you time but it means your days are more organised and stress-free.
4. “Alexa, Show The Front Door”
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
5. “Alexa, Go Home"
Similarly, if you want to remove the live feed from your Echo smart display, say “Alexa, go home” and she’ll get rid of this for you. Another way to use the ‘go home’ function is when you want to return to your home screen. This command can be used on both Echo Show devices or Fire TVs.
6. “Alexa, Change Your Wake Up Word”
If you no longer want your smart home device to answer to Alexa, you can change it. There are a few reasons why you might want to do this with the main one being that it’s a little annoying! But from a security point of view, changing your devices’ wake up word means less people can access it. For example, if someone is trying to use your Alexa-enabled device to break into your home, they won’t be able to if you’ve changed it from Alexa. When you say “Alexa, change your wake up word”, you can choose from ‘Alexa’, ‘Amazon’, ‘Computer’ and ‘Echo’.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
7. “Alexa, Why Did You Do That?”
Sometimes, we’re not always sure why Alexa does the things she does! Whether it’s randomly turning down your music or not properly interpreting what you’re saying, this command makes it easier for you to understand Alexa’s behaviour and makes communicating with Alexa more effective. When you say “Alexa, why did you do that?” Alexa will explain why she responded that way to your last request.
8. “Alexa, Stop"
To get Alexa to stop doing what she’s doing, just say “Alexa, stop.” This command immediately stops everything that Alexa is doing, with no explanation required. Not only is this helpful if you’re in a rush but it can keep your home safe and secure. For example, let’s say you’re asking Alexa for help with making payments or checking your bank balance and a guest has entered your home. If you don’t want them to know that information, you can use this command and Alexa will keep schtum.
Today’s best Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) deals14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$49.99View$49.99View$85ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) deals14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$49.99View$49.99View$85ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) deals
14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$49.99View$49.99View$85View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99
$49.99
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99
$49.99
$85View
$85View
$85View
$85
$85
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSAmazon AlexaAmazon
TOPICS
PS5 could finally be getting Gears of War and Halo after game-changing decisionThe age of exclusives is coming to an end
The age of exclusives is coming to an end
Samsung’s latest laptops changed my mind about AI – here’s whyThe Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
The Galaxy Book 5 Pro and Galaxy Book 5 360 are AI wunderkinds
Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scannerWithings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
LG’s latest smart lamp grows indoor plants and sets the mood – but you might not get oneLG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening
LG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening
Samsung announces new AI home screens for its smart fridges and laundry appliancesSamsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
Samsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
I’m a smart home expert – these are the best smart home releases from 202411 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest
11 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest
Homey launches affordable smart home hub for less than $200It’s available to preorder from today
It’s available to preorder from today
Hisense’s CES smart home launches have been revealed – and they’re about to make household chores a lot easierThere are five new products altogether
There are five new products altogether
New study reveals the huge security flaw that homeowners are overlooking in the winterYale experts reveal how safe your home is in the winter – and how to improve your security
Yale experts reveal how safe your home is in the winter – and how to improve your security
Skylight adds an AI ‘sidekick’ to its smart calendars and it can plan your weekly mealsSkylight’s new AI Sidekick plans your meals, sets chores and organises your calendar
Skylight’s new AI Sidekick plans your meals, sets chores and organises your calendar
