How to send a text message from an Alexa/Echo device

People use Alexa and Echo for a variety of purposes, and one of the most useful features of these devices is the ability to use them to send text messages. Previously, devices could only send text messages to your contacts who had Alexa on their smartphone. Today, you can send messages to virtually any mobile phone on the planet.

In this article, we will give you a detailed guide on how to send text messages using Alexa and Echo.

How to send a text message from Alexa or an Echo device

Text messaging through Alexa and Echo is only available for Android users. But before you can start texting, you’ll first need to enable SMS in your Alexa app.

Set up SMS with Alexa

Activating SMS functions with Alexa is relatively simple:

1. Launch Alexa on your Android smartphone.
   
2. Press the voice symbol at the bottom of the screen to access the Communicate section.
   
3. Press the message symbol.
   
4. The app may ask you for permission to use your contact list. Grant access and Alexa will give you a list of people in your smartphone’s directory available to send messages to.
   
5. Verify your phone number and now you can start sending text messages.

Send text messages with Alexa

Once you’ve signed up and allowed Alexa to access your contacts, you can use Echo to send a text message:

1. Tell Alexa to send a message.
2. Alexa will now ask you for the recipient’s name. Choose one of the contacts listed in your Alexa app.
3. Alexa will then ask you to enter the text of your message.
4. Dictate the text and Alexa will send it.

You can also use a faster method:

1. Say: “Alexa, send a message to (contact name).”
2. Alexa will ask you for the text of the message.
3. Enter the text and the message will be sent.

Here’s how to use the Alexa app to send your message:

1. Launch your Alexa app.
   
2. Tap the voice symbol in the bottom section of the screen.
   
3. Choose “New Conversation” in the top right corner of your screen.
   
4. Tap the contact you want to send a message to.
   
5. Press and hold the microphone symbol and say your message or press the keyboard icon to type it.
   
6. Once you’re done dictating or typing, Alexa will send your message.
   

Android users can also send an SMS message in the US with Echo:

1. Access Alexa and tap the speech bubble.
2. Choose Contacts, followed by “My Profile.”
3. Change the Send SMS function to “On”.
4. Talk to Echo and tell Alexa to send a message to someone in your contact list.
5. Alexa will ask you to dictate your message.
6. After indicating your message, the SMS will be sent.

However, please note that this form of communication is subject to operator charges. Additionally, text messages to emergency services, group messages, and multimedia messages are not supported.

Sending SMS messages to people outside your contact list is also an option:

1. Command Alexa to send a message to a specific phone number.
2. Dictate the message and Alexa will transmit it.

Again, you can only send SMS messages from an Android phone. iPhone does not support this feature as Apple does not allow third parties to access its API.

If you want to prevent Alexa from notifying you about messages and calls, you can use the Do Not Disturb option. All you need to do is tell Alexa not to bother you.

Alternatively, you can schedule Do Not Disturb:

1. Access Settings.
2. Find the “All devices” option.
3. Press “Select your device.”
4. Select “Do not disturb.”
5. Press “Scheduled.”

Troubleshooting Alexa and Echo Messages

While using Alexa and Echo to send text messages generally works great, it’s prone to all kinds of errors:

Messaging no longer works on echo input

Sometimes you may receive an incoming response stating that messaging is no longer supported on your device. Unplugging the input and restarting the device is the quickest solution. If that doesn’t work, try the following method:

1. Launch Alexa and go to the “Devices” section.
2. Choose the “Select your echo input” option.
3. Select “Communication”.
4. Disable the “Calls and messages” function.
5. Unplug the Echo input and plug the device back in.
6. Return to the Alexa app and turn on the “Calls & Messages” option.

Problems setting up your device

Another common problem is the inability to set up your Echo device. One of the most common possible culprits is that the system may not be running the latest version. Luckily, this is a quick fix:

1. Launch your Alexa app on a mobile device or the website.
2. Hover over the main menu and select “Settings.”
3. Choose your device and navigate to the “About” section.
4. In this tab, compare your device software with the latest version.
5. If the system needs an update, confirm that Echo is turned on and connected to a Wi-Fi network with a simple command. For example, you can ask the device to tell you the time.
6. Find the mute key, marked by a circle or microphone. Press and release the button and an LED light will indicate that mute is on.
7. Wait a few minutes (up to half an hour). Alexa will tell you that it needs to update the system and start the installation.
8. Once the process is complete, your device will automatically reboot without muting and with the latest updates.

Alternatively, you can reset your Echo with Alexa on your Android smartphone:

1. Open Alexa and navigate to the “Devices” section.
2. Choose the “Echo and Alexa” option at the top of the screen.
3. Select the speaker to reset.
4. Find and press the “Factory Reset” option.
5. Confirm your decision.

You can also reset the device manually. Here’s what you should do, depending on your Echo:

1. First-generation Echo devices must be reset with a paper clip or similar item. Use it to press and hold the Reset button. Wait for the ring to turn off and on.
2. Reset your Echo Dot 2nd generation by pressing and holding the volume down and microphone off buttons simultaneously. Wait for the light ring to turn orange, which takes about 20 seconds.
3. To reset an Echo Dot with clock, a third-generation or fourth-generation Echo Dot speaker, press and hold the action button for about 25 seconds. You can find it in the right section of the top panel.

Additional FAQs

Below you will find more useful information about messaging on Alexa.

How do I receive text messages on Alexa?

When it comes to receiving text messages through the Alexa app, you’ll need to make sure notifications are enabled:

1. Start Alexa.

2. Press the three horizontal lines and tap the “Settings” button.

3. Select “Notifications”.

4. Turn on notifications.

With notifications enabled, your phone will show them whenever you receive messages through Alexa. Here’s what you can do after receiving:

1. Tap the message or view it through your Alexa app.

2. Press the “Play” symbol to hear the message out loud.

Echo contacts receive notifications about your messages on both Alexa and your device. People who only own Alexa and are signed up for Alexa-to-Alexa messages and calls will receive their message notifications through the app.

You can also receive messages from other Alexa contacts. In this case, the yellow ring will flash informing you of reception. The next step is to play the message:

1. To listen to your text message, say: “Alexa, play the message.”

2. The app will tell you the recipient’s name and ask if you want to listen to the message.

3. Say: “Yes” and the app will play your message.

Alexa also allows you to reply to existing messages:

1. Find the message you want to reply to on your screen.

2. Press and hold the microphone symbol and say your answer.

Communicate seamlessly with Alexa and Echo

In addition to making high-quality voice and video calls, Alexa and Echo also offer a quick way to send messages. Simply refer to the steps above and any confusion around the process should disappear. Whether you prefer to dictate or type your text, using Alexa and Echo will make the task much easier.