Do you have a single Alexa account and want to use it to control your smart devices in two homes? If so, you should know this is completely possible through the Alexa App.
Ideally, most people assume that creating another Alexa account and controlling the devices by switching between the accounts is the way to go. But this only makes the entire process complicated and expensive.
Key Points
- One of the many cool features of Amazon devices is that they can operate with the same Alexa account in two houses.
- To make this work, a few simple steps are needed.
- Primarily, you must connect your Alexa devices to your phone and link them to one Wi-Fi network.
- Both devices will typically work as a community now that they’re connected to the same Amazon account.
So, how can you set up 2 homes and 1 Alexa App/account? Here's how.
2 Homes and 1 Alexa App/Account: How to Make This Work
To use one Alexa account in two houses, all you have to do is connect your Alexa device from each home to the Alexa App on your phone. The only key thing to remember is to configure and give each device a unique name—it makes controlling them through the app easier. This way, when you give voice commands to Alexa, she accomplishes the task in the right location.
If you are confused about the concept, let’s break down the concept for you. Now, you have two separate Alexa devices; say, one is in your holiday home while the other is in your residential home. You will, of course, connect all the smart products in that particular house to its respective Alexa device.
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Here is where it gets interesting. When you connect your devices from the two houses with one account, you can control each with either of the devices. By this, we mean you can use the Alexa device in your residential home to control smart products in the holiday home and vice versa. Amusing, isn’t it? The concept is exciting, so let us get started on how to make this possible.
How to Set Up Two Homes on One Alexa App/Account
Are you still confused about setting up two homes to your one Amazon Alexa account? Don’t worry; keep reading as we give you the step-by-step guide.
1. Get the Alexa App and Pair Your Device
The steps remain the same whether you want to pair a single Amazon device or multiple. The first thing you want to do is to connect your device to a power outlet. Then, download the Alexa App on your phone and sign into your Amazon account.
After signing in, look at the bottom of the Alexa App to find a “Devices” icon. Click it and tap the “+” at the top right of the following page.
Now choose “Add Device” and then select Alexa from the list, which has different categories of devices.
From here, the app guides you with setup instructions through on-screen directions. During this process, ensure that you allow Bluetooth access and power on your device if required.
Note: The best thing about Alexa devices is how easy the setup process is. Usually, when you purchase an Alexa device through your account, Amazon automatically connects the device to your account when your order is through. The device is, therefore, delivered to you with your account already connected.
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2. Connect Your Alexa Device to Wi-Fi
When your first Alexa device is connected to your smartphone, you have to connect it to your Wi-Fi, or else it might not be able to connect to your other smart devices.
To connect the device to Wi-Fi, go to the devices list on the screen and select it. You will see a screen prompting you to confirm to connect your home’s Wi-Fi. Once confirmed, enter your password, select the language you prefer on the device and tap “Continue.”
After taking that step, you will get a pop-up indicating that the device has connected to your Wi-Fi successfully. Try submitting a request or asking a question to confirm if Alexa is responsive on your new device.
3. Connect the Device to Other Smart Products
Now is a good time to connect your Alexa device with other smart devices in your house. As we highlighted earlier, this process is straightforward.
Start by making sure your smart device is plugged in and switched on. Then, proceed to the Alexa App main screen. There, find the “+” symbol in the page's top right corner, and click “Device.”
You will see a page asking, “Which device would you like to set up?” Now select the type of device you want to set up on your Alexa and tap next.
The page that comes up next depends on the kind of device you are setting up. You'll be either prompted to download it for your device or to scan a unique barcode from its packaging and then set it up. The most important part is to follow the app's on-screen guidelines to finish setting up the device and add it to a specific group.
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As you add the devices, Alexa assigns unique names to each new device you add, which you can change to a more descriptive title later on. To do this, open the Devices screen, go to “All Devices,” and select the device you want to rename. Tap the cog button on the top right corner, select “Edit Name,” and type in the new name.
4. Add Your Devices to a Room
Now, your device is all paired, connected to Wi-Fi, and linked to other smart devices in your home. Since you’ll be using one Alexa account to control devices in two homes, creating rooms to distinguish the connected devices is better.
Rooms are a type of group, and you can set them up by opening your Alexa app, selecting “Devices,” and clicking on the “+” icon.
Now choose “Add Group” and “Create a room or device group.”
From there on, name the room or device group to complete the process. It is as simple as that.
While adding the devices, you can designate different locations for them. The app usually asks for the exact locations of the different devices to help with traffic and local weather.
5. Group Your Rooms Together
Another handy tip is that you can combine those rooms into groups. You may prefer creating a group called “Downstairs” and another called “Upstairs” to make giving commands quicker. Sure, you might consider setting up routines to achieve the same thing, but using the new ‘large areas’ feature is simpler.
Grouping the rooms is straightforward, following the same steps as setting up the device in rooms. Open Devices on the Alexa app, click the “+” icon, choose “Add Group,” and go to “Combine rooms or groups”.
At the combined rooms or groups screen, you can pick a name for the large area or customize the group name to your liking. Add the rooms you want to add into groups and go to “Next” to finish.
If everything looks good, repeat this process for your other Alexa device in the second home.
How Does It Work?
Okay, so you'll love what's coming next—Alexa lets you manage all the smart devices integrated into the app. You can control your other home's smart appliances too, just by giving voice commands from the house you are in.
Using Alexa to control different houses is as simple as controlling your smart devices in a single house. You can ask Alexa to close your smart curtains, share a security live feed, or turn on the lights without being in the vicinity. This can even create an illusion that you are home when in fact, you are not.
One more thing…
Here is why you can use the same Amazon account in two houses: Amazon has no restrictions on controlling smart devices through the Alexa App on your smartphone. You can have two Alexa devices on one Amazon account. You can have any number of Alexa-enabled devices in a single Amazon account.
While connecting and pairing one Alexa account to devices in two separate homes is easy, you may encounter compatibility problems. Not all devices will communicate with each other, depending on the age and type. Sill, connecting your Alexa devices should enhance your home’s overall experience.
2 Homes and 1 Alexa App/Account: Three Other Things You Should Know
Amazon’s Alexa has plenty of cool features to play with. If you plan to install your smart devices in two different homes and control them using one account, here are a few pointers you need to know.
1. Connectivity
The installation process for Amazon devices is pretty simple. You only have to connect the device to a power supply, configure it to your home’s Wi-Fi, and you are ready to go.
You can also connect your Alexa to other smart products to start controlling them with the voice command. On top of that, if you use a smart home hub, you can easily use the Alexa App to control all your Zigbee-compatible devices.
2. Reliability
The Amazon Alexa is very reliable in terms of performance. When using it, connectivity glitches or unresponsiveness are something you will rarely encounter.
Alexa comes with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but you’ll use Wi-Fi connectivity for the smart products. Also, Alexa is compatible with most of the products available in the market, including smart home hubs and smart home appliances. The device does not restrict you to connectivity options and is thus ideal for simultaneously controlling devices in two houses.
3. Performance
Alexa is smart enough to respond to your commands and complete tasks according to your schedule. It does not matter whether it’s across the room, next door, or in your other house.
Amazon built the devices using the “Echo Spatial Perception,” meaning the closest Alexa-enabled device should be the one to respond.
Previously, the Echo devices system could be confused when multiple devices tried to respond to a single command. However, with time, the system matured and no longer seems to have such problems. The Echo device closest to you will always respond!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Have Two Accounts on My Alexa App?
To do this, open your Alexa app and click the Menu. Next, click Account Settings, tap on Amazon Household, and select Start. Then, proceed with the on-screen instructions to link your other accounts.
How Do You Change Your Alexa Device Location?
If you’ve moved to another country, you can update your country settings by opening “Manage Your Content and Devices” from your Alexa app and logging in with your existing Amazon account. Next, open Preferences, select Country/Region Settings, and click Change. Then, update the country you are currently in and click “Update.”
How Many Alexa Devices Can You Have On One Account?
How Do I Link Two Amazon Accounts?
Bottom Line
Amazon Alexa can connect to multiple Amazon devices at a time, opening up many new possibilities—the reason why you can use the same Amazon account in two houses. The best part is that your smart devices are effortless to connect and operate.
But you might want to warm up to saying specific device names while addressing Alexa. Don’t worry; it no longer becomes an issue once you get some practice.
