Does Alexa Bluetooth work without Wi-Fi? – Answered!

Amazon has been turning tables with its new smart inventions in the digital world. The all-famous voice assistant Alexa has a variety of abilities ranging from streaming music to answering questions asked about any topic in a matter of moments! But do these abilities include Alexa Bluetooth working without Wi-Fi?

Yes, Alexa’s Bluetooth can work without Wi-Fi, but the first Bluetooth pairing between the devices needs internet connectivity. If you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can use your mobile’s hotspot for this.

Can Alexa work without Wi-Fi?

Yes, Alexa can be used as a Bluetooth speaker without connecting to Wi-Fi. However, it cannot be paired to a speaker device or connect to applications like music streaming services, Google, etc., without Wi-Fi. Initially, you will need internet connectivity to set it up. After that, you can continue using your Alexa Bluetooth without Wi-Fi as a regular Bluetooth speaker.

Whenever you search for something, it connects to the internet and retrieves the results from search engines like Google.

Your voice commands to Alexa are also transferred to the Amazon servers, where they are processed and return signals that will execute your commands. This is why most of the features in Amazon Alexa require a successful Wi-Fi connection, and without internet, it will only work like any other regular Bluetooth speaker with limited features.

What functions won’t work on Alexa without Wi-Fi?

Although Amazon Alexa can work without Wi-Fi, you would not be able to benefit from the complete set of benefits that it has to offer. Here is a list of Alexa functions that won’t work without Wi-Fi:

• Answering your questions that require an active connection to the cloud servers.
• Live music streaming.
• Third-party functions, such as ordering food from McDonald’s.
• Shopping online using voice assistance.
• Making announcements to other smart devices.
• Messages and calls over Wi-Fi, such as FaceTime or WhatsApp calls.
• Giving updates on news.

What can Alexa do without the internet or Wi-Fi?

So, we already know a set of functions that Amazon Alexa cannot perform without Wi-Fi, but what will it be able to do without the internet connection then?

Here is what your Alexa can do without Wi-Fi:

• Set reminders.
• Set alarms.
• Function as a regular Bluetooth speaker.
• Adjust the speaker volume prompted by voice commands.
• Make calls to other Amazon Echo devices through a landline telephone using Echo Connect.

Why does Amazon Alexa need Wi-Fi?

Amazon Alexa devices, such as Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, rely on good Wi-Fi connectivity for most of their functions. This is because Alexa requires active access to the Natural Language Processing (NLP) to enable the artificial intelligence technology in the device. This helps it interpret the human language and carry out its functions.

Without Wi-Fi, Alexa can’t connect to Google, stream music, get the news, or connect to radio stations. Therefore, to get the value for money, you need internet access for Alexa.

If you do not have access to an active Wi-Fi connection, you can also connect your Amazon Alexa to a mobile data network using your smartphone’s personal hotspot. Your Alexa can then piggyback the connection on your phone’s mobile data.

How to connect Alexa to Bluetooth without Wi-Fi?

You can use Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker without Wi-Fi. However, you would first have to establish the pairing between the devices in the presence of an internet connection. If you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can pair the devices using a mobile hotspot too. Here are two methods to show you how:

Connecting Alexa to Bluetooth using the Alexa device

You can pair Alexa with your smartphone while both the devices are connected to your smartphone’s hotspot. Follow the steps below to do so:

Part 1: Setting up

1. Enable your smartphone’s hotspot.
2. Plug your Echo into a power source.
3. Open your Alexa app and sign in with your Amazon account if you haven’t already.
4. Tap More, then choose Add Device.
5. Select Amazon Echo and the model you have.
6. When your Echo starts blinking orange, it means that it is in setup mode.
7. Permit access to the location.
8. Choose your smartphone’s hotspot when prompted for Wi-Fi.

Part 2: Pairing the devices

1. Turn the Bluetooth in your smartphone on.
2. Say “Alexa, connect to Bluetooth” or “Alexa, pair”.
3. You will get a response of “Searching” from Alexa.
4. Select your Echo when pairing on your smartphone.
5. When Alexa says, “Playing from (your phone name)”, the pairing is complete.

This will pair your selected Echo device to your smartphone/tablet. Once paired, you can use your Alexa without Wi-Fi.

Connecting Alexa to Bluetooth using the Alexa app

You can also do this using the Amazon application. Here’s how you can use Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker without Wi-Fi using the Amazon Alexa app:

1. Turn your smartphone’s Bluetooth on.
2. Launch the Alexa app.
3. Go to Devices.
4. Choose Echo & Alexa.
5. Select your Echo device.
6. Then, select Bluetooth Devices.
7. Finally, choose Pair A New Device.

Note: Once paired using either of the two methods mentioned above, you won’t need Wi-Fi in the future to connect to these devices via Bluetooth.

Related FAQs to does Alexa Bluetooth work without Wi-Fi!

Does the Alexa alarm work without Wi-Fi?

Yes, the Alexa alarm will work perfectly even without Wi-Fi. However, a successful Wi-Fi connection is required to set up the alarms initially.

Can Amazon Echo be used without Wi-Fi?

Yes, Amazon Echo can be used without Wi-Fi, but it will only function as a regular Bluetooth speaker without its added features i.e., music streaming, cloud services, etc.

Does Echo Dot need Wi-Fi to play music?

No, Echo Dot does not need Wi-Fi to play music from your smartphone. However, the initial Bluetooth pairing between Echo Dot and your smartphone will need internet connectivity.

Can Alexa work on mobile data?

Yes, Alexa can work on mobile data. It just needs a stable internet connection regardless of whether it is from the Wi-Fi or the mobile hotspot.

Can Alexa work without power?

No, the Alexa voice assistant would not work without power.

Final thoughts on whether Alexa Bluetooth works without Wi-Fi!

Even though you can use the Amazon Alexa without Wi-Fi, this will limit most of its features, and you will have to reconnect your Echo to the Wi-Fi every time you want to pair up a new device through Bluetooth.

To enjoy all the extensive features and functions of your Amazon Alexa, I suggest you use it with Wi-Fi. Using it only as a Bluetooth speaker would kill its purpose!