What you need
Make sure your Echo Dot is plugged in, powered on, and connected to WiFi, and have the Melodial app or web player open on your phone. This works with every Echo Dot generation, 2nd through 5th gen.
The quickest method
Say "Alexa, pair" to your Echo Dot. Alexa responds with "Searching for devices to pair with" and the light ring turns blue, which means it is in pairing mode.
Pairing mode only lasts a couple of minutes. If your Echo Dot does not appear in your phone Bluetooth list, say "Alexa, pair" again, or hold the Action button for about 15 seconds to switch pairing mode on manually.
iPhone or iPad, method 1: voice command
Next time, just say "Alexa, connect" or "Alexa, pair Bluetooth" to reconnect, or turn on Bluetooth and some models reconnect automatically.
iPhone or iPad, method 2: the Alexa app
Android, method 1: voice command
Next time, just say "Alexa, connect" to reconnect, or turn on Bluetooth and some models reconnect automatically.
Android, method 2: the Alexa app
Troubleshooting
My phone cannot find the Echo Dot
Make sure the Echo Dot is in pairing mode (blue light spinning) and try again. Pairing mode only lasts about 2 to 3 minutes, so say "Alexa, pair" again if it times out. Make sure your phone Bluetooth is on and you are within 10 metres, and try turning your phone Bluetooth off and on.
Alexa says it cannot find any devices
Check Bluetooth is on and your phone is discoverable. On Android, some phones need you to tap Pair new device to become visible. On iPhone, having Bluetooth on is usually enough.
Connected but no sound
Say "Alexa, volume 5" to set the volume to 50 percent, and make sure Melodial is actually playing. On iPhone, check that audio output is set to the Echo Dot: open Control Centre, long-press the music widget, and tap the AirPlay icon.
Music keeps cutting out
Bluetooth range is about 10 metres, so keep your phone within range. If your WiFi is weak the Melodial stream itself may be buffering, so try moving closer to your router, and close other apps using Bluetooth or heavy data.
Disconnecting
Say "Alexa, disconnect Bluetooth" or turn off Bluetooth on your phone. To remove the pairing for good, open the Alexa app, go to Devices, your Echo Dot, Bluetooth Devices, and tap Forget next to your phone.
Can I connect multiple Echo Dots to the same phone?
Your phone can only be connected to one Echo Dot at a time over Bluetooth, but you can pair it with several and switch between them by disconnecting from one and connecting to another.
Useful voice commands
| Brand | How to enter pairing mode |
|---|---|
| "Alexa, pair" | Puts the Echo Dot in Bluetooth pairing mode |
| "Alexa, connect" | Reconnects to a previously paired device |
| "Alexa, disconnect Bluetooth" | Disconnects the current Bluetooth device |
| "Alexa, volume 5" | Sets the volume to 50 percent (range 1 to 10) |
| "Alexa, volume up" | Increases the volume |
| "Alexa, volume down" | Decreases the volume |
| "Alexa, stop" | Stops playback |
For the best experience, leave your phone connected and let Melodial play continuously. It stays connected as long as your phone is within Bluetooth range, and pauses automatically if you take a call.