Can You Use Alexa with an iPhone?

For all of the Apple users that just can’t get enough of Amazon’s voice assistant, you might be wondering whether it’s possible to use Alexa with an iPhone?

Yes, you can use Alexa with an iPhone by installing the Alexa app. This will allow you to access the same commands as an Echo speaker such as playing music, communicating, and controlling smart home devices. However, you cannot replace Siri with Alexa as the default assistant so you will always need to open the app first.

Keep reading to find out more about the things you can and can’t do with Alexa on an iPhone and some helpful hints for getting the most out of both assistants.

Can Alexa Replace Siri on an iPhone?

No, Alexa cannot replace Siri on an iPhone because Apple do not allow you to change the default voice assistant. However, installing the Alexa app can enhance the functionality of your iPhone’s voice control as many people would consider the Alexa ecosystem to be superior to Siri.

The downsides to using Alexa on iPhone is that you must always open the Alexa app before issuing commands which takes away much of the convenience of a voice assistant.

You also won’t be able to control any of the iPhone settings with Alexa as you can with Siri. Therefore, you wouldn’t be able to control your iPhone’s volume, adjust the brightness, turn on do not disturb, etc.

Aside from these downsides, the Alexa app is able to do almost anything that an Amazon Alexa device can do. This means that from the Alexa app you can control your Amazon account, ask Alexa questions, control smart devices connected to your Amazon account, etc.

How Do I Download and Install the Amazon Alexa App on My iPhone?

The Alexa app is available in the Apple App Store. You can get to the app here or simply searching for the app using the search bar in the app store.

Once you are on the apps page in the app store, select “get” and a blue circle will appear giving you the download status.

Once the Alexa app has finished downloading the blue circle will disappear and be replaced by an “open” button. Select that button and the Alexa app will open on your phone.

How Do I Connect Alexa with My iPhone?

When the Alexa app opens for the first time, take the following steps to link the Alexa app on your iPhone to your existing Amazon account:

Allow the Alexa app to access Bluetooth.
Sign in using your existing Amazon credentials or create a new log-in if you don’t already have one.
Confirm the name that is linked with your account. This is how Alexa will refer to you.
Allow Alexa to have access to your contacts if you want to use the app to text and call.
You’ll be taken to the home screen. Select “tap to talk” to set up the voice controls.
Turn on Alexa on the go to summon Alexa with your voice.
Select “Ok” to allow the Alexa app to access your microphone.
If you want to take advantage of Alexa’s location features, select “allow while using the app.”
Test Alexa’s voice features by asking Alexa a question.

How Do I Take Advantage of Alexa’s Features?

While most of Alexa’s features are controllable via voice control, there are a few key tabs that you should make the most of in the Alexa app. These tabs allow you to communicate, play a variety of different types of media, manage your devices, and even text Alexa.

The communicate tab at the bottom of the app allows you to communicate with others and even through your other Alexa-enabled devices. Through this tab, you can call anyone on your contacts list, make an in-home announcement through all echo devices and even send photos to compatible Echo devices.
The play tabat the bottom of the app allows you to access all of the audio media that you would access on an Alexa device. This includes Kindle audiobooks and music streaming services.
The devices tabat the bottom of the Alexa app initially only shows you your Alexa-compatible devices. However, if you select to see all devices you can manage your other Amazon devices and other third-party devices like smart home hardware.

How Do I Add the Alexa Widget to My Home Screen?

One of the easiest ways to use the Alexa app on the iPhone is by creating a widget. This allows you to ask Alexa a question using the push of a button. You can create the widget by taking the following steps:

Scroll to the first page of your home screen
Select and hold one of the widgets
Tap the edit home screen button
Tap the + button in the upper left corner of the screen
Scroll until you see the Amazon Alexa app and select add widget

You can rearrange the widget on your home screen by holding the widget and then moving it to the preferred location.

Can I Use Alexa to Control HomeKit Devices?

No, HomeKit and Alexa are not directly compatible with each other so you will not be able to control HomeKit automations or scenes using Alexa.

However, there is a workaround for this as most HomeKit devices work with multiple voice assistants including Alexa. It is usually possible to add the same devices to both your Alexa and HomeKit ecosystem so you can control them with either voice assistant. To do this, just follow the set-up process for each platform.

The downside to this is that you have to set up every device twice and you’ll also need to recreate your automations (known as routines with Alexa) so that they work with both assistants.

Overall, it’s best that you choose one voice assistant for all your devices and stick to this. Whilst Alexa has the broadest range of compatible devices, if you regularly use your iPhone for voice commands then HomeKit might be a better option.

Which is Better: Siri or Alexa?

Overall, most people will agree that Alexa is the better voice assistant right now due to a large range of compatible smart devices for creating a true smart home. This is largely because Apple requires specific chips to be used in devices that work with HomeKit. If you’re starting a smart home from scratch, then Alexa is a better choice.

However, if you are already bought-in to Apple’s ecosystem with iPhones, iPads, Apple Music, iCloud, HomePods, etc, then you will find many advantages to sticking with this ecosystem going forward such as being able to issues voice commands on your phone and making use of Airplay and iCloud for media and security.