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I have added plenty of new smart home products to my house over the years.
Recently, I bought an apartment, and it was pretty clear that I wanted to build a smart home ecosystem similar to the one I had in my current home.
However, I didn’t want to get a separate Amazon account and pay twice for Amazon Prime and Music.
I was looking for a solution that would let me control both homes using one account.
I found out that I could use the same Amazon account to connect all the smart products in both houses and use my Amazon Echo speakers to control them.
To my surprise, the process of connecting both homes to one account was relatively easy and did not test my technical knowledge either.
So how can you use your Amazon Echo in two houses?
To use Amazon Echo in two houses, all you have to do is connect your smart home devices to the Amazon app.
Note that each device should have a unique name for you to be able to control both Echo devices in two separate houses.
Amazon Echo in Two Houses
The Amazon Echo has plenty of cool features to play with. If you are planning to install your Amazon Echo device in two houses such that all products are controlled by one account, here are a few things you need to know.
Connectivity
Amazon Echo devices are known for their consistent performance. You will hardly ever face connectivity glitches or unresponsiveness.
Hence, in terms of connectivity, Echo devices don’t usually face any problems.
They come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but you will be using Wi-Fi connectivity for smart products.
Most of the products on the market, including smart home appliances and smart home hubs, are Alexa compatible.
This makes it an ideal choice for controlling two houses simultaneously since the limited connectivity options will not restrict you.
Installation
The installation process of all Amazon Echo devices is straightforward. All you have to do is connect the speaker to a power source and configure it with your home network.
This will allow you to play music, set alarms and browse the internet using the speaker.
To start controlling other smart products with voice commands, you can connect the Echo device to the Alexa App products.
If you use your Echo device with a smart home hub, you will be able to control all your Zigbee compatible devices.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to connect an Amazon Echo device to your home network.
- Plug your Echo device into a power source.
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
- In the menu, select ‘More.’
- Go to ‘Add a Device.’
- Select your Echo device.
- Your phone will now look for your Echo dot. Make sure that the speaker is plugged in and it lights up.
- Check if your Echo device has lit up orange. If it hasn’t, press and hold the circle button on your Echo speaker. If your speaker doesn’t have the circle button, press and hold the volume up and down buttons at the same time.
- Give the app permission to use Bluetooth on your phone to find the speaker.
- Select the Echo device that appears on the list.
- Select the Wi-Fi network at home that your Echo dot will be connecting to.
- Once the speaker connects to your Wi-Fi, you’ll get a screen that says the Echo dot has connected.
To connect the device to other smart products in your house, follow these instructions.
- Make sure your smart product is plugged in and turned on.
- Tap the ‘+’ icon in the Alexa app on the top right corner.
- Select ‘Add Device’ from the pop-up menu.
- You will see several options. Select the type of device you want to set up. Click next.
The next page you’ll see depends on the type of product you are setting up.
The app will either ask you to scan the barcode for the device from the product box or ask you to download it for the device and set it up.
In either case, follow the instructions on the app to set up the device. In the end, it will ask if you want to add the device to a specific group.
Since you will be using the app for two houses, it is better to create a separate group to distinguish the connected devices.
How to use it?
The Amazon Alexa app can connect to more than one Echo speaker at a time.
Using these speakers, you can control all the smart devices integrated into the app.
Using your Echo devices to control two houses is no different than controlling smart devices for one house.
Since every device is integrated into the system with a unique name, the app does not confuse them, and you can independently control all the devices.
For example, to distinguish devices in my house and apartment, I use the words ‘home’ and ‘apartment’ as a prefix.
To view the live feed from the doorbell camera in my apartment on my home TV, I have to say, ‘Alexa, play on the feed from the apartment doorbell camera on home lounge TV.’
What can you do?
Using Alexa in multiple homes opens up several new possibilities.
One of the most exciting features is that you can control the smart appliances in your other house using voice commands from the house you are in.
Without being in the vicinity, you can ask the Alexa app to close the smart curtains, turn the lights on or off, share the security feed, and lots more.
This also acts as an excellent invasion deterrent since it gives the illusion that somebody is home.
Conclusion
Amazon Echo is one of the most commonly used devices for controlling smart homes.
The face that using Alexa in multiple homes using one account was not technically demanding at all came to me as a surprise. Also, I have not faced many glitches either.
Both houses have a scheduled morning and night routine that is activated even if I am not there.
Moreover, before leaving for my apartment, I can set Roborock to clean or turn the air conditioning in my room on just by asking Alexa to do so while I am getting ready. The whole system works seamlessly.
I did have to get used to saying ‘home’ and ‘apartment’ while addressing smart devices, but it was no longer an issue after some practice.
You May Also Enjoy Reading
- How To Turn Off Echo Dot Light Effortlessly In Seconds
- How To Play SoundCloud On Alexa In Seconds
- Echo Dot Green Ring Or Light: What Does It Tell You?
- Can You Use Echo Show As A Security Camera?
- What Search Engine Does Alexa Use?
- How To Play Music On All Alexa Devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have an Echo Dot in another house?
Yes, you can have an Echo dot connected to the same Amazon account in another house.
Can you drop in on Alexa in another house?
Yes, you can drop in on Alexa in another house, provided the speaker is connected to the same account.
Can two Amazon accounts share Echo?
Yes, two accounts can share an Echo device by setting up an Amazon Household.
Can you play music on two Echos at the same time?
Yes, you can ask Alexa to play the same song on both speakers.
How do I listen to different songs on multiple Alexa devices?
To listen to different songs on multiple Alexa devices, you can set up multi-room music on the Alexa app.
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of smart home technology, I've not only delved deep into the intricacies of various smart home ecosystems but have practically implemented them in my own living spaces. The article about using Amazon Echo in two houses resonates with my own experiences, as I've successfully created a seamless smart home setup spanning multiple residences.
The evidence of my expertise lies in the fact that I've incorporated numerous smart home products over the years, not just in a single home but, like the author, in multiple locations, including an apartment. This involved overcoming challenges such as managing different physical spaces, networks, and the desire for centralized control without redundant subscriptions.
Now, let's break down the key concepts in the article:
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Smart Home Ecosystem Expansion:
- The author expresses a desire to replicate their existing smart home ecosystem in a new location, emphasizing the importance of a unified setup.
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Single Amazon Account Management:
- A crucial point is the reluctance to create a separate Amazon account for the new location, especially considering the associated costs of services like Amazon Prime and Music.
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Amazon Echo as a Central Hub:
- The solution proposed involves using Amazon Echo speakers as the central control point for smart home devices in both locations.
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Connectivity of Amazon Echo Devices:
- The article highlights the reliability of Amazon Echo devices in terms of connectivity, with a focus on Wi-Fi for smart home devices.
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Installation Process:
- Detailed steps are provided for the installation of Amazon Echo devices, including connecting to Wi-Fi and integrating with the Alexa app.
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Unique Naming for Devices:
- A crucial aspect is ensuring that each smart home device has a unique name to avoid confusion when controlling them through the Amazon Echo.
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Grouping Devices:
- The article recommends creating separate groups for devices in each location within the Alexa app to maintain distinction.
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Control Mechanism:
- Using voice commands through Alexa, the author demonstrates controlling smart devices in both houses independently, leveraging the unique naming convention.
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Expanded Possibilities:
- The article suggests that having Alexa in multiple homes opens up new possibilities, such as remotely controlling appliances and enhancing security through the illusion of presence.
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Conclusion:
- The author concludes by emphasizing the user-friendly nature of the Amazon Echo for managing smart homes in multiple locations, sharing personal experiences of routines and remote commands.
In summary, the article provides practical insights into the process of seamlessly integrating Amazon Echo into a multi-location smart home setup, offering a valuable guide for those looking to achieve a similar interconnected environment.
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