The virtual AI (Artificial Intelligence) assistant Alexa has made our lives very comfortable. With the ability to use various gadgets and services with just our voice, the convenience created by this device is as large and wide as the range of functions it provides. From sports highlights to news to the weather, everything we could possibly want is just a shout away. One of these being, of course, music as Alexa can play music from various streaming services. Soundcloud, however, is one of the few streaming services that don’t work with Alexa. So, not only is it not possible to use voice commands to play music from Soundcloud but it’s impossible to integrate it into your Echo device directly as well. But, do not fear, there are some ways to play Soundcloud on Alexa.
The process is as follows:
Step 1: Connect the Bluetooth from your phone, tablet or computer to the Echo device
Step 2: Open the Soundcloud app on your phone/computer
Step 3: Play your music and Alexa will play it from your Echo Device
How to Connect with Alexa via Your Phone’s Bluetooth?
As stated above, Soundcloud is one of the few streaming services that cannot be integrated to Alexa. But, you can still play it on Alexa through the Echo Device. Through Bluetooth you can connect your phone with your Echo device and play Soundcloud manually. You can connect your phone to Alexa in two ways. You can do it either through voice command or through the Alexa app. The following steps are for voice command:
Step 1: Turn on your Echo device
Step 2: Say the command “Alexa, pair.” This will make the echo device go into pairing mode.
Step 3: Go to your phone’s settings
Step 4: Turn your phone’s Bluetooth on
Step 5: Find your Echo device on the list of nearby available devices
Step 6: Click on the name of your Echo device to be connected
Step 7: Now, you can easily play music through Soundcloud on your phone and Alexa will play it via the Echo device
Another option is to use Alexa app to connect your phone and the Alexa device via Bluetooth. Follow these steps to connect to Alexa through the app:
Step 1: Open the Alexa app
Step 2: Go to devices
Step 3: Click on Echo & Alexa
Step 4: Click on the name of your Alexa device
Step 5: Open the settings page
Step 6: Select “Pair Alexa Gadget”
Step 7: Go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings
Step 8: Turn on your Bluetooth and find your Alexa device
Step 9: Pair with your Alexa device and wait for the confirmation.
Step 10: After receiving the confirmation you can play Soundcloud
How to Connect with Alexa via Your Computer/Laptop’s Bluetooth?
Your phone isn’t the only way to connect with Alexa. If your phone’s battery is down or you simply prefer to use your laptop, you can pair with Alexa using the following steps:
Step 1: Turn on your computer’s Bluetooth.
Step 2: Go to alexa.amazon.com.
Step 3: Log into your Amazon account
Step 4: Go into settings and click on your Echo device.
Step 5: Click on pair a new device
Step 6: Choose your computer from the list of available devices.
Step 7: Your computer will notify you asking for permission. Once done, you will be connected to Alexa and you can use Soundcloud as you please.
In both of these instances, pairing is only required the first time. Once you have paired your device with Alexa, you can simply command Alexa to connect with whatever device you choose and play Soundcloud or any other app of your choosing. In order to do so simply command Alexa by saying “Alexa, pair with (device name).” However, if at any point in time you have unpaired your device with Alexa then the whole process will need to be repeated.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What music streaming services can be integrated to Alexa?
When you get Alexa, it comes with Amazon Music. Besides this you can link most of the prominent music streaming services with Alexa including, but not limited to, Apple Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify, Tidal, etc. Provided you have an account on each of these music streaming services each are accessible and able to use in Alexa
2) Why should I use Soundcloud instead of other music streaming services?
Soundcloud offers a huge selection of music for basically free. You can listen to and upload your own music for no cost at all. No other streaming service has as many features in its free version. However, if you want the advanced features such as listening offline then Soundcloud Go is still cheaper than most music streaming services at $4.99 a month.
