Table of Contents
This article will show you how to Change Alexa’s Name. Since the release of Amazon’s digital assistant Alexa in late 2014, that name has been uttered billions of times by millions of people, and each time it has been followed by a command such as “play ‘Africa’ by Toto” or “turn off the lights.” There are a lot of features that are exclusive to Amazon Alexa, which makes it a top-of-the-line voice assistant.
You are able to dim the lights in your home, adjust the temperature, monitor smart locks and other home security devices, listen to music, ask common questions, play games, and do a lot more when you use an Echo speaker or another device that is enabled with Alexa. Additionally, you can use Alexa Skills to easily follow your favourite sports team or learn how to mix a mean cocktail.
Both of these opportunities are available to you. On the other hand, if you are sick of having to shout at Alexa every time you want to hear “Africa” or have the temperature turned up, then you have a few different options available to you. You have the ability to change the “wake word” on your device to one of four different options, one of which is Alexa. Here are the simple ways how to Change Alexa’s Name.
How to Change Alexa’s Name
Using the Alexa App
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap on the “More” tab in the bottom right corner.
- Go to “Settings” > “Device Settings“.
- Select the Echo device you want to rename.
- Tap on the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Choose “Wake Word“.
- Select your new name from the available options (Alexa, Amazon, Computer, Echo, or Ziggy).
- Tap “OK” to confirm the change.
Using Your Voice
- Say “Alexa, change your wake word” or “Alexa, what are your wake words?“.
- Alexa will tell you the available wake words.
- Say “Alexa, wake me up at…” followed by your preferred new wake word and a specific time.
- Alexa will confirm the change and remember your new wake word.
Why Change Alexa’s Name?
- Personalization: Users may prefer a different name for their virtual assistant to make the interaction more personal or to suit their preferences.
- Avoid Confusion: Changing the wake word can help prevent confusion, especially in households with multiple Alexa-enabled devices. Different wake words can be assigned to different devices to avoid triggering multiple devices simultaneously.
- Privacy Concerns: Some users may have privacy concerns and may prefer a name other than “Alexa” to reduce the likelihood of accidental activations or invocations of the virtual assistant.
- Customization: Allowing users to change the wake word adds a level of customization to the user experience, giving individuals more control over how they interact with their devices.
- Accessibility: Certain users with specific accessibility needs may find it easier to use a different wake word that better suits their pronunciation or preferences.
Alexa Name Change and Privacy Considerations
- Voice Data: To make Alexa more useful, it processes and stores voice recordings. There is a setting in the Alexa app where you can listen to and delete your voice recordings. To protect your privacy, check and manage these recordings on a regular basis.
- Permissions for Skills: Be careful when enabling third-party skills because they might need certain permissions. Only allow skills that come from trustworthy sources, and make sure you understand the permissions they ask for.
- Phone calls and Drop-Ins: Check your privacy settings if you use Alexa for phone calls or Drop-Ins. Through the Alexa app, you can decide who can call you or Drop-In on your device.
- Setting up privacy: Check and change your Alexa app privacy settings often. You can change how much data you use, who can access your device, and other settings.
- Put the microphone on mute: Some Alexa devices have a button that you can press to do this. If you want the most privacy, you might want to turn off the microphone when you’re not using the voice assistant.
Conclusion
The Amazon Alexa platform serves as both a personal voice assistant and a platform for smart homes. However, the default identity of Alexa can occasionally cause problems, particularly if you have a member of your family with the same name or even if you mention the assistant in a casual conversation. You might also become exhausted by hearing the same voice over and over again. This is how you can change Alexa’s name and voice if any of the aforementioned statements are accurate.
Questions and Answers
Either through the Alexa app or by telling your device, “Alexa, change your wake word,” you have the ability to alter the wake word at any time by using either method. Open the Devices section of the Alexa app, then select Echo & Alexa, and finally choose the device you want to use. When you reach the bottom of the General section, select Wake Word. After selecting the wake word that you wish to use, click the OK button.
It was decided to use Ziggy as a wake word in order to contrast with Alexa and bring attention to the opposite end of the alphabet in order to imply that the voice assistant is a trustworthy source of information. If the user so desires, they can ask Alexa to alter either one of the features or both of them. Additionally, there are a few additional benefits that come along with using Ziggy as a wake word.
To change your voice, you need only go to the device and say “Alexa, change your voice.” As a response, Alexa will provide you with a selection of voices from which to select. Following the playing of an example, the device will inquire as to whether you would like to select that voice or try another voice. Once you have found one that you like, all you need to do is confirm your selection with Alexa, and you will be ready to go.