What You Will Need

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Smartphone with the Alexa app installed
Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz or 5GHz)
Power adapter (included)
An Amazon account

Step 1: Unbox and Power On

Remove the Echo (4th Gen) from its packaging. The spherical design is a significant departure from earlier cylindrical models.
Place the device on a stable, flat surface. For best audio performance, keep it at least 6 inches from walls and corners.
Plug the included power adapter into the port on the back of the device and connect it to a wall outlet.
The light ring on the bottom of the sphere will pulse blue, then transition to an orange spinning pattern when the device is ready for setup.

Step 2: Begin Setup in the Alexa App

Open the Alexa app on your smartphone. Sign in with your Amazon account if you have not already.
The app should automatically detect your new Echo and display a setup banner. Tap it to start.
If no banner appears, tap Devices > + > Add Device > Amazon Echo > Echo (4th Gen).
The app will search for the device. When found, tap on it to proceed.

Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi

Your phone will temporarily connect to the Echo's setup network. Allow this when prompted.
Select your home Wi-Fi network from the list. The Echo (4th Gen) supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
Enter your Wi-Fi password and tap Connect.
The device will connect and check for software updates. If an update is available, it will download and install automatically. This may take several minutes.

Step 4: Configure the Built-In Smart Home Hub

The Echo (4th Gen) includes a built-in Zigbee hub and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio, allowing you to connect compatible smart home devices directly without a separate bridge.

To connect Zigbee devices such as Philips Hue bulbs, smart plugs, or sensors, put the device in pairing mode and say "Alexa, discover devices."
The Echo will scan for nearby Zigbee devices and add them to your Alexa account. You can then control them by voice or through the Alexa app.
For other smart home devices that connect via Wi-Fi or cloud, add them through Devices > + > Add Device in the Alexa app and follow the brand-specific instructions.

Step 5: Assign to a Room and Set Preferences

Assign the Echo to a room in the Alexa app so you can use room-specific commands like "Alexa, turn off the living room lights."
Set your default music service under Settings > Music & Podcasts > Default Services. Options include Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
Configure your news briefing under Settings > Flash Briefing to customize what you hear when you say "Alexa, what's the news?"
Set your preferred temperature unit (Fahrenheit or Celsius) under Device Settings > Location.

Step 6: Set Up Multi-Room Audio (Optional)

If you have multiple Echo devices, you can create a multi-room music group to play synchronized audio throughout your home.
In the Alexa app, go to Devices > + > Combine Speakers > Multi-Room Music.
Select the Echo devices you want in the group and give the group a name like "Everywhere" or "Downstairs."
Say "Alexa, play music everywhere" to start playback across all grouped devices.

Step 7: Explore the Built-In Temperature Sensor

The Echo (4th Gen) includes a room temperature sensor. Say "Alexa, what's the temperature in here?" to get a reading.
Use the temperature data in Alexa Routines to automate your home. For example, create a routine that turns on a fan when the room exceeds 78 degrees.
Go to More > Routines > + > When this happens > Smart Home > Temperature to set up a temperature-triggered routine.

Tips

The Echo (4th Gen) features a 3-inch woofer and dual tweeters with Dolby audio processing. It sounds best placed a few inches from a wall to take advantage of bass reflection.
Pair two Echo (4th Gen) units as a stereo pair in the Alexa app for true left-and-right stereo sound.
Use the 3.5mm audio output to connect the Echo to a larger speaker system or home stereo.
The built-in Zigbee hub means you can start using devices like Philips Hue bulbs without buying a separate Hue Bridge.

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