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What You Will Need

  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock
  • 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

  1. Remove the Echo Dot with Clock from its packaging along with the included power adapter.
  2. Place the device on a flat surface. The Echo Dot with Clock is ideal for a nightstand or desk, where the LED dot-matrix display on the front can serve as an always-visible clock.
  3. Plug the power adapter into the port on the back of the device and connect it to a wall outlet.
  4. The light ring on top will pulse blue, then change to an orange spinning pattern when the device is ready for setup.

Step 2: Start Setup in the Alexa App

  1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone and sign in with your Amazon account.
  2. The app should detect the new Echo Dot automatically and display a setup prompt. Tap Set Up Device.
  3. If no prompt appears, go to Devices > + > Add Device > Amazon Echo > Echo Dot with Clock.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your phone to the Echo Dot's temporary setup network.

Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Select your home Wi-Fi network from the list displayed in the Alexa app.
  2. Enter your Wi-Fi password and tap Connect.
  3. The Echo Dot supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. If you experience connectivity issues, try the 2.4GHz band, which provides better range through walls.
  4. Once connected, the light ring will briefly turn green and Alexa will confirm the setup is complete.

Step 4: Configure the LED Clock Display

The standout feature of this model is the enhanced LED dot-matrix display visible through the fabric on the front. It shows the time by default, but it can display much more.

  1. The clock will automatically set the correct time based on your time zone. Verify it in the Alexa app under Devices > Echo Dot with Clock > Settings > Time Zone.
  2. Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour formats in Settings > Clock Display.
  3. The display also shows outdoor temperature, active timers, alarm times, and the currently playing song title when applicable.
  4. Adjust the clock brightness by saying "Alexa, set the clock brightness to 5" (scale of 0 to 9), or enable adaptive brightness in the settings to have it adjust automatically based on room lighting.

Step 5: Tap Gestures

The Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock introduces tap-to-control gestures.

  1. Tap the top of the device to pause or resume music playback.
  2. Tap to snooze an alarm when it goes off in the morning.
  3. Tap to dismiss a timer when it finishes counting down.
  4. These gestures are enabled by default. To disable them, go to Settings > Device Settings > Tap Gestures in the Alexa app.

Step 6: Assign a Room and Customize

  1. Assign the Echo Dot to a room group such as Bedroom or Office so you can use room-specific voice commands.
  2. Choose a default music service under Settings > Music & Podcasts > Default Services.
  3. Set up Do Not Disturb on a schedule to mute notifications during sleeping hours. Go to Devices > Echo Dot > Do Not Disturb and toggle the schedule.

Step 7: Use as a Bedside Alarm Clock

  1. Say "Alexa, set an alarm for 7 AM" to create your first alarm. The alarm time will display on the LED screen.
  2. Say "Alexa, set a recurring alarm for 7 AM on weekdays" for a repeating schedule.
  3. Choose from a variety of alarm tones including celebrity voices, music, and nature sounds. Say "Alexa, set my alarm sound to sunrise."
  4. Say "Alexa, show me my alarms" to review all active alarms on the LED display.

Tips

  • The improved speaker in the 5th Gen Echo Dot delivers richer bass than previous generations. It works well for bedside music and podcasts.
  • Connect to a larger speaker via Bluetooth or the 3.5mm audio output for enhanced sound.
  • Use the Echo Dot as part of a stereo pair. Pair two Echo Dots in the Alexa app under Devices > + > Combine Speakers > Stereo Pair.
  • The built-in temperature sensor lets you create routines based on room temperature, such as turning on a fan when the room gets too warm.

Ready to get started?

Check out the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock and see where to buy.

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