Alexa Echo Dot is an exceptional device for enjoying music just by giving voice commands. With just a few words, you can play your favorite music without requiring physical access to the device. However, one of the most frustrating experiences with Alexa Echo Dot is trying to play YouTube music. Although playing music from streaming services like Spotify is seamless, playing music from YouTube is not supported by default. Fortunately, there are several methods to play YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot, and this blog post will guide you through the process step-by-step.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Playing Youtube Music on Alexa Echo Dot
Playing YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot is not supported by default because Amazon and Google are not the best of friends. They have their respective Amazon Music and YouTube Music services, and they are not interested in promoting each other. The closest you can get to playing YouTube music on Alexa is via Bluetooth connecting your phone or tablet to Alexa. However, this method has its limitations. You need to be in proximity to Alexa, and you can’t control the music by voice. In this blog post, we will explore three methods of playing YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot without using Bluetooth.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, let’s get the things you need for this to work:
- An Alexa Echo Dot
- A smartphone/tablet/laptop
- An Amazon account
- A YouTube account or YouTube Music subscription
- The latest version of Alexa app for Android/iOS
- The latest version of Amazon Music app for Android/iOS
Method 1: Via Bluetooth with the Amazon Music App
Although this method uses Bluetooth, it doesn’t use your phone or tablet to stream YouTube music. Instead, it uses the Amazon Music app to play YouTube music. Here’s how to do it:
1. Connect your phone or tablet to Alexa Echo Dot via Bluetooth.
2. Launch the Amazon Music app and set it as the default music service for Alexa if you haven’t already.
3. Search for the YouTube song that you want to play on Amazon Music, and then add it to a playlist.
4. Ask Alexa to play the playlist on your Echo Dot.
5. Once Alexa starts playing the songs, you can use voice commands to skip or pause the song.
Pros:
- You can enjoy YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot without needing to be close to the device.
- You can use voice commands to control the music without needing to physically access the device.
- Amazon Music has a vast library of music including YouTube videos.
Cons:
- You need to have an Amazon Music subscription or a Prime account to use this method.
- You need to have a smartphone/tablet to play YouTube music on Amazon Music.
Method 2: Using the app “YouTube on Alexa“
YouTube on Alexa is a simple app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet to stream YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot. Although it requires a bit of setup, it works seamlessly once correctly configured. Here’s how to do it:
1. Download and install the app "YouTube on Alexa" from the App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Sign in to your YouTube account within the app.
3. Connect your Alexa Echo Dot to the same Wi-Fi network as your smartphone or tablet.
4. Open the Alexa app and click on the "Skills and Games" option from the menu.
5. Search for the "YouTube on Alexa" skill and enable it.
6. Link your YouTube account with Alexa by following the prompts on the app.
7. Ask Alexa to play a YouTube video or song and specify "on YouTube on Alexa" at the end of your command.
Pros:
- It’s a one-time setup that is effortless once installed.
- You can use hands-free voice commands to play YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot.
Cons:
- The app "YouTube on Alexa" is not a native Alexa skill and requires additional configuration steps.
- Your smartphone/tablet needs to be on to play YouTube music on Alexa.
- The app "YouTube on Alexa" only plays audio, so you won’t get the visuals of the video.
Method 3: Using the browser on Echo Dot
This method involves using the web browser of Echo Dot to play YouTube music. To do this, you need to follow these steps:
1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet and navigate to the "Skills and Games" menu.
2. Search for the "Browser for Echo" skill and enable it.
3. Open the Amazon Alexa app and navigate to the "Settings" menu.
4. Scroll down to the "Web Browser" section and select "Amazon Silk."
5. Say “Alexa, open the browser” to open the browser on Echo Dot.
6. Open the YouTube website and sign in to your account.
7. Find the song or playlist that you want to play and click on the play button.
Pros:
- You don’t need to install any app on your smartphone or tablet.
- You can play YouTube music without any third-party app or service.
Cons:
- You need a minimum of two devices, Echo Dot, and a smartphone/tablet to play YouTube music.
- The user interface of the web browser on Echo Dot is not optimized for playing music.
- You can’t skip songs or pause the song using voice commands. You need to use the touchpad of Echo Dot.
Why Can’t I Play YouTube Music on Alexa Echo Dot?
Several reasons why you can’t directly play YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot are:
1. Amazon and Google are in competition and don’t promote each other’s services.
2. Alexa Echo Dot plays music from its own Amazon Music instead of YouTube Music.
3. Amazon hasn’t developed a native skill yet, allowing users to play YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot.
There are various ways to overcome the challenges we’ve mentioned above. Refer to the methods we explained in detail above.
Additional Tips
1. Use high-quality speakers to enhance your listening experience.
2. Use voice commands instead of physically accessing the device.
3. Sign in to your YouTube account to access your saved playlists.
4. Always check the network connectivity of your devices to avoid interruptions while playing music.
5 FAQs about Playing YouTube Music on Alexa Echo Dot
Q1. Do I need to have an Amazon Music account to use the first method?
A1. Yes, you need to have an Amazon Music subscription or a Prime account to be able to use the first method.
Q2. What happens if I don’t have any Amazon Music playlist?
A2. If you don’t have any Amazon Music playlist, you need to create one and then add the YouTube music that you want to play.
Q3. Does the second method play videos or audio only?
A3. The second method, which involves using an app called "YouTube on Alexa," can play both video and audio. However, it only plays audio on Alexa Echo Dot.
Q4. What happens if I’m not logged in to my YouTube account?
A4. You won’t be able to access your saved playlists or view videos that require age restrictions.
Q5. Can I play YouTube music on my Echo Dot without using Wi-Fi?
A5. No, all the methods mentioned in this blog post require Wi-Fi connectivity to function.
In Conclusion
Playing YouTube music on Alexa Echo Dot is not supported by default, but there are several methods to work around this. You can use a combination of Bluetooth, apps, and browsers to play YouTube music seamlessly on Alexa Echo Dot. You can try all three methods to find the best one that works for you. Additionally, you can try the additional tips we provided to enhance your overall listening experience. With this guide, you no longer have to restrict yourself to Amazon Music; you can now enjoy all your favorite tunes from YouTube on Alexa Echo Dot.