Alexa+

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Alexa+ is Amazon's newer, chattier version of Alexa. You talk to it on an Echo speaker, an Echo Show screen or in the Alexa app, and it can follow a proper back-and-forth conversation.

It does the old Alexa jobs, like timers, music and reminders, and can now help with more open questions.

What You Can Use It For

• Reminders. "Alexa, remind me to take my tablets at 8 every morning."
• Hands-free help in the kitchen. "Alexa, how long do I roast a 2 kilo chicken?" Then ask a follow-up without starting again.
• Music and radio. "Alexa, play Radio 2" or "Play some Frank Sinatra."

Getting Started Step By Step

With An Echo Speaker

1. Plug in your Echo and install the Amazon Alexa app on your phone.
2. Open the app, sign in with your Amazon account and follow the steps to connect the Echo to your Wi-Fi.
3. If Alexa+ is offered on your account, the app or Alexa will ask if you'd like to switch it on.
4. Say "Alexa" and then your question.

On A Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to Amazon's Alexa+ page. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
2. Read what's available where you live and sign up for access if it's offered.

Things To Try Typing

Copy any of these, or change the details to suit you.

What It Costs

Prices checked 15 October 2026 on Amazon's official Alexa+ pages. Check there before you pay.

Privacy And Safety

• What it keeps. Amazon saves voice recordings of what you say to Alexa. In the Alexa app, go to More, then Settings, then Alexa Privacy to review and delete them.
• An Echo listens for the word "Alexa". Press the microphone-off button on top when you want it to stop listening altogether.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).
• Check important answers about health, money or the law with your doctor, pharmacist, bank or a qualified adviser.

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Completely hands-free, which helps with arthritis, poor eyesight or busy hands.
• Good for reminders, timers and music.
• An Echo Show has a screen, and you can make the text bigger in its settings.

Watch-Outs

• It can mishear you, especially with background noise.
• Don't buy things by voice unless you've set a purchase PIN in the Alexa app.
• It can be wrong and sound sure.

Similar Tools

• Siri and Apple Intelligence: built into iPhones, iPads and Macs.
• Gemini: Google's assistant, handy if you use Gmail or an Android phone.
• ElliQ: a talking companion device for the home.

Common Questions

Is Alexa+ free?

With Amazon Prime it's included. In the USA it's $19.99 a month without Prime. In the UK it's free during Early Access, then free with Prime or £19.99 a month without.

Do I need an Echo speaker?

An Echo is the easiest way, but you can also use Alexa in the Alexa app on your phone.

Is Alexa always listening?

It listens for the word 'Alexa' before recording. You can turn the microphone off with the button on top of the Echo.

What happened to Rufus, Amazon's shopping helper?

In the USA, Amazon joined Rufus with Alexa+ on 13 May 2026 and renamed it Alexa for Shopping. It's free in the Amazon app and on the website, with no Prime or Echo needed, and it can remember what you've told Alexa on your Echo. Our <a href='alexa-for-shopping.html'>Alexa for Shopping guide</a> shows how to use it.