In addition to sending voice messages to other Echo users and placing voice calls with your Amazon Echo, you can now use Alexa to send text messages to your friends and family.
However, there's a catch.
It only works with Android phones running version 5.0 and newer, and Amazon explained that there is no plan to expand to iOS anytime soon.
So here is how you set it up.
Start by opening the Alexa app on your android phone.
Then open the conversations tab.
If the app is up to date a pop up should appear explaining the new sms feature, tap go to my profile.
You can not see this pop up or you accidentally closed it, don't worry, it's very easy to get back to your profile and find this setting.
Tap the contacts icon in the upper right corner and select my profile.
Under permissions, tap the tab on to send SMS to enable it, tap OK and then type Wow to give Alexa access to send and view SMS messages.
Like voice calling with Alexa, this feature will let you text most US based numbers excluding 911 You also won't be able to group message, or send MMS.
An SMS with Alexa differs from the previously launched messaging feature, in that this isn't Echo to Echo messaging, and it's not sending voice messages.
Instead these are text To speech text messages where recipients will receive on there phone from your phone number.
This also means you will not receive messages and they will not be read back to you on the Alexis speaker.
To send a text message with Alexi simply say your make word and then you can either say send an SMS or send a text message and you can also tag your recipients name on the end of that command.
Are saying something like send an SMS to Corey or send the text message to Sharon.
For more Alexa tips and tricks and other how-tos, be sure to check out cnet.com/how-to.
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