Amazon Alexa Setup Guide

Connect Your Smart Devices to Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa allows you to control compatible smart locks, lights, sensors, switches, cameras and other smart home devices using voice commands, routines and the Alexa app.
This guide is written for beginners and assumes no prior smart home experience. If you can install an app and follow the steps below, you can set up Alexa.

What is Amazon Alexa?

Amazon Alexa is Amazon's smart home and voice assistant platform.
It allows you to:
✅ Control smart devices using voice commands
✅ Create routines and automations
✅ Control your home remotely
✅ Receive alerts and notifications
✅ Group devices into rooms
✅ Connect devices from multiple manufacturers
Common Alexa-enabled devices include:
  • Amazon Echo
  • Echo Dot
  • Echo Show
  • Fire TV devices
  • Alexa mobile app

Before You Start

You will need:
✅ An Amazon account
✅ The Alexa app installed
✅ A compatible smart device
✅ A smartphone or tablet
✅ Internet access
✅ A working Wi‑Fi connection
For most Armstrong Smart Access products, you will also need:
✅ Tuya Smart App
or
✅ Samsung SmartThings
or
✅ Matter support

Understanding How Most Smart Devices Connect to Alexa

Many people think Alexa connects directly to everything.
In reality, most smart devices connect like this:
Smart Device
      ↓
Tuya Smart App
      ↓
Amazon Alexa
or
Smart Device
      ↓
Samsung SmartThings
      ↓
Amazon Alexa
This is completely normal.
Armstrong Smart Access recommends:
  1. Set up the device first.
  2. Confirm the device works correctly.
  3. Then connect it to Alexa.
This makes troubleshooting much easier.

Understanding 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi‑Fi

Many smart home products work only on 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi.
Examples include:
  • Smart locks
  • Sensors
  • Smart switches
  • Smart plugs
  • Video doorbells
  • Cameras

Why?

2.4GHz provides:
✅ Better range
✅ Better wall penetration
✅ Lower power consumption
✅ More reliable connections for smart devices

Why Setup Sometimes Fails

Your router may broadcast:
Home Wi‑Fi
while secretly operating both:
  • 2.4GHz
  • 5GHz
Your phone often connects to 5GHz automatically.
Some smart devices only support 2.4GHz.
This can result in:
  • Device not found
  • Pairing failures
  • Setup stopping at 90–99%
  • Device showing "Offline"

What Should I Do?

Try Setup Normally First

Most modern routers work perfectly.
Only change settings if setup repeatedly fails.

If Setup Fails Repeatedly

You may need to temporarily disable 5GHz.
This forces:
  • Your phone onto 2.4GHz
  • The smart device onto 2.4GHz
allowing setup to complete successfully.
After setup finishes:
✅ Turn 5GHz back on
✅ Reconnect your phone normally
✅ Continue using Alexa as usual

Step 1: Install the Alexa App

Apple iPhone and iPad

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Search for: 
    Amazon Alexa
  3. Install the application.
  4. Open the Alexa app.

Android Phones

  1. Open Google Play.
  2. Search for: 
    Amazon Alexa
  3. Install the application.
  4. Open the Alexa app.

Samsung Galaxy Devices

  1. Open Google Play.
  2. Install Amazon Alexa.
  3. Sign in using your Amazon account.
Samsung users often run:
  • Alexa
  • SmartThings
  • Google Home
at the same time.
This is perfectly normal.

Step 2: Sign into Your Amazon Account

  1. Open Alexa.
  2. Enter your Amazon account details.
  3. Complete any security verification.
  4. Allow required permissions.

Step 3: Confirm Your Device Works First

Before connecting Alexa:
  1. Open the manufacturer's app.
  2. Confirm the device works correctly.
For example:
  • Smart lock locks and unlocks
  • Camera displays video
  • Sensor reports activity
If the device does not work in its own app, Alexa will not be able to control it.

Step 4: Connect Tuya Devices to Alexa

This is the most common setup used by Armstrong Smart Access customers.

Open Alexa

  1. Open the Alexa app.
  2. Select More.
  3. Select Skills & Games.

Search for Tuya Smart

Search for:
Tuya Smart

Enable the Skill

  1. Select Tuya Smart.
  2. Tap Enable.
  3. Sign in using your Tuya account.
  4. Allow Amazon access.

Discover Devices

Once connected:
  1. Select Discover Devices.
  2. Wait for scanning to complete.
  3. Review detected devices.
Devices should now appear inside the Alexa app.

Step 5: Connect SmartThings Devices to Alexa

If you use Samsung SmartThings:
  1. Open Alexa.
  2. Open Skills & Games.
  3. Search for: 
    SmartThings
  4. Enable the SmartThings skill.
  5. Log in using your Samsung account.
  6. Authorise device access.
  7. Discover devices.
Compatible SmartThings devices should now appear in Alexa.

Step 6: Connect Matter Devices

Matter devices often provide the easiest setup experience.

To Add a Matter Device

  1. Open Alexa.
  2. Select Add Device.
  3. Choose Matter Device.
  4. Scan the Matter QR code.
  5. Follow the prompts.
Once added, Matter devices can often work across multiple smart home platforms.

Step 7: Assign Devices to Rooms

Organising devices improves voice control.
Examples:

Front Door

  • Smart lock
  • Camera
  • Doorbell

Living Room

  • Lights
  • Sensors
  • Switches

Garage

  • Camera
  • Sensor
  • Lighting

Step 8: Test Voice Commands

Try simple commands first.
Examples:

Smart Lock

"Alexa, lock the front door."

Lights

"Alexa, turn on the living room lights."

Camera

"Alexa, show the front door camera."
Available commands depend on the device.

Create Alexa Routines

Alexa allows multiple actions to occur automatically.
Examples:

Good Night

  • Lock doors
  • Turn off lights
  • Activate security devices

Leaving Home

  • Lock supported smart locks
  • Turn off switches
  • Arm security systems

Arriving Home

  • Turn on lights
  • Announce arrival
  • Run automations

Alexa and Other Smart Home Platforms

Alexa and Tuya Smart

Recommended setup:
Device
  ↓
Tuya Smart
  ↓
Alexa
This is the preferred configuration for many Armstrong Smart Access products.

Alexa and SmartThings

Many customers use:
Device
  ↓
SmartThings
  ↓
Alexa
This allows SmartThings devices to be controlled by Alexa.

Alexa and Google Home

Many devices support both.
The setup process must be completed separately for each platform.

Alexa and Apple Home

These platforms operate independently.
Matter-compatible devices may support both ecosystems.

Alexa and Home Assistant

Advanced users can integrate Alexa and Home Assistant.
This provides:
  • Advanced automations
  • Custom dashboards
  • Greater device flexibility
Technical knowledge may be required.

Troubleshooting

Device Not Found

Try:
  1. Confirm the device works in its original app.
  2. Re-run device discovery.
  3. Restart the device.
  4. Restart the Alexa app.

Alexa Says Device Offline

Check:
  • Internet connection
  • Device power
  • Wi‑Fi connection
  • Manufacturer app status

Voice Commands Not Working

Check:
  1. Device naming.
  2. Room assignment.
  3. Alexa account permissions.
  4. Device online status.

Device Appears Twice

This often occurs when:
  • The same device is connected through multiple platforms.
  • Alexa discovered it more than once.
Remove duplicate entries and keep the version that functions correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Echo speaker?

No.
The Alexa app can control devices.
Echo speakers add voice control.

Should I install Tuya Smart first?

Yes.
Armstrong Smart Access recommends setting up your device in Tuya Smart before connecting it to Alexa.

Can Alexa work with Google Home?

Yes.
Many devices support both platforms.
Setup is completed separately for each ecosystem.

Can Alexa work with SmartThings?

Yes.
Many Samsung SmartThings devices can be linked directly to Alexa.

Can I control devices when away from home?

Yes.
Most internet-connected devices can be controlled remotely using the Alexa app.

Related Guides

Smart Home Platforms

  • Tuya Smart App Setup Guide
  • Samsung SmartThings Setup Guide
  • Google Home Setup Guide
  • Apple Home Setup Guide
  • Home Assistant Setup Guide

Support Resources

  • Connectivity Troubleshooting Guide
  • Smart Lock Battery Replacement Guide
  • Battery Storage, Maintenance & Recycling Guide

Need More Help?

Contact Armstrong Smart Access for assistance with Alexa setup, skill configuration, device compatibility and smart home automation.