(Pocket-lint) - Your Amazon Echo or Alexa wake word is what your Amazon Alexa device listens out for before it bursts into action.
Usually, this is "Alexa", the name of Amazon's virtual assistant and the default option.
But you might not like "Alexa", while if you happen to have someone in your house called "Alexa", "Alex" "Lexi" or similar, you might find the Echo responds when you say that name too. And that's rather annoying to say the least.
What's more, Amazon is prone to running adverts that mention Alexa, which also might trigger the device.
And then there's the issue of people visiting your home and playing around with your Echo device by shouting "Alexa" at it repeatedly.
Thankfully, you can change your Alexa wake word to "computer", "Amazon" or "Echo" depending on how geeky you want to be. We rather like "computer" ourselves, but it's not to everyone's taste.
How to change your Alexa wake word
You can change the wake word for individual Echo devices. This is great as it means that individuals can change the wake word for their Echo in their bedroom, for example.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Hit the Devices tab, and then Echo & Alexa.
- Select the Echo you want to change.
- Scroll down to Wake Word and select your preference from the list.
If you don't use the Alexa app for iOS or Android, you can configure your Echo through the web. Just go to echo.amazon.com in your browser and you'll be able to log-in and control your device without needing a phone.
Check out our ultimate guide to Amazon Echo tips and tricks as well as Alexa Easter Eggs.
