Yes, you can change Alexa's wake word to something other than "Alexa"

Amazon lets you change the name your Alexa device responds to. Instead of saying "Alexa," you can set it to "Amazon," "Echo," or "Computer." The change takes a few minutes and works on any Alexa device — phone app, Echo speaker, or Fire tablet. Once you change it, your device will only respond to the new wake word, not the original one.

The process is the same whether you own one device or several. You change the wake word through the Alexa app on your phone, and the change syncs to your device within seconds. If you have multiple Alexa devices in your home, you can give each one a different wake word, or keep them all the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Alexa wake word to "Amazon," "Echo," or "Computer" through the Alexa mobile app under device settings.
  • The change takes effect when ready on your device and does not require unplugging or restarting.
  • Each Alexa device in your home can have its own unique wake word if you want them to be different.
  • If you change your mind, you can switch back to "Alexa" or pick a different option at any time.

How to change the wake word in the Alexa app

Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap the Devices icon at the bottom right. Select Echo & Alexa, then choose the specific device you want to change. Tap the gear icon (settings) at the top right of the screen.

Scroll down and tap Wake Word. You will see four options: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer. Select the one you want. The app will confirm the change, and your device will start responding to the new wake word right away. You do not need to restart the device or do anything else.

What happens to the old wake word

Once you change the wake word, the old one stops working completely. If you had set "Alexa" and change it to "Echo," saying "Alexa" will no longer wake the device. This is useful if you share your home with someone else named Alexa and want to avoid constant accidental activations.

The change is permanent until you change it again. There is no way to have the device respond to multiple wake words at the same time — you can only pick one.

Changing the wake word on multiple devices

If you own more than one Alexa device, you change each one separately through the app. Go to Devices, select Echo & Alexa, and repeat the process for each device. You can give them all the same wake word or make each one different.

Many people keep their main living room Echo as "Alexa" but change bedroom or kitchen devices to "Echo" or "Computer" to reduce accidental triggers. There is no limit to how many devices you can customize this way.

Wake word options available right now

Amazon currently offers four wake words: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, and Computer. These are the only options built into the system. You cannot create a custom wake word or use a nickname — you must choose from these four.

Amazon has not added new wake words in recent years, so these four are what you have to work with. If none of them fit your situation, the closest alternative is to use a different device entirely or keep the default "Alexa" setting.

Troubleshooting if the change does not work

If you changed the wake word but your device still responds to the old one, check that the change actually saved. Open the app, go back to Wake Word, and confirm which one is selected. If it shows the old wake word, try selecting the new one again.

If the device is still not responding to the new wake word after you confirm the change, restart the device by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait a minute for it to reconnect to your Wi-Fi, then test the new wake word. If it still does not work, check that your device has the latest software by going to Device Settings and looking for any pending updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a person's name as the wake word?

No. Amazon only allows "Alexa," "Amazon," "Echo," or "Computer." You cannot set it to a custom name, even if you are the only person using the device. If you want to avoid triggering a device when someone with a similar name is nearby, your best option is to choose "Computer" or "Echo" instead.

Will changing the wake word affect my routines or smart home commands?

No. Your routines, automations, and smart home device connections will work exactly the same. The wake word change only affects what you say to start talking to Alexa — everything else stays the same.

Can I change the wake word on an Alexa device I do not own?

Only if you have access to the Alexa app and the device is registered to your Amazon account. If someone else owns the device, you cannot change its wake word unless they give you permission and add you as a household member in their account.

What if I forget which wake word I set?

Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, select the device, tap settings, and scroll to Wake Word. The app will show you which wake word is currently active. You can change it from there if you want something different.