How to Create Smart Routines with Alexa+ for Daily Automation

Open the Alexa+ App and Find Routines

First things first, grab your smartphone or tablet and open the Alexa+ app. This app is your control centre for everything Alexa+. Think of a Routine as a pre-set sequence of tasks your clever digital assistant can follow, all triggered by a simple command or event.

Once the app is open, look for the bottom navigation bar. You should see an icon that looks like a compass or a square with a star inside, often labelled "More". Tap on this. From the menu that appears, tap on "Routines".

Start a New Routine

Now that you're on the Routines screen, you'll see any existing routines you might have (or an empty screen if you're just starting out!). To create a new one, look for a plus (+) icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Tap this plus sign to begin crafting your first automated moment.

Give Your Routine a Name

The app will first ask you to name your routine. Choose something clear and descriptive, so you'll easily remember what it does later. For example, "Good Morning" or "Evening Wind Down". Once you've typed in a name, tap "Next" (or a similar button).

Choose a Trigger for Your Routine

Next, you need to decide what will kick-start your routine. This is called a Trigger – it's like the "start button" for your automatic helper. You'll see options like:

• Voice: This lets you say a specific phrase to start the routine.
• Schedule: This starts the routine at a set time or day.
• Smart Home: This can start the routine when a smart sensor detects something (like a door opening).

For a simple start, let's choose "Voice". Tap "Voice", then type the phrase you want to say to Alexa+. Keep it simple and natural.

Add Actions to Your Routine

Now for the fun part! This is where you tell Alexa+ what you want it to do when the routine is triggered. These are called Actions, and they're like the individual tasks on your helper's to-do list. Tap "Add action".

You'll see a list of categories like:

• Alexa Says: Make Alexa+ speak a custom phrase.
• Music & Podcasts: Play your favourite tunes.
• Smart Home: Control your smart lights, plugs, or thermostats.
• Calendar: Give you your daily schedule.

Let's add a couple of simple actions for our "Morning Wake Up" routine:

1. Tap "Alexa Says", then "Customised". Type Good morning! Time to start the day. Tap "Next" or "Add".
2. Tap "Add action" again.
3. Tap "Music & Podcasts". Choose your favourite music service, then type the name of an artist, genre, or playlist.

4. If you have smart lights, tap "Add action" again, then "Smart Home", then "Lights". Select your lights and set them to turn on or change colour. Tap "Next" or "Add".

You can add multiple actions, and rearrange their order by dragging them up or down using the handle (often three horizontal lines) next to each action.

Save Your Routine

Once you've added all the actions you want, review your routine. Ensure the trigger is correct and the actions are in the right order. Then, crucially, tap "Save" (often in the top right-hand corner) to activate your new routine. If you don't save it, all your hard work will be lost!

Now, just try saying your trigger phrase to your Alexa+ device, and watch your morning routine come to life!