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Alexa can be connected to the FritzBox to control numerous Smart Home features by voice command. We explain how to connect the router to the voice assistant, how to use the functions profitably and how you can even use Alexa to make phone calls.
Connecting Alexa with FritzBox: Getting started
Every smart home needs a control centre. A DECT-capable FritzBox is also suitable for this.
- The disadvantage of using the FritzBox as an anchor for the smart functions is primarily that there is only limited compatibility with devices from other manufacturers. In particular, AVM’s own products are supported, such as the smart radiator thermostats.
- In the meantime, however, the FritzBox can also communicate with the Han Fun standard, so that other smart home devices can also be used to a limited extent. However, this requires that your FritzBox is DECT-capable and also has the latest FritzOS version 7 installed.
- A direct connection to Phillips Hue is still not possible, you still need the Hue Bridge.
- This does not change after a connection with Amazon’s Alexa, because Alexa does not act as a replacement for the respective receiver, but rather only forwards the commands via voice to the router or the receiving device.
- To establish this functionality directly via your FritzBox, you must install the “FB Smart Home” skill on your Echo.
- In the FritzBox user interface, now activate remote access to the FritzBox. This is necessary to enable control via Alexa.
This is how the connection process continues
Now proceed step by step:
- In the side menu, select the “Internet” tab and then click on “MyFritz! account”. There you activate “MyFritz! active for this FritzBox” as well as “Internet access to the FritzBox via HTTPS activated”.
- For remote access it is also necessary to set up a new user in the FritzBox. To do this, select “FritzBox User” under “System” and then “Add User”.
- In the menu that appears, it is important that you click on “Access also allowed from the Internet”. In addition, “Smart Home” must be set in the permissions.
- Now you need to connect the FritzBox to the Echo Skill. To do this, log in under the “Login with Amazon” tab on the website of the skill.
- And a change is also noticeable in the Alexa app: If you now tap “Smart Home” and then “Search devices”, all Smart Home devices connected to the FritzBox will be displayed.
- Commands such as “Alexa, set the heating in the living room to 19.5°C” can now control your Smart Home by voice.
- If this condition is met, however, the call also works from speaker to smartphone and vice versa.
- The big advantage compared to conventional telephony is certainly that classic telephones are no longer needed, but the existing Smart Home speaker can be used.
- Set-up is done via the Alexa app. Simply tap on the speech bubble, the subsequent registration process is self-explanatory.
- You only need to confirm your identity and your mobile phone number, then you can make phone calls directly via Alexa.
The alternative to landlines: Internet telephony via Alexa
By the way, it is also possible to make phone calls via Alexa without any problems. This makes the FritzBox almost superfluous in one of its original core functions. But this requires Alexa speakers at both ends of the connections.
- This does not change after a connection with Amazon’s Alexa, because Alexa does not act as a replacement for the respective receiver, but rather only forwards the commands via voice to the router or the receiving device.
