Amazon Removes Alexa Voice Controls for AUX Inputs on Older Echo Speakers

Amazon has stopped supporting Alexa voice controls for the AUX input on several older smart speakers. Commands that let users switch to a wired audio source with their voice, such as asking Alexa to play from the line-in port, no longer work. While the spoken shortcuts are gone, the physical audio ports on the speakers continue to work.

The update affects four specific models released between 2018 and 2020: the second-generation Echo Plus, the third-generation Echo, the fourth-generation Echo, and the original Echo Studio. An Amazon spokesperson told the publication that the company sent notices to the small number of customers who use voice requests for AUX playback. The company did not explain why it decided to remove the voice features.

Owners can still use a physical cable to connect external hardware, such as a phone, a computer, or an older compact disc player, to the speaker. To play audio through that wired connection, users must open the smartphone app, find the speaker under the device menu, locate the AUX audio settings, and manually select the line-in option. Once the input is active through the app, people must use the connected device's own buttons or controls to start music and skip tracks.

Summary

Amazon's change removes a convenient spoken shortcut for anyone who relies on a wired audio setup with their smart speaker. Although the hardware ports and manual app settings still function, users can no longer ask Alexa to switch to an auxiliary source.