Alexa multi-room music groups let compatible Echo devices play supported audio together. When you add a new Echo or Echo Dot, first finish normal device setup in the Alexa app, then edit the existing speaker group so Alexa knows the new device should participate.
Add the Echo to an existing multi-room group
- Set up the new Echo in the Alexa app and confirm it can play audio by itself.
- Open the Alexa app on the iPhone.
- Open Devices and find the speaker/group controls.
- Select the existing multi-room music group you want to change.
- Choose the option to edit the group’s speakers or devices.
- Select the new Echo or Echo Dot and save the group.
- Ask Alexa to play music on the group and confirm all selected speakers respond.
If the new Echo cannot be selected
Confirm that all participating Echo devices are online, registered to the expected Amazon account, and using compatible network/device configurations. Restart the new Echo and the Alexa app before deleting a working group.
Do not confuse rooms with speaker groups
Alexa can organize devices into rooms/groups for smart-home control as well as multi-room music speaker groups. Adding an Echo to a room does not necessarily add it to an existing synchronized music group.
Audio services can have their own limitations
Not every audio source or Bluetooth scenario supports synchronized playback across Echo devices. Test with a music service known to support Alexa multi-room playback before troubleshooting the Wi-Fi network.
Amazon periodically reorganizes the Alexa app, so labels can differ from older screenshots. Use the current Devices and speaker-group controls rather than assuming the original iPhone app layout is unchanged.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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