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10 Tech How-To

How to Change Alexa’s Voice on Your Echo Device

Guide 10-12134 · Updated · Step by step

Changing Alexa’s voice on your Echo device lets you pick between the standard female voice and a male voice, which can make interactions feel more natural or just suit your preference better. This guide walks you through the quick settings change in the Alexa app, and covers what to do if the option isn’t showing up.

What You’ll Need

  • The Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android)
  • Your Echo device powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone
  • The Amazon account used to set up your Echo device logged into the app

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet. Make sure you’re signed in to the same Amazon account that your Echo device is registered to.
  2. Tap the Devices icon at the bottom right of the screen (it looks like a small house or a rectangle).
  3. Select Echo & Alexa from the list of device categories. This shows all your Echo devices and Alexa-enabled gadgets.
  4. Choose the specific Echo device whose voice you want to change. If you have multiple Echos, you’ll need to set the voice for each one separately.
  5. Tap the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of that device’s page.
  6. Scroll down to the “Alexa Voice” section. It’s usually under the “General” or “Device” heading, depending on your app version.
  7. Tap “Alexa Voice” to open the voice selection screen. You’ll see two options: “Female” and “Male” (the male voice is labeled “Alexa – New” or simply “Male”).
  8. Select the voice you want by tapping the radio button next to it. A preview may play automatically so you can hear the difference.
  9. Tap “Done” or the back arrow to save your change. The new voice takes effect almost immediately, usually within a few seconds.
  10. Test it by saying “Alexa, what’s the weather?” or any command to confirm the new voice is active.

Common Mistakes

  • Changing the voice on the wrong device – If you have multiple Echos, you might change the voice on one and think it’s broken when another still uses the old voice. Each device needs its own setting.
  • Looking for the option in the wrong place – The “Alexa Voice” setting is not in the main app settings or under your profile. It’s only inside the individual device’s settings page.
  • Expecting the male voice to respond to a different wake word – The male voice still responds to “Alexa” (or whatever wake word you’ve set). It doesn’t change the name or the wake word.
  • Assuming all Alexa features work with the male voice – Some skills and third-party apps may not support the male voice and will still use the default female voice. This is a limitation of the skill, not your device.
  • Forgetting to update the app – If you don’t see the “Alexa Voice” option at all, your app might be outdated. Update it from your app store and try again.

Tips

  • Set the voice per device – You can have one Echo in the living room use the female voice and another in the bedroom use the male voice. Just repeat the steps for each device.
  • Use the same voice across all devices – To keep things consistent, you’ll need to change it on each device individually. There’s no global setting to change all at once.
  • Check for new voices – Amazon occasionally adds new voices or accents. Keep your app updated to see the latest options.
  • Try the male voice for a while – It might sound slightly different in tone and pace, but you’ll get used to it. Give it a few days before deciding.
  • Use voice profiles for personalized responses – The voice setting is separate from voice profiles, which let Alexa recognize different people. You can combine both for a more tailored experience.

Troubleshooting

I can’t find the “Alexa Voice” option. First, make sure your Alexa app is updated to the latest version. If it is, try restarting the app (close it fully and reopen). If it still doesn’t appear, your Echo device might be an older model that doesn’t support the male voice. Check Amazon’s device page for your specific model to confirm compatibility.

The change didn’t save. Go back into the device settings and check which voice is selected. If it reverted to the old one, try the steps again and make sure you tap “Done” or the back arrow to save. If it still doesn’t stick, restart your Echo by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in, then try again.

Some commands still use the old voice. As mentioned, certain skills or built-in features (like timers or alarms) may not support the male voice yet. This is a known limitation and not something you can fix. The core Alexa responses should change, though.

The male voice sounds robotic or distorted. This can happen if your Echo’s software is outdated. Check for device updates in the Alexa app: go to Device Settings, then “Check for Software Updates” (if available). Also, make sure your Wi-Fi connection is stable – a weak signal can cause audio issues.

I changed the voice but my Echo still responds with the old one. Wait a few minutes – sometimes the change takes a little time to propagate. If it’s still the same after 10 minutes, restart the Echo and try again. If you have an Echo Show, also check that the display’s voice setting matches what you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change Alexa’s voice on all my Echo devices at once? No, you have to change it individually for each device. There’s no global setting.

Does the male voice respond to a different wake word? No, it still responds to “Alexa” (or whatever wake word you’ve set). The voice and the wake word are separate settings.

Will changing the voice affect how Alexa understands me? No, the voice output doesn’t affect speech recognition. Alexa will still understand you the same way.

Can I use the male voice with all Alexa skills? Most core features work, but some third-party skills may not support the male voice and will use the default female voice instead.

Is the male voice available on all Echo devices? No, it’s only available on newer Echo models. Check your device’s compatibility in the Alexa app or on Amazon’s website.

How do I switch back to the original female voice? Just follow the same steps and select “Female” instead of “Male.” The change is instant.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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