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If you have an Echo device, you probably know that you can ask Alexa to play a variety of songs. But unless you have a paid subscription to Amazon Music, the number of songs Alexa can play for you is somewhat limited.
The good news is that you can change Alexa’s default music service to something other than Amazon Music. You can connect Alexa to a music service you subscribe to and make that service your default music service for Alexa.
After you’ve changed the default music service, Alexa will automatically play songs from that service, without you having to request that service each time you speak to Alexa.
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Music Services that Can Be Played Using Alexa
The default music service for Alexa is Amazon Music. So when you request a song from Alexa, it will play the song from Amazon Music, unless you ask for a different service in your request. Prime members can listen to 2 million songs on Amazon Music, while paid Amazon Music subscribers get access to 10 million songs.
You can easily change the default music service on Alexa so you don’t have to specify which music service you want to use every time you ask for a song.
Alexa works with a wide variety of music services, including:
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- Deezer
- Gimme
- iHeartRadio
- Pandora
- SiriusXM
- Spotify Premium
- Tidal
- TuneIn
- Vevo
You must already have an account with these services and be logged into the account on the app on your phone to connect the music services to your Alexa account. Some music services may require additional login verification to connect your account to Alexa.
Certain music services only work with Alexa if you have a paid account, while others work with a free account.
How to Connect a Music Service to Your Alexa Account
To connect a different music service to your Alexa account, open the Alexa app on your phone. Tap the three stacked lines in the upper left corner of the screen to show the menu. Tap Settings => Music.
There you’ll see your connected music accounts. To add an account, tap the + next to Link New Service.
A new screen will appear with a choice of music services you can link your Alexa account to. Tap the one you want to connect, then enable the skill. You’ll then have to log into your music service account.
How to Change the Default Music Service for Alexa
To change the default music service, open the Alexa app on your phone. Tap the three stacked lines in the upper left corner of the screen to show the menu. Tap Settings => Music.
There you will see a list of music services you have connected to your Alexa app.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to Account Settings. Tap Default Services.
You’ll see a new page where you can choose your Default Music Library. Tap the music service you’d like Alexa to use as your default music service.
After you’ve set your default music service with Alexa, you can ask to play songs, artists, playlists, and genres without having to specify the service.
How to Change Your Default Station for Alexa
You can also choose which service you’d like to use for your default station so you don’t have to ask specifically each time you want to listen to a radio station.
Your service for Alexa’s default music can be different from your service for Alexa’s default station.
For example, you can choose Spotify as your default music service for Alexa and Sirius XM as your default station. So when you ask Alexa to play songs, artists, playlists, and genres, it will play music from Spotify. When you ask Alexa to play “Channel 16,” it will play Sirius XM station The Blend.
To change the default music service you use for radio, open the Alexa app on your phone. Tap the three stacked lines in the upper left corner of the screen to show the menu. Tap Settings => Music.
There you’ll see the list of music services you’ve connected to your Alexa app.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to Account Settings. Tap Default Services.
You’ll see a new page where you can choose your Default Station. Tap the music service you’d like to have Alexa use as your default station.
After you’ve set your Default Station with Alexa, you can ask to play a channel without having to specify the service.
Your Thoughts
Do you listen to music using Alexa? Have you connected other music services to Alexa? Have you set a different default music service for Alexa?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!