Amazon drops Alexa voice control for Echo aux input
The 3.5 mm jack still plays audio, but switching to an external source by voice now requires the Alexa app, Amazon confirmed to Ars Technica.
Amazon has begun telling Echo owners that voice control over the 3.5 mm auxiliary input is no longer supported, as of the latest software version. An Amazon representative confirmed the change to Ars Technica.
The jack itself still works on Echo models that have one. What has changed is how users switch to it: muting external audio and selecting the auxiliary source now have to be done through the Alexa smartphone app rather than by speaking to the device.
Amazon said its analytics showed that few users were relying on voice commands for the auxiliary input. The company added that voice control of Bluetooth devices has not changed, according to Ars Technica.
The 3.5 mm jack was a standard part of older Echo hardware, and Alexa previously allowed owners to switch to an external source by voice. The auxiliary input has already been dropped from newer Echo models.
Quick answers
Does the 3.5 mm jack on my Echo still work?
Yes. The physical auxiliary input still functions on Echo models that have it. Only voice control over that input was removed.
How do I switch to the auxiliary input now?
Muting external audio and switching to the aux source now require the Alexa smartphone app. Amazon says voice control of Bluetooth devices has not changed.