WORLDTECH NEWS Global technology intelligence.Contact
← Back to WORLDTECH
Technology INDEPENDENT REPORTS

Alexa can’t control the aux input on Amazon Echo speakers anymore

Stack of assorted aged cellphones with black screens and portable music players on gray background
Illustrative photo.Photo by Skyler Ewing on PexelsAmazon logo shown for identification only; no affiliation with or endorsement of WORLDTECH is implied.

What happened

Ars Technica points to this Reddit poster claiming they received a message from Amazon and says an unnamed spokesperson confirmed the change. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the news to Ars Technica today.

If you've been using an older Amazon Echo device as a speaker through its 3.5mm aux input, Alexa voice commands to play or pause from line in may stop working. When contacted by The Verge , Amazon did not provide an on-the-record statement.

The message does not include any explanation for why the feature was removed. Amazon hasn't made an Echo with a 3.5mm port in six years.

Amazon has disabled Alexa control of devices plugged into the company's Echo smart speaker’s AUX port. Users have reported receiving an email from Amazon this week informing them of the change.

Sources & evidence