Automate Your Day with Smart Routines
Having a smart home isn’t just about controlling lights with your voice—it’s about automation. Amazon Alexa Routines allow you to trigger multiple actions with a single command or event. Here are 10 essential Alexa routines that will save you time and make your home feel truly smart.
1. The “Good Morning” Routine
- Trigger: Say “Alexa, good morning” or set a specific time.
- Actions: Gradually turn on the bedroom lights to 50%, read the weather forecast, read your calendar events, and start the smart coffee maker.
2. The “Good Night” Routine
- Trigger: Say “Alexa, good night.”
- Actions: Turn off all house lights, lock the front smart lock, set the thermostat to a cool sleeping temperature, and play white noise on your Echo device.
3. The “Leaving Home” Routine
- Trigger: Say “Alexa, I’m leaving.”
- Actions: Turn off all lights, turn off the smart plugs (like hair straighteners), lock the doors, and set Alexa Guard to “Away” mode to monitor for smoke alarms or breaking glass.
4. The “Welcome Home” Routine
- Trigger: When your phone GPS detects you have arrived home.
- Actions: Turn on the entryway light, unlock the front door, and say “Welcome home, boss!” on your living room speaker.
5. The “Movie Time” Routine
- Trigger: Say “Alexa, let’s watch a movie.”
- Actions: Turn off the main living room lights, dim the Govee TV backlight to 20%, turn on the TV via a smart plug or Harmony hub, and set the thermostat to cozy.
6. The “Sunset Auto-Lights” Routine
- Trigger: Sunset (changes automatically based on your location).
- Actions: Turn on the outdoor porch lights and living room lamps.
7. The “Quiet Doorbell” Routine
- Trigger: When your smart doorbell detects motion after 10 PM.
- Actions: Instead of ringing the loud chime, flash the bedroom smart lights green to alert you silently.
8. The “Work Focus” Routine
- Trigger: Say “Alexa, focus time.”
- Actions: Set office lights to a cool white color, turn on your smart desk fan, and play lo-fi focus music on Spotify.
9. The “Intruder Alert” Routine
- Trigger: If a motion sensor detects movement in the backyard after midnight.
- Actions: Turn all outdoor floodlights to 100% brightness and broadcast a loud warning message on all Echo speakers.
10. The “Flash Briefing” Routine
- Trigger: Dismissing your morning alarm.
- Actions: Automatically read out your local news briefing and traffic updates as soon as you wake up.
