Connect Alexa to Philips Hue - Here's how

Philips Hue is an intelligent lighting system that harmonises very well with Amazon's Alexa. This practical tip explains how you can combine the two.

Connect Alexa to Philips Hue - the preparations

Before Philips Hue can be connected to Alexa, the Hue system must first be set up separately.

• The Hue Bridge is a mandatory requirement for use with Alexa and the general control of the Hue system.
• You also need at least one Hue bulb. When purchasing, you should immediately make sure that the light bulb has the same socket as the lamp in which it is to be operated.
• Then simply screw the bulb into any lamp and switch it on.
• Now it's time to connect the Hue Bridge to your WiFi router. Use the included Ethernet cable for this. Alternatively, you can also connect other devices with an Ethernet port to the bridge, provided that they are also connected to your WLAN router.
• Install the free Philips Hue app on your smartphone. You need this to be able to control the lamps and create groups, for example for individual rooms, independently of Amazon's Alexa.
• After logging in or creating a new My Hue account, tap the plus symbol within the app to search for and add light bulbs. If you have decided to buy the starter set, the corresponding bulbs should be displayed from the start.
• If all the bulbs are connected, you can name rooms and lamps for orientation. This will help immensely later when controlling with Amazon's Alexa.
• Simply go to "Settings" and then to "Room Settings". You can use the plus symbol to create additional rooms to which you can assign the corresponding lamps.
• Simply go to "Settings" and then to "Room Settings". You can use the plus symbol to create additional rooms to which you can assign the corresponding lamps.

Connect Alexa to Philips Hue - the facility

After all the prerequisites for commissioning Philips Hue with Alexa have been created, you can now connect both systems.

• With Apple's Siri or HomeKit, Philips Hue can already be used without any further setup, but it is probably much more convenient to control the light in the respective room without mobile devices and just by calling.
• Alexa uses so-called skills to expand their own skills. In this case, the installation of the Hue skill is required.
• You should have already created a My Hue account when you set up the Hue Bridge. You need this account to be able to use the skills for Philips Hue at all. In addition, logging in with a My Hue account extends the range of functions of the app, for example by defining certain automations. For example, you can now set the lights to come on automatically when you get home.
• The Alexa app must then be installed on your device if you do not already have it.
• Open the app and select "Skills" from the menu on the left of the screen. Enter "Hue" in the search field that appears and tap on the corresponding entry in the results.
• Now the skills of the skill are displayed. With a tap on the "Activate" button at the top right, you link the skill with Amazon's Alexa.
• You will then be automatically redirected to the login in your Hue account, where you enter your username and password.
• After activating the skill, the bridge must now be linked to Alexa so that the commands can be passed on and executed accordingly.
• To do this, select "Smart Home" in the menu on the left and then "Devices". A tap on "Search" starts a search lasting about 20 seconds. Alexa prompts you to press the button on your Hue bridge once to locate it.
• All lamps connected to the bridge should now be displayed in the Alexa app with the corresponding designation. If you have added lamps via the Hue app, changed names or created scenes, you should once again search for devices so that Alexa can also call up all new information from the Hue Bridge.
• The connection between Alexa and the Hue Bridge is now complete. As a test, you can try using the command "Alexa, switch on the lamp [...]" to switch a specific lamp on or off.

Another practical tip will tell you how large the wireless range of the Hue Bridge is.