How to Use Echo Dot as a Speaker with Aux

By Benny Kounlavouth,

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The Echo Dot is a great smart home automation tool to help you listen to music and stream podcasts. It also has a built-in Alexa assistant that you can give voice commands to. While the Echo Dot is wireless and doesn’t need to be plugged in to use as a speaker, you might be wondering how you can use it with an aux.

Below, we’ll cover all the steps of connecting your Echo Dot with an aux cord to use the device as a speaker. We’ll also go over some troubleshooting steps should the connection not work.

Can I Connect Echo Dot as a Speaker to Aux?

All Echo Dots can play music via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. However, some people may still prefer to use a cord to play music. If you fit in this category, first know that not all Echo Dots have an auxiliary input feature. However, all models have an aux output.

What this means is that, on output devices, you can use an aux cord to plug it into another device to play music. For example, you can use the Echo Dot to plug into another larger speaker and then play music via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to the large speaker. However, you won’t be able to plug in your smartphone to the Echo Dot and play music from the phone.

The following Echo models have aux inputs and outputs and can be used as a wired speaker:

Models with both output and input options can be used as traditional speakers. This means you can take an aux cord, plug one end into the Echo, and the other end into the device you want to play music from.

These Echo smart speaker options do not have aux input options:

Echo Dot
Echo Show– including the Echo Show 15
Echo Auto

Since the Echo Dot does not have an input option, you can’t use it as a wired speaker. As stated earlier, though, you can use the Echo Dot to plug into another speaker for better sound quality, or if:

Your other speaker is not Bluetooth or does not have Wi-Fi capabilities.
You are playing music outside and want a larger speaker.
You are at an event and want the music to be louder than what the Echo Dot can play.

Keep in mind you will still need Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to play music through the Echo Dot. Then the Echo Dot will play music through the other speaker.

How to Connect Echo Dot with Aux

To connect one of the Echo models to an aux cord, follow these steps:

Make sure you’re using a 3.55mm aux cord. No other sizes will work.
Connect one end of the cord to an Echo device that’s compatible.
Connect the other end to the audio output device.
Play music or other audio from the music device to see if it’s working.

If the music or audio does not automatically begin playing, you may need to connect it manually from the output device:

Click Settings.
Choose Sound.
Choose the aux output source you are using.

Playing Music Through Echo Dot to Another Speaker

To play music via Bluetooth through Echo Dot and to another speaker, follow these steps:

Say “Alexa pair Bluetooth.”
Click Settings on your smart device.
Click Bluetooth.
Click the device you want to pair.
It will begin pairing automatically and tell you when it’s done.

If you have an Echo Dot 4th Gen, we’ve got updated instructions on how to use it as a speaker with an aux cord.

Why Isn’t my Echo Device Working with an Aux Cord?

First, you want to ensure that your Echo device is compatible with the input aux cord. Unfortunately, not all devices can use the input features.

Then check the following:

Your cord is 3.5mm.
Both ends of the plug are plugged in all the way.
Your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is connected if using only the output feature.

If the WiFi isn’t working on your Echo Dot, we’ve got ways to fix it!

If you’re using an Echo Show, there are other ways to use the audio-out features.

In Summary

The Echo Dot can use its aux output feature by playing music via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to another large speaker. However, it does not have an aux input, meaning it can’t use an aux cord to play music via an iPod or other device.

To use the Echo Dot’s aux output feature: