Echo Spot 2024 Setup Guide: Your Smart Alarm Clock That Does EVERYTHING (Step-by-Step for Beginners!)

Transform your bedside table with Amazon's newest smart display—learn to set it up, customize the clock face, control your home, and unlock hidden Alexa features in minutes.

Author

Christine Emmanuelle Bago
December 13, 2025

In partnership with

Hey there! 👋

Just unboxed the new Echo Spot 2024 and wondering how to set it up? You're in for a treat! Amazon's latest smart speaker combines a beautiful customizable clock display with the full power of Alexa—perfect for your nightstand, desk, or kitchen counter.

This guide walks you through everything from initial setup to customizing clock faces, connecting Bluetooth devices, and controlling your smart home. Even if you've never used an Alexa device before, you'll be asking questions, setting timers, and checking the weather like a pro in no time. Let's dive in!

🎥 Watch the Full Video Tutorial

👆 Watch the complete setup demonstration above to see the Echo Spot in action, including the mandatory software update process, clock face customization, and live Alexa commands. This newsletter covers the essentials, but the video shows you every screen and feature!

What You'll Learn Today

By the end of this guide, you'll know how to:

✅ Unbox and power on your Echo Spot for the first time
✅ Navigate the mandatory software update (and how long it takes)
✅ Customize clock faces, themes, and display settings
✅ Connect Bluetooth devices to use as a speaker
✅ Control smart home devices with voice commands
✅ Adjust volume, brightness, and Do Not Disturb settings
✅ Set up routines and advanced Alexa features

📦 Unboxing Your Echo Spot: What's in the Box?

The Echo Spot arrives in clean Amazon packaging with the Alexa logo prominently displayed. Here's what you'll find inside:

  • Echo Spot smart display (with built-in speaker)

  • Power adapter with attached cable

  • Quick start guide in multiple languages

  • Safety and product information booklet

🔍 Quick Tip: The Echo Spot is the first Echo device with a screen specifically designed for bedside use. Unlike the Echo Show, it focuses on clock display with smart features built in!

🔍 Getting to Know Your Echo Spot

Before we power it on, let's familiarize ourselves with the physical controls.

Top Controls:

  • Volume Down button (left side) - Decrease speaker volume

  • Volume Up button (right side) - Increase speaker volume

  • Microphone Mute button (center, circular) - Disable/enable Alexa listening

Back of Device:

  • Power port - Where you plug in the included adapter

Front Display:

  • Touchscreen - Swipe and tap to control settings and features

  • Clock display - Customizable faces and themes

  • Visual feedback - Shows weather, timers, alarms, and more

⚠️ Important Note: The mute button physically disconnects the microphone. When activated, a red light appears, and Alexa cannot hear you until you unmute it.

⚡ First Power-On & Initial Setup

Ready to bring your Echo Spot to life? Let's get started!

Initial Boot Steps:

  1. Plug the power adapter into the back of the Echo Spot

  2. Connect the adapter to a wall outlet

  3. The Amazon logo will appear on the screen

  4. Wait for the spinning Echo logo animation

  5. A QR code will appear with "Scan to open the Alexa app"

🔍 Quick Tip: If you purchased the Echo Spot through your Amazon account while logged in, Amazon automatically links it to your account. This makes setup much faster than manually pairing!

📱 Download the Alexa App

You'll need the Alexa app on your smartphone to complete setup.

Getting the App:

  1. Open your App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android)

  2. Search for "Amazon Alexa"

  3. Download and install the official app

  4. Open the app and sign in with your Amazon account

Scanning the QR Code:

  1. Open your phone's Camera app

  2. Point it at the QR code on the Echo Spot screen

  3. Tap the notification to open the Alexa app

  4. The app will automatically detect your new device

▶️ Try This Now: If the QR code method doesn't work, you can manually add the device in the Alexa app by tapping the "+" icon and selecting "Add Device."

⏳ The Mandatory Software Update (Be Patient!)

Here's something important—your Echo Spot will need to update before you can use it.

What to Expect:

  • The update begins automatically after initial boot

  • You'll see rotating images (music, calendar, packages) on the screen

  • A progress bar shows update status

  • Update time: 15-45 minutes depending on your internet speed

⚠️ Important Note: DO NOT unplug the device during the update! The Echo Spot needs to stay connected to power throughout this process. The update downloads over your Wi-Fi, so faster internet = faster update.

Update Screen Features:

  • Animated slideshow of Echo Spot capabilities

  • Semi-circular progress indicator

  • Current status messages

  • Three dots animation when finalizing

🔍 Quick Tip: Use this downtime to explore the Alexa app, check out smart home devices you can add, or plan where you'll place your Echo Spot permanently.

When the Update Completes:

  1. The device will restart automatically

  2. Three white dots will appear on a black screen

  3. The time and date will finally display

  4. You'll hear a "Ready" notification tone

🎨 Customizing Your Clock Display

Now for the fun part—making the Echo Spot look exactly how you want it!

Accessing Display Settings:

Method 1: Touch Screen

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen

  2. Tap the Settings icon (gear symbol)

  3. Select "Clock and Theme"

Method 2: Alexa App

  1. Open the Alexa app on your phone

  2. Tap "Devices" at the bottom

  3. Select your Echo Spot

  4. Tap "Clock & Theme"

Changing Clock Faces

The Echo Spot offers multiple clock styles to match your preferences!

Available Clock Face Options:

  • Digital displays (multiple modern styles)

  • Analog clock (traditional clock hands)

  • Minimalist designs (clean, simple layouts)

  • Information-rich displays (date, weather integration)

How to Change Clock Faces:

  1. Swipe down and tap Settings

  2. Select "Clock and Theme"

  3. Tap "Clock Face"

  4. Scroll through the available options

  5. Tap your preferred style

  6. Press the checkmark to confirm

  7. The display updates instantly

▶️ Try This Now: Cycle through all the clock faces to find your favorite. You can change it as often as you like—daily, weekly, or whenever you want a fresh look!

Customizing Color Themes

Choose from six vibrant color schemes to personalize your Echo Spot!

Available Theme Colors:

  • Blue (classic Alexa color)

  • Orange (energetic and warm)

  • Purple (modern and stylish)

  • Green (calm and natural)

  • Pink (soft and friendly)

  • Teal (darker green, sophisticated)

How to Change Themes:

  1. Go to Settings > Clock and Theme

  2. Tap "Theme"

  3. Select your preferred color

  4. Press the checkmark

  5. The entire interface updates to your chosen color

🔍 Quick Tip: The theme color affects more than just the clock—it changes the accent colors throughout the entire interface, including timers, weather displays, and menu highlights!

Clock Format (12-Hour vs 24-Hour)

Switch between standard and military time formats.

Changing Time Format:

  1. Settings > Clock and Theme

  2. Tap "Clock Format"

  3. Toggle the 24-hour switch

  4. The clock immediately updates

⚠️ Important Note: The 24-hour format (military time) displays times like 14:00 instead of 2:00 PM. This is common outside the United States but may feel unfamiliar if you're used to the 12-hour format.

🔆 Display & Brightness Settings

Control how your screen looks in different lighting conditions.

Manual Brightness Control:

Quick Access Method:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen

  2. The brightness slider appears first

  3. Slide right to increase brightness

  4. Slide left to decrease brightness

🔍 Quick Tip: Adjust brightness based on room lighting. Brighter for daytime desk use, dimmer for nightstand sleeping.

Adaptive Brightness:

This feature automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient light!

How to Enable:

  1. Swipe down > Settings

  2. Select "Display"

  3. Toggle Adaptive Brightness ON

The Echo Spot uses sensors to detect room lighting and adjusts the screen accordingly. Bright rooms = brighter screen, dark rooms = dimmer screen.

Night Mode:

Automatically darkens the display during nighttime hours.

Night Mode Features:

  • Reduces screen brightness at night

  • Minimizes sleep disruption

  • Automatically activates based on your location's sunset time

  • Enabled by default

▶️ Try This Now: Place your hand over the screen to block light, then remove it. With Adaptive Brightness on, you'll see the screen adjust in real-time!

🔊 Volume & Sound Settings

Control how loud (or quiet) your Echo Spot responds.

Physical Volume Controls:

The easiest method—just use the top buttons!

  • Press Volume Up (right button) - Increases by one level

  • Press Volume Down (left button) - Decreases by one level

  • Hold either button - Continuously adjusts volume

  • Visual slider appears on screen showing current level

Touchscreen Volume Control:

  1. Swipe down > Settings

  2. Select "Sounds"

  3. Adjust "Media Volume" slider

  4. Drag left (quieter) or right (louder)

Separate Alarm Volume:

Your alarm, timer, and notification sounds have independent volume control!

Adjusting Alarm Volume:

  1. Settings > Sounds

  2. Find "Alarms, Timers & Notifications"

  3. Adjust the separate slider

  4. Set it higher than media volume so you don't miss alarms

⚠️ Important Note: Many people make the mistake of lowering all volume before bed, then missing their morning alarm. Always keep alarm volume at 70%+ if you rely on it as your wake-up!

🔍 Quick Tip: Test your alarm volume during the day by saying "Alexa, set a timer for 5 seconds" to hear how loud it'll sound in the morning.

🎵 Using Echo Spot as a Bluetooth Speaker

Turn your Echo Spot into a high-quality speaker for your phone!

Connecting via Voice Command (Easiest Method):

  1. Say "Alexa, pair Bluetooth" or "Alexa, connect to Bluetooth"

  2. Alexa responds: "Searching for Bluetooth devices"

  3. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone

  4. Look for "Echo Spot [device code]"

  5. Tap to connect

  6. Listen for "Now connected to Bluetooth" confirmation

Manual Bluetooth Connection:

From Echo Spot:

  1. Swipe down > Settings

  2. Select "Bluetooth"

  3. The device enters pairing mode

From Your Phone:

  1. Open phone Settings > Bluetooth

  2. Enable Bluetooth if needed

  3. Scroll to "Other Devices" or "Available Devices"

  4. Find "Echo Spot" in the list

  5. Tap to connect

⚠️ Important Note: Some devices show the Echo Spot with a serial number code instead of a friendly name. Look for entries like "Echo-2GJ" or similar—that's your device!

Using Bluetooth Audio:

Once connected, anything you play on your phone comes through the Echo Spot:

  • Music apps (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music)

  • Podcasts

  • Audiobooks

  • Videos (though you'll only get audio, not video on the screen)

  • Phone calls

Disconnecting Bluetooth:

  • Say "Alexa, disconnect Bluetooth"

  • Or manually disconnect from your phone's Bluetooth settings

🔍 Quick Tip: The Echo Spot remembers your device! Next time, just say "Alexa, connect to Bluetooth" and it'll automatically reconnect to the last paired device.

🏠 Controlling Smart Home Devices

The Echo Spot shines as a smart home control hub!

Voice Commands for Smart Home:

If you've already connected smart devices (lights, plugs, thermostats) in the Alexa app:

Common Commands:

  • "Alexa, turn on/off [light name]"

  • "Alexa, turn off all lights"

  • "Alexa, dim the bedroom lights to 50%"

  • "Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees"

  • "Alexa, lock the front door"

Example in Action:

Say: "Alexa, turn off all lights" Alexa: "Okay" Result: All connected lights in your home turn off instantly!

Adding Smart Devices:

In the Alexa App:

  1. Tap the "+" icon (top right)

  2. Select "Add Device"

  3. Choose device type (Light, Plug, Lock, etc.)

  4. Select the brand (Philips Hue, TP-Link, Wyze, etc.)

  5. Follow on-screen pairing instructions

  6. Name your devices logically ("Living Room Lamp," "Kitchen Lights")

🔍 Quick Tip: Use room names in device names for easier voice control. "Bedroom lamp" is clearer than "Lamp 1" when you're giving voice commands!

▶️ Try This Now: If you have any smart bulbs or plugs, set one up right now. The feeling of controlling your lights with your voice is genuinely magical the first time!

⏰ Setting Alarms, Timers & Reminders

The Echo Spot excels as a smart alarm clock with visual feedback!

Setting Alarms:

Voice Command Method:

  • "Alexa, set an alarm for 7 AM"

  • "Alexa, wake me up at 6:30 AM"

  • "Alexa, set an alarm for 7 AM every weekday"

The screen displays your alarm confirmation with the time and date.

Managing Alarms:

  • "Alexa, cancel my 7 AM alarm"

  • "Alexa, what alarms do I have?"

  • "Alexa, snooze" (when alarm is ringing)

Snooze with a Tap:

Here's a cool hidden feature—you can snooze alarms by touch!

How to Snooze:

  1. When alarm sounds, press the top of the Echo Spot

  2. Use more than one finger (two or three fingers work best)

  3. Press firmly on the top surface

  4. The alarm snoozes for 9 minutes

⚠️ Important Note: This multi-finger tap gesture only works for snoozing, not for dismissing alarms. You'll need to say "Alexa, stop" to turn off the alarm completely.

Setting Timers:

Perfect for cooking, workouts, or productivity techniques!

Timer Commands:

  • "Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes"

  • "Alexa, set a pizza timer for 12 minutes"

  • "Alexa, cancel the timer"

Visual Timer Display:

The Echo Spot shows a beautiful visual countdown on the screen, so you can glance at remaining time without asking.

When Timer Goes Off:

  • Say "Alexa, stop" to dismiss

  • Or tap the checkmark on the screen

▶️ Try This Now: Say "Alexa, set a timer for 10 seconds" to see the visual countdown in action. The animated display is way better than a regular clock timer!

☁️ Asking Alexa Questions

Your Echo Spot is connected to the internet, making it a powerful information assistant.

Weather:

  • "Alexa, what's the weather?"

  • "Alexa, what's the weather this weekend?"

  • "Alexa, will it rain today?"

The screen displays weather information with icons, high/low temperatures, and current conditions.

News & Information:

  • "Alexa, what's the news?"

  • "Alexa, who's the CEO of Amazon?"

  • "Alexa, what's the stock price of [company]?"

Entertainment:

  • "Alexa, tell me a joke"

  • "Alexa, play trivia"

  • "Alexa, tell me a fun fact"

Calculations & Conversions:

  • "Alexa, what's 17 times 23?"

  • "Alexa, convert 50 pounds to kilograms"

  • "Alexa, how many cups in a gallon?"

🔍 Quick Tip: The blue bar at the bottom of the screen lights up whenever Alexa is listening to you. If it's not appearing, check that the microphone isn't muted!

🔕 Do Not Disturb Mode

Perfect for when you need uninterrupted sleep or focus time.

Enabling Do Not Disturb:

Quick Method:

  1. Swipe down from the top

  2. Tap the "Do Not Disturb" icon (bell with slash)

  3. Icon turns green when active

What Gets Silenced:

  • Incoming call notifications

  • Message notifications

  • Alexa announcements from other Echo devices

  • Drop-in calls

What Still Works:

  • Alarms you've already set

  • Timers

  • Voice commands you initiate

  • The clock display

Disabling Do Not Disturb:

Just swipe down and tap the icon again!

⚠️ Important Note: Do Not Disturb doesn't affect alarms. Your morning alarm will still sound even with DND enabled—which is exactly what you want for a bedside device!

📲 Advanced Features in the Alexa App

The Alexa app unlocks even more customization and control.

Accessing Your Echo Spot Settings:

  1. Open the Alexa app

  2. Tap "Devices" at the bottom

  3. Select "Echo & Alexa"

  4. Choose your "Echo Spot"

Remote Control:

From the app, you can:

  • Adjust volume remotely

  • Enable/disable Do Not Disturb

  • Drop in (two-way communication)

  • View Bluetooth connection status

  • Check Wi-Fi network info

  • Access all device settings

Setting Up Routines:

Routines automate multiple actions with one command!

Example Routine - "Good Morning":

Trigger: You say "Alexa, good morning"

Actions:

  1. Turn on bedroom lights

  2. Read the weather forecast

  3. Tell you your calendar appointments

  4. Play your favorite morning playlist

Creating a Routine:

  1. Alexa app > More > Routines

  2. Tap the "+" icon

  3. Name your routine

  4. Choose "When this happens" (trigger)

  5. Add "Add action" (what should happen)

  6. Select which device runs it

  7. Save

▶️ Try This Now: Create a simple "Goodnight" routine that turns off all lights and says "Sweet dreams" when you say "Alexa, goodnight." Takes 2 minutes and you'll use it every night!

🏡 Location & Room Assignment

Help Alexa understand where your Echo Spot lives.

During Initial Setup:

The app asks for:

  • Room location (Bedroom, Office, Kitchen, Living Room, etc.)

  • This helps with smart home control

  • Room-specific commands work better

Why This Matters:

If you say "Alexa, turn on the lights" in your bedroom, Alexa knows you mean bedroom lights (if you've set up rooms correctly).

🔍 Quick Tip: Even if you skipped this during setup, you can always add room assignment later in the Alexa app under device settings.

🔐 Privacy & Amazon Sidewalk

Understanding your privacy options.

Microphone Mute:

The physical mute button on top completely disconnects the microphone. When active:

  • Red light glows on the device

  • Alexa cannot hear you

  • Voice commands won't work

  • Perfect for private conversations

Amazon Sidewalk:

During setup, you may be asked about Amazon Sidewalk.

What is Amazon Sidewalk?

  • Creates a shared network between nearby Amazon devices

  • Extends range of devices like Ring cameras and Tile trackers

  • Uses a small portion of your internet bandwidth

  • Helps your neighbors' devices (and yours) stay connected

Should You Enable It?

  • Pros: Better device connectivity, helps the community

  • Cons: Shares tiny amount of bandwidth, some privacy concerns

You can enable or disable this anytime in settings. If unsure, start with it disabled.

🛠️ Device Options & Maintenance

Viewing System Information:

  1. Swipe down > Settings > Device Options

  2. View:

    • Software version (OS 1.1 or higher)

    • Serial number

    • Wi-Fi MAC address

Factory Reset:

If you need to reset your Echo Spot:

  1. Settings > Device Options > Factory Reset

  2. Confirm the reset

  3. Device wipes all settings and returns to setup mode

⚠️ Important Note: Only factory reset if you're giving away the device or troubleshooting serious issues. You'll need to set everything up again from scratch!

Getting Help:

From Device: Settings > Help > Troubleshooting guides

From Alexa App: Access support articles and contact Amazon customer service

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🎯 Top 3 Takeaways

Before we wrap up, here are the most important things to remember:

  1. Be Patient with the Initial Update ⏳
    The mandatory software update takes 15-45 minutes. Don't unplug the device! Use this time to download the Alexa app and explore settings. Once updated, everything works smoothly.

  2. Customize for Your Bedside 🎨
    Take 5 minutes to choose your favorite clock face, color theme, and adjust brightness for nighttime viewing. The visual customization options make this more than just a smart speaker—it's actually a beautiful bedside clock.

  3. Master Voice + Touch Control 🗣️
    You have two ways to control everything: voice commands and touchscreen swipes. Use voice for quick actions ("Alexa, what's the weather?") and touch for detailed settings adjustments. Combining both methods gives you the most efficient experience.

❓ Common FAQs & Troubleshooting

Q: How long does the initial software update take?
A: Typically 15-45 minutes depending on your internet speed. The update downloads over Wi-Fi, so faster connections complete quicker. Don't unplug the device during this process!

Q: The automatic setup isn't working. What do I do?
A: Make sure you're logged into the same Amazon account on your phone and the account used to purchase the Echo Spot. If issues persist, manually add the device in the Alexa app by tapping "+" > "Add Device" > "Amazon Echo" > "Echo Spot."

Q: Can I use the Echo Spot without an Amazon Prime subscription?
A: Yes! The Echo Spot works fully without Prime. You won't get some Prime-specific features (like free music), but all core functionality—alarms, timers, weather, smart home control, Bluetooth—works perfectly.

Q: My Alexa isn't responding to voice commands. Help!
A: First, check if the microphone is muted (red light on top). If not muted, make sure you're saying the wake word "Alexa" clearly. Try: "Alexa, volume 7" to test if she's hearing you.

Q: Can I change the wake word from "Alexa" to something else?
A: Yes! In the Alexa app, go to your Echo Spot settings and select "Wake Word." Options include: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer (for Star Trek fans!).

Q: The screen is too bright/dim. How do I fix it?
A: Swipe down from the top and adjust the brightness slider immediately. For automatic adjustment, enable Adaptive Brightness in Settings > Display.

Q: How do I use this as a Bluetooth speaker?
A: Say "Alexa, pair Bluetooth" or manually go to Settings > Bluetooth. Then connect from your phone's Bluetooth settings. Once connected, all phone audio plays through the Echo Spot.

Q: Can I connect multiple Echo Spots together for multi-room audio?
A: Yes! In the Alexa app, create a "Speaker Group" and add multiple Echo devices. Then play music across all rooms simultaneously.

Q: Will my alarms still work if the internet goes out?
A: Alarms already set will still work without internet. However, you won't be able to set new alarms via voice command until connectivity returns.

Q: How do I prevent Alexa from purchasing things accidentally?
A: In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing and either disable it completely or require a voice confirmation code.

Q: The display shows the wrong time. How do I fix it?
A: The Echo Spot gets time from the internet automatically. Make sure your Wi-Fi is connected and your location is set correctly in the Alexa app. The time zone is based on your address in Amazon account settings.

🎬 Ready to Become an Echo Spot Expert?

This guide covered everything you need to get started, but there's so much more to discover! Watch the full video tutorial to see the Echo Spot in action, including live demonstrations of voice commands, clock customization, and smart home control.

👆 Watch the Complete Tutorial Video Here

In the video, you'll see:

  • Real-time unboxing and setup process

  • The complete 45-minute software update sequence

  • Live demonstrations of every clock face option

  • Voice command examples with actual responses

  • Bluetooth pairing with both iPhone and Android

  • Smart home control demonstrations

  • Pro tips based on hands-on experience

💬 We Want to Hear From You!

Are you using an Echo Spot? What's your favorite clock face? Any creative smart home routines you've created? Reply to this email and share your experience—we love hearing from our readers!

And if this guide helped you set up your Echo Spot, forward it to a friend or family member who just got one. They'll thank you! 🙌

Until next time,
The AppFind Team