Alexa Blink Commands

If you’re like me, you want to get the most out of your smart home devices.

Connecting your Blink cameras to your Alexa-enabled devices takes your home setup to the next level.

The following guide has some of my favorite Alexa Blink commands and information on how to set them up and keep them up and running.

Getting Started with Alexa and Blink

Setting up Blink Cameras

Before you begin using Blink Alexa Commands, ensure your Blink cameras are set up and functional. Follow these steps to set up your Blink cameras:

1. Mount your Blink cameras in the desired locations.
2. Download the Blink app on your smartphone (iOS or Android).
3. Create a Blink account if you don’t already have one.
4. Follow the in-app instructions to configure and connect your cameras to your home Wi-Fi network.

Installing Alexa Skills

Once your Blink cameras are set up, it’s time to enable the Blink SmartHome Skill in your Alexa app.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
2. Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner and select “Skills & Games.”
3. Search for “Blink SmartHome” in the search bar.
4. Select the Blink SmartHome skill from the search results.
5. Tap “ENABLE TO USE” to install the Blink Alexa skill.

Linking Blink to Alexa

Now that you’ve installed the Alexa skill, you’ll need to link your Blink account to your Alexa app.

Here’s how:

1. After enabling the Blink SmartHome skill, you’ll be prompted to link your Blink account.
2. Enter the email address and password associated with your Blink account and tap “Continue.”
3. A verification code will be sent to the mobile phone number associated with your Blink account. Enter the verification code and tap “Verify Code.”
4. Once connected, your Blink devices should be discoverable in the Alexa app.

Now your Alexa-enabled devices can control and monitor your Blink cameras through voice commands.

Experiment with different commands and features to get the most out of your Alexa and Blink integration.

Basic Alexa Blink Commands

Alexa Blink Commands allow you to control your Blink devices with simple voice commands.

Here are some basic commands that can help with everyday use, such as arming and disarming the system, live view, and doorbell press announcements.

Arming and Disarming the System

To arm or disarm your Blink system using Alexa, use the following commands:

• Arm the system: “Alexa, arm Blink.”
• Disarm the system: “Alexa, disarm Blink.”

You will need to link your Blink account to your Alexa device and set up a voice code for security purposes before using these commands.

Live View

To view your Blink camera’s live feed on your Alexa-enabled device, such as an Echo Show or Fire TV, use the following command:

• “Alexa, show me [Camera Name].”

Replace “[Camera Name]” with the name you have given to your Blink camera.

Blink Doorbell Press Announcements

For doorbell press announcements, you need to have a Blink Video Doorbell and an Alexa-enabled device that supports notifications.

To enable doorbell press announcements, follow these steps:

1. Open the Alexa app and go to the Devices tab.
2. Select “All Devices.”
3. Locate your Blink Video Doorbell and select it.
4. Tap on “Announce when doorbell is pressed” to toggle the setting on.

Now your Alexa device will announce when someone presses your Blink Video Doorbell.

Advanced Alexa Integrations

Creating Alexa Routines

With Alexa routines, you can automate actions for your Blink cameras based on specific triggers, such as time of day, or when motion is detected.

To create a routine, follow these steps:

1. Open the Alexa app and tap the menu button.
2. Tap “Routines” and then tap the “+” icon to create a new routine.
3. Set a trigger, such as voice command, motion detection, or a schedule.
4. Add actions, like arming or disarming your Blink system, or turning on a device connected to your Alexa-enabled devices.

Using routines can enhance the functionality of your Blink SmartHome Alexa skill and create a more seamless automation experience.

Two-Way Audio

The Blink SmartHome Alexa skill also supports two-way audio for supported Blink cameras, allowing you to communicate with people in and around your home.

To use two-way audio, follow these steps:

1. Say the voice command “Alexa, show [camera name]” to view the live feed from your camera on your Fire or Echo device.
2. When the live feed is displayed, you can tap the microphone icon on your Alexa device or use a supported voice command to enable the two-way audio feature.

This integration allows for hands-free communication with visitors or house members without needing the Blink app.

Multi-Camera Live View

You can also view multiple Blink camera feeds simultaneously on Alexa devices, such as Fire or Fire TV devices.

To set up multi-camera live view, follow these steps:

1. Open the Blink app and link your cameras to your Alexa account via the “Link to Alexa” option.
2. In the Alexa app, create a group and add the relevant Blink cameras to the group.
3. Say the voice command “Alexa, show [group name]” to view the live feeds from all the cameras in the group on your Alexa device.

This feature is useful for keeping an eye on multiple areas of your home at once and offers seamless integration with your existing Alexa ecosystem.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

Device Discovery Issues: If Alexa doesn’t discover your Blink devices, try the following steps:

• In the Alexa app, tap Devices, then tap the “+” in the upper right-hand corner.
• Tap Add Device, select Cameras, and then choose Blink.
• Tap Discover Devices.
• If the issue persists, reset the Blink SmartHome skill by disabling and re-enabling it.

Camera Name Problems: To avoid confusion, ensure your camera names are unique and easy to remember. Alexa may not understand if they are too similar or complicated.

Hands-Free Monitoring: To use hands-free features with your Blink devices, make sure you have enabled the Blink SmartHome skill in your Alexa app.

Outdoor Camera Connectivity: If your outdoor camera has trouble connecting, ensure it is within range of your Wi-Fi and properly synced to your system.

Smart Lights Integration: For seamless control of your smart lights with Alexa, ensure you have added appropriate Alexa skills, and your smart lights are compatible with Alexa.

Fire Tablet Setup: To set up Blink with your Fire Tablet, follow the setup guide and download the Alexa app on your tablet.

Remember to keep your device firmware updated and refer to the available resources for more assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions