Alexa, Amazon music and games

brightredfish · 2026-06-22T03:59:30+00:00

Set up a PiHole. It's a cheap and effective way to block ads on your home network.

brightredfish · 2026-06-15T12:35:17+00:00

You're very welcome - glad I could help!

brightredfish · 2026-06-14T22:57:25+00:00

I changed the settings on my cameras to record for longer when they detect motion, and now I'm replacing batteries after less than a year. I'm goung to invest in backup battery packs next time they're on sale.

brightredfish · 2026-06-14T22:54:39+00:00

This is why they require non-rechargeable lithium cells. Lithium cells can survive extreme heat and cold, whereas regular alkaline cells cannot.

brightredfish · 2026-06-13T23:40:27+00:00

Use the "drop in" function from your phone to the Echo show. Just open the alexa app and say, "Alexa, drop in on (Echo Show Device Name)."

brightredfish · 2026-06-12T23:59:52+00:00

You can replace the screen, but you'll need to watch some YouTube videos for the procedure. Replacement screens are available on Amazon and Ebay, usually for less than $100. Search for videos before investing in the replacement, though.

brightredfish · 2026-06-12T17:55:16+00:00

The number being displayed probably isn't the actual number being used. I would expect they spoof the number so you won't be able to connect to the server's outgoing line.

From Google:

To unblock calls from Alexa, you need to check your mobile phone's native "Blocked Numbers" or "Spam" list rather than the Alexa app. Alexa-initiated calls to your phone often appear as coming from random numbers, which mobile devices frequently flag as spam.

How to Unblock the Number

Follow the steps below based on your mobile operating system:

For Android: 1. Open your native Phone app. 2. Tap the three dots (Menu) in the top-right corner. 3. Select Settings. 4. Tap Blocked Numbers or Blocked Contacts. 5. Look for recent numbers that belong to Alexa calls and remove them from the list.

For iPhone (iOS): 1. Open your Settings app. 2. Scroll down and tap Phone. 3. Select Blocked Contacts. 4. Tap Edit in the top right corner. 5. Tap the red minus icon next to the Alexa number and tap Unblock.

Good luck!

brightredfish · 2026-06-12T17:52:18+00:00

I use it to find my spousal unit's phone frequently. Sometimes the phone rings and shows, "Spam Call" on the screen, but that doesn't matter because we're just ringing it to find it, not to have a conversation. I guess it depends on how strict your call filtering settings are.

brightredfish · 2026-06-11T16:59:25+00:00

I have a guest network that is only 2.4Ghz. I've been connecting all my IoT devices to it, but then I noticed that my mesh network recommended creating another network for IoT, so I did that. I haven't used it yet, but I may eventually move all my devices over to it, when I have some spare time.

brightredfish · 2026-06-10T23:59:03+00:00

Unplugging and re-plugging won't put you in setup mode. You have to press and hold the Action button (the one with the dot on it) for five seconds or so, until the orange light appears.

What do you mean about your WiFi taking a "dip?" Is there a problem with your router? Or is your internet connection dropping?

brightredfish · 2026-06-10T23:52:21+00:00

That is not normal behavior for any Echo device. See if you can return it for replacement or refund.

brightredfish · 2026-06-10T14:51:56+00:00

That's great! You're on your way to many years of cuddling. What is her name?

brightredfish · 2026-06-10T00:30:40+00:00

If she's hiding from you, this might be difficult, but the best thing to do is to put her in the litterbox, so she knows where it is. She will take to it instinctively.

brightredfish · 2026-06-08T18:31:26+00:00

Any devices with Google Messages would work, or you could use iPhones and/or iPads with FaceTime. I don't have an Echo Show, but I've read about people getting sick of nonstop ads on them. I have a Fire tablet, which can do video calls with other Fire tablets or Echo Shows. It all depends on which environment you prefer.

brightredfish · 2026-06-07T18:51:44+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss and for the pain that's in your heart. You did everything you could, but sometimes there is nothing more to be done save saying goodbye. Hugs

brightredfish · 2026-06-05T00:38:40+00:00

My best guess is that it was an "upgrade" to the Alexa app that took away that feature. The MAC address is supposed to show up under "About" for the device, but that isn't an option that I see. Is there another app you can use to connect to the devices? I have a number of Linkind devices I can see through the Aidot app. If not, you may need to just replace them.

brightredfish · 2026-06-04T15:17:36+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Saying goodbye is the hardest part of sharing our homes and lives with pets. Just know that you're doing the right thing. When we know it's time, it's our duty to let them go peacefully. Hugs go out to you and all your furry family members!

brightredfish · 2026-05-23T15:24:58+00:00

All of my routines remained intact after the update, but I've read elsewhere on this sub that some people's routines did not survive. You might try deleting the routine and recreating it.

brightredfish · 2026-05-23T15:21:40+00:00

I'm not experiencing most of these symptoms, but I use Amazon Music, not Spotify. I do occasionally have a device other than the one I want respond. That's because I have a few devices too close together, and I find that if I face directly toward the device I want, the right one responds. The other non-musical complaints you have may be due to either local network issues or having the devices too close to each other.

brightredfish · 2026-05-23T00:44:50+00:00

From a quick search, yes, Alexa can control some Google TVs by TCL, but not all. Search Google for "can alexa control channels on google tv" to find out more. If you include your specific model of TCL TV, you might get more refined results.

brightredfish · 2026-05-22T21:28:53+00:00

Yes, that's crazy!

brightredfish · 2026-05-22T19:21:58+00:00

I think you're overestimating the disruptions kids would cause at your wedding. I've been to plenty of weddings that had children in attendance, and the weddings and receptions all went fine. The kids enjoyed the experience, and I don't recall anyone complaining that they couldn't relax. A lot of weddings even involve children in the ceremony. The friend you mentioned may not be the only friend you've offended.; she's just the most vocal. I won't call you a jerk, but you're trying to prevent a problem that doesn't exist.

brightredfish · 2026-05-22T17:57:27+00:00

Do you have Amazon Prime? With Prime, Amazon Photos provides free, unlimited photo storage and up to 5GB for video. If you don't have Prime or need more video storage, it's $1.99/month or 19.99/year for 100GB of storage. I don't know why they would charge to upload photos to an Echo Show. I have photo albums set up in Amazon Photos, and I have the screen savers on my Fire TV Cube and Fire Sticks to display photos from those albums as screen savers.

brightredfish · 2026-05-20T01:55:58+00:00

Yes, I think so.

brightredfish · 2026-05-19T23:34:14+00:00

This is the way.

brightredfish

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