Amazon strips Alexa voice control for AUX input on older Echo speakers
Amazon has quietly removed the ability to use Alexa voice commands to play or pause audio coming through the 3.5mm aux input on some older Echo speakers. A Reddit user reported receiving a message from Amazon about the change, and an unnamed spokesperson reportedly confirmed it to Ars Technica, but Amazon gave The Verge no on-record explanation. Control of the aux port through the Alexa app's settings menu reportedly still works.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The silent removal of a voice feature without explanation leaves owners of affected Echo devices uncertain whether more functionality could be scaled back without notice. It also raises questions, unanswered by Amazon, about whether this reflects cost-cutting, hardware limitations, or a shift in how Amazon prioritizes support for legacy devices.
- Alexa can no longer control aux-input playback on some older Echo speakers via voice.
- Amazon has not publicly explained the reason for the change.
- App-based control of the aux port appears unaffected, unlike voice commands.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) — Since Alexa voice control over the aux input is being phased out on older Echo speakers, upgrading to the latest Echo Dot ensures you get full, current functionality and support. It's a compact, affordable way to stay current with Amazon's smart speaker ecosystem and avoid losing features down the road.
See Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: entertainment.slashdot.org, 2026-10-06
Published there as: “Alexa Can't Control the AUX Input On Amazon Echo Speakers Anymore”
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