Can I use an Echo device outside the US with Alexa

International Expansion of Echo and Alexa

Amazon has expanded the availability of Echo devices with Alexa to over 80 countries globally. Beyond the US, Echo devices are officially sold and supported in countries including the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Canada, Australia, and many others in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Amazon launched international versions of popular Echo models such as the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus in these markets. However, some models like the Echo Show are not always included in every international rollout.

Users can order international versions of Echo devices from regional Amazon sites like Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, or Amazon.com with shipping available to various countries. Alexa's language support includes primarily English variants (US, UK, Indian), German, and Japanese, covering most of the markets where Echo is officially present.

Using US-Version Echo Outside the US

It is possible to use a US-purchased Echo device outside the US, but there are some challenges:

1. Power Compatibility: Echo adapters generally support 110-240V input, making them usable in most countries with just a plug adapter, not a transformer.
2. Amazon Alexa App Availability: The Alexa app might not be available in all countries' app stores, requiring workarounds such as installing through the Amazon Appstore or changing device region settings.
3. Location Setting: The device location must be set manually through the Alexa app or Alexa web interface for local services like weather and traffic info to work accurately.
4. AI Response Localisation: When a country or city is not listed, users have to specify locations explicitly to get accurate local information.
5. Features Limitations: Some features like local news, shopping, and certain Alexa skills might be unavailable or limited outside supported countries.

Alexa Functionality in Non-Supported Countries

For countries where Alexa/Echo is not officially supported, Alexa can still function but with reduced capabilities:

- An international version Echo device is recommended, specifically newer generations like Echo 4th gen, Echo Dot 5th gen, Echo Pop, Echo Show 5 (3rd gen), and Echo Show 8 (2nd gen).
- The Alexa app is essential for setup and control, which might require changing app store country or region, potentially impacting other apps and subscriptions.
- Features blocked on international models include shopping, podcasts, Audible, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and some local news/traffic.
- Functions generally supported internationally include playback streaming via Spotify, TuneIn, and Amazon Playback Unlimited, smart home controls, timers, alarms, calendar, weather, and shopping lists.
- Alexa in these regions speaks mainly English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish and does not support many local languages.

Setting Up Alexa Abroad and Practical Tips

When taking or using an Echo device abroad, setup includes:

- Connecting to the local Wi-Fi network by initiating the Wi-Fi pairing mode on the device and using the Alexa app to supply the new network password.
- Changing the device's location setting in the Alexa app or on alexa.amazon.com to the country and address of the new location. This allows Alexa to provide accurate weather, local business info, and other location-based services.
- Some features such as local news briefings, traffic reports, and business searches become accurate post this location update.
- Alexa can still play playback and podcasts from supported providers almost as usual.
- Smart home device control remains functional for connected devices despite geographic location, potentially even allowing control of home devices back in the US.
- Voice commands may need to include explicit location names until the region is properly configured.

An example from travelers reveals successful use of an Echo Dot on holiday, accessing local weather and information, translation help for supported languages, and playback streaming without issue. However, limitations remain, such as no support for some local languages like Cantonese and Mandarin, where Alexa falls behind competitors like Google Assistant.

Limitations and Warnings

- Alexa devices are not designed for outdoor use as they are not water or dust resistant.
- Some Alexa features are region-locked and may not function outside supported countries or setups.
- Certain Alexa skills and content services may be restricted.
- Users need to be aware of app availability and potential workarounds for downloading and installing the Alexa app.
- Changing app store regions to get the Alexa app may disrupt other subscriptions or apps.
- Some functionalities like Alexa calling and messaging do work internationally between devices connected to the internet, regardless of country.

Summary

In conclusion, one can definitely use an Amazon Echo device with Alexa outside the US, either by buying an international version or using a US version with adjusted settings and some workaround steps. The core Alexa functions — like voice activation, playback streaming, timers, alarms, smart home control, and general queries — remain widely functional. However, limitations exist in localized content, features tied to specific countries, app availability, supported languages, and device models. Proper setup involves connecting to local Wi-Fi, setting the device location correctly, and understanding which services will or won't work in the chosen country. This makes the Echo a valuable travel companion or home assistant in many countries but with some caveats depending on region and device version.