Have you ever wished you could access all your favorite SiriusXM stations and shows hands-free on your Alexa devices at home? By linking your SiriusXM and Amazon accounts, you can enjoy ad-free music, live sports, comedy and news on your Echo, Fire TV and other Alexa gadgets!
As a tech professional and avid SiriusXM listener myself, I‘ll walk you through exactly how to enable the SiriusXM skill on Alexa using the mobile app or web browser. With some key troubleshooting advice in your back pocket, you‘ll be streaming the SiriusXM experience through Alexa in no time.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Background on SiriusXM and Alexa
- Step-by-step setup instructions
- Tips for customizing your experience
- How to listen across Alexa devices
- Troubleshooting suggestions
- Pros of listening via Alexa
Let‘s get started! This process only takes about 5 minutes once you have accounts set up.
What Are SiriusXM and Alexa?
First, a quick rundown of what these two services are and how they work.
SiriusXM is a satellite and streaming radio provider with over 300 ad-free music, sports, news and entertainment channels. It offers deep libraries of content across genres without any commercials.
Alexa is Amazon‘s cloud-based voice service that allows hands-free voice control. Alexa powers Echo devices, Fire TV, select wearables, wireless earbuds and more. It responds to voice commands to play media, answer questions, control smart home devices and use skills.
Skills are like apps that enable Alexa to do more. The SiriusXM skill, when enabled, lets you stream SiriusXM through any Alexa device.
With these two services linked, Alexa becomes your personal DJ for access to all your favorite SiriusXM programming!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to get SiriusXM rocking on Alexa:
Step 1: Download the Alexa App
First, install the free Alexa app on your mobile device if you don‘t already have it:
Sign into the app with your Amazon account credentials. This account should be the same one used to manage Echo/Alexa devices in your household.
Step 2: Enable the SiriusXM Skill
Now, head to Skills & Games within the Alexa app to find the SiriusXM skill:
- Tap "More" (bottom right) > "Skills & Games"
- Search for "SiriusXM"
- Tap the SiriusXM skill that appears
- Tap "Enable to Use"
Tapping "Enable" will redirect you to Amazon‘s website to link accounts in the next step.
Step 3: Link Your SiriusXM Account
- Tap "Sign in with SiriusXM" and enter your SiriusXM username and password when prompted
- Click "Enable Skill"
This connects your SiriusXM account to Alexa. Easy peasy!
Step 4: Make SiriusXM Your Default
To have Alexa play SiriusXM automatically when you request music:
- Tap "More" > "Settings"
- Choose “Music & Podcasts” > “Your Default Services”
- Next to “Music”, tap “Change”
- Select “SiriusXM” to make it your default music service
Step 5: Start Listening!
Try these voice commands to enjoy SiriusXM hands-free:
- “Alexa, play Howard 100”
- "Alexa, tune to Lithium"
- “Alexa, next channel”
You can also access pre-made playlists in your SiriusXM account!
| Voice Command Examples | Outcome |
|---|---|
| "Alexa, play my SiriusXM favorites playlist" | Plays saved playlist from SiriusXM account |
| "Alexa, play Andy Cohen‘s Radio channel" | Plays a SiriusXM host‘s exclusive channel |
According to SiriusXM, you can access over 300 channels spanning music, comedy, news and more hands-free on Alexa devices.
Listening on Multiple Devices
One major benefit of linking SiriusXM and Alexa is enjoying SiriusXM on Echo devices throughout your home:
| Device | Steps to Enable |
|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick/Cube | Enable Skill with same Amazon account |
| Fire TV Edition Smart TVs | Enable Skill with same Amazon account |
| Tablets, Headphones & More | Enable Skill with same Amazon account |
SiriusXM availability continues expanding across Alexa-powered devices. With one account setup, start singing "Livin‘ La Vida Loca" on your Echo Studio and finish belting the lyrics in your Fire TV Cube!
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any hiccups setting up or listening to SiriusXM, try these troubleshooting suggestions:
- Confirm internet connection
- Re-check account linking steps
- Disable/re-enable SiriusXM Skill
- Sign out and into accounts
- Reboot Alexa device
- Contact Alexa or SiriusXM support
Stuck on a certain step? Let me know in detail where you‘re hitting a snag and I‘m happy to help troubleshoot!
Why Alexa Over Other Devices?
Alexa has unique advantages for accessing SiriusXM anywhere at home through voice:
| Feature | Alexa | Phone/Car |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-Free Voice Control | ✅ | ❌ |
| Stream on Multiple Devices | ✅ | ❌ |
| Voice Activated | ✅ | ❌ |
| Custom Skills | ✅ | ❌ |
You can move room to room with seamless SiriusXM streaming over WiFi. Alexa also offers special SiriusXM skills you won‘t find in the SiriusXM phone apps.
I love the ability to get SiriusXM mood music pumping throughout the entire house instantly just by asking Alexa. It makes for awesome whole-home background party playlists.
Get Jiving to SiriusXM Tunes on Alexa
I hope this guide served you well in learning exactly how to link up SiriusXM streaming capabilities via Alexa-powered devices!
With just 5 quick steps, you can enable the SiriusXM skill and connect your existing accounts. Some tricks like setting a default music service ensure the best listening experience. Now Alexa can unleash a universe of ad-free radio channels, live sports and more on command whenever you want.
If you have any other questions about getting up and running with SiriusXM on Alexa, don‘t hesitate to drop them in the comments. Now get jammin‘ to those commercial-free hits!
