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How to connect your PS4, PS5, Xbox One with Alexa

In this guide we are going to talk about How Do I Connect My PS4 To Alexa?

The PS4, Xbox One, and even the Switch (albeit this one less so) function as complete entertainment centers with the current generation of gaming consoles. The Xbox One can be used as a smart home center due to Xbox’s own Google Assistant and Alexa interfaces. Although Sony’s PlayStation 4 is a touch behind the times in this regard, there are methods to combine your PS4 with Alexa and Google Home speakers, allowing you to operate the console and sync it with other devices. Sony has thrown up certain hurdles that prevent the PS4 from being more in tune with the rest of the house, but we’ll show you how to utilize Logitech’s Harmony hub, Alexa, Google Home (and even a little IFTTT magic, if you want) to pull off a few clever tricks with your PS4.

Table of Contents

Set Up The PS4 With Logitech Harmony

Logitech’s Harmony hub is currently the easiest way to link the PS4 to other smart home devices. On the other hand, the hub is $99.99 on its own, but you’ll have to pay extra if you want a controller. Otherwise, you may use the Harmony app on your smartphone to control everything. The hub is simple to set up – the app will guide you through the process – but you’ll want to keep it close to your PS4. If you have a smart TV, we suggest connecting it with the PS4 when it invites you to search for Wi-Fi devices.

Add The PS4 To Your Harmony Devices

You’ll need to manually add the PS4 through Bluetooth after connecting the hub to your Wi-Fi network and pairing it with your other smart devices since it won’t be able to detect your console via Wi-Fi.

To do this, take the following steps:

1) Select Devices from the app’s menu.
2) To add a new device, tap Edit Devices, then Add Device.
3) Select Entertainment Device from the drop-down menu that opens.
4) Type Sony in the manufacturer field.
5) You may write “PlayStation 4” for the model number. Unless “PlayStation 4” doesn’t work for any reason, there’s no need to dig out the specific model number.
6) Press Add, acknowledge the remarks, and complete the first section.

Also, it will then ask you whether you want to create an activity with the PS4, which may include additional hub-connected devices. Otherwise, tap Yes. You may do this later by creating an activity from the home screen.

After that, decide on your inputs.

1) You’ll be requested to set up your activity by choosing the devices you wish to manage at this time. Don’t worry, and also, you can always add more.

2) Turn on the PS4 after you’ve decided on your inputs.

3) Select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Settings from the drop-down menu.

4) Look for “Harmony Keyboard” in the list and choose it. If it still doesn’t appear, try pressing the pairing button on the hub’s rear.

Have you completed the task? Great. You should be ready to go immediately. The software will do a test run to ensure that everything is working correctly.

Before we go any further with the automation, the bad news is that Sony does not allow third-party devices to turn on the PS4. This means you’ll have to manually turn on the PS4 each time, either with the DualShock controller, a PS4 remote or on the console itself, even if the Harmony hub can turn it off and manage media playing.

There is another option, although it does not ensure success. You’ve probably heard of HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), allowing devices to control your TV over HDMI. This function is present on many current televisions, but not all. However, enabling it may enable the Harmony hub to turn on the PS4 — this worked for us. You must activate it on your PS4 by going to Settings > System and selecting “Enable HDMI Device Link.” Yes, Sony doesn’t even name it HDMI-CEC but trust us when we say that’s precisely what it is.

How To Connect Alexa To PS4?

Are you willing to spend an additional $100 to connect Alexa to your PS4? If so, the Harmony Hub device from Logitech should be purchased or used for the configuration.

The Logitech Harmony Hub is simple to set up using the Harmony app. Then, using the Harmony app, connect your TV and other smart devices to the Harmony through Wi-Fi.

After that, add the PS4 to the Harmony devices. This will need the usage of Bluetooth.

Follow the Harmony app’s instructions:

To add a new device to Harmony, go to Devices> Edit Devices> Add Device.
Select the Entertainment device category from the drop-down menu.
Fill in quick instructions such as the manufacturer’s name, model number, and so on. Simply entering PlayStation 4 in the model number should suffice.
To add it, tap ‘Add.’
Now you must create a PS4 activity, which entails selecting the devices you wish to manage through Harmony.
To do so, choose your inputs and then turn on the PS4.
Go to PS4 settings> Devices> Bluetooth settings to complete the process.
Under visible devices, look for the ‘Harmony Hub’ gadget. Push the pairing button on the hub if it’s not visible for pairing.
The setup is complete after the devices have been matched and connected.
To link Harmony to Alexa, go to the Alexa app and download the harmony skill. With voice control enabled, you may use voice commands to control your Harmony and PS4.

How To Connect Alexa To PS5?

Connecting Alexa to the PS5 is also not straightforward. However, you can set up your Sony PS5 to accept voice instructions through Alexa devices with a few tips and methods.

HDMI CEC holds the key (Consumer Electronics Control). This function is currently present in contemporary televisions. However, it goes by multiple names depending on the television maker. This HDMI connection enables you to control other devices through the HDMI connection.

To use this feature, do the following:

Toggle on the ‘Activate link of the HDMI device’ option on the PS5 console by going to Settings> Systems> HDMI.
However, the Alexa voice assistant must be compatible with your TV for this configuration to operate. When you use the HDMI CEC function and ask Alexa to turn on the TV, the connected devices, such as the PS5 (in this example), will also turn on.

This arrangement, however, is restricted to using voice commands to switch on the PS5.

How To Connect Alexa To Xbox One?

Alexa may be connected to Xbox One in two ways. When linked to Alexa, this is one of the gaming consoles that works without a hitch. There are three methods to connect Alexa to your Xbox One.

Using the Alexa App

Follow these steps to link Alexa to your Xbox One or Xbox console using the Alexa app:

On your smartphone, launch the Alexa app.
Go to the app menu, choose Add Device> Xbox, and follow the on-screen instructions.

You may enable the Alexa skill Xbox by going to More> Skills and Games> searching for Xbox> Enable to Use.
You’ll need to check in to your Microsoft account for this. After you’ve logged in, tap the close button. Alexa will now find your Xbox. Select the Device and click Continue after it has been found.
Select the Alexa device you wish to connect the Xbox too, and you’re done.

Using the Xbox Video Game Console

Follow these steps to link Alexa to your Xbox gaming system.

On your gaming console remote, press the Xbox button.
Enable Digital Assistants in Profile and System > Settings> Devices and Connections> Digital Assistants
Press the Xbox button on the gaming console remote once more.
Profile and Systems> Settings> General > Power mode and startup is the path to take.
Select instant from the power mode drop-down menu.
Even after allowing Alexa to connect to Xbox, you must still connect Alexa to Xbox using the steps outlined above.

Using a Computer

To use the PC to link Alexa to Xbox, follow these steps:

Open your computer’s web browser.
Look up Alexa.amazon.com.
Navigate to your Amazon account and sign in.
From the left menu bar, choose Skills.
Look for Xbox in the skills section’s search box.
Open Alexa’s Xbox skills (represented by the Xbox symbol).
Enable should be selected.
Log in to your Microsoft account now.
By selecting ‘Yes,’ you permit Microsoft to access your information via the app.
On the computer screen, close the window.
Hit the Xbox button on your Xbox console remote and choose Home.
Ale has been paired to your Xbox.