Microsoft is working to bring Amazon Alexa support to Xbox One consoles, and a test preview of this functionality is available now for Insiders.
Starting immediately, the software giant is releasing an Xbox Skill for Alexa, which allows a range of voice activated devices, such as Amazon’s Echo, Sonos, and other to control the game console using voice commands, just like using Cortana. Using this new feature, you can power on your Xbox One, adjust volume, start games and apps, capture screenshots, launch a broadcast, and a lot more.
If the Xbox Skill is enabled on your voice-enabled device, you can simply say a command like: “Alexa, start Rocket League” and the command will turn on Xbox One, sign in to Xbox Live, and launch the game.
The new Xbox Skill works on Alexa as well as on Cortana-enabled devices, which means that you can use your Windows 10 devices, as well as the Amazon Echo, Harman Kardon Invoke, Sonos One, or the Cortana and Alexa apps on iOS and Android to voice control your Xbox One console.
How to enable Xbox Skill on Alexa
If you want to control your Xbox One using Alexa, use these steps:
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Sign into Xbox One.
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Sign in with your Amazon Account.
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Click the Enable button.
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Sign in with your Microsoft account to link the skill.
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Alexa will discover your console, then follow the instructions to pair your console with Alexa.
Once you’ve completed the steps, you can start using voice commands with Alexa to interact with your Xbox One.
How to enable Xbox Skill on Cortana
If you want to control your Xbox One using your computer or another Windows 10 device, use these steps:
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Sign into Xbox One.
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On your Windows 10 PC, click here.
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Sign in with your Microsoft account to link the skill.
After completing the steps, you can start using voice commands with Alexa to interact with your Xbox One.
If you don’t know exactly how to use voice commands, simply say “Ask Xbox what can I say?”
At this time, the new functionality is available for Xbox Insiders, and only in the United States.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.