Alexa can’t control the aux input on Amazon Echo speakers anymore

Your voice commands to control music playback via the aux input on some Echo devices will no longer function.

Amazon has confirmed that Alexa voice commands for playing or pausing audio via the 3.5mm aux input on select Echo devices are no longer supported. This change affects a small number of customers who used this specific functionality, as reported by Ars Technica citing a Reddit post and an Amazon spokesperson. The affected devices include Echo Plus (2nd gen), Echo (3rd gen), Echo (4th gen), and Echo Studio (1st gen). While voice control for the aux input has been removed, users can still control audio playback through the Alexa app and via Bluetooth connections. Amazon did not provide a reason for removing the feature, and it does not impact audio output functionality. This development follows Amazon's prior removal of a feature allowing users to opt out of sending voice recordings to the cloud.

This discontinuation of aux input voice control on older Echo devices signals a broader trend of Amazon deprecating legacy features and hardware interactions in favor of app-based or cloud-dependent control. As newer Echo models omit the 3.5mm aux port entirely, Amazon appears to be phasing out physical input controls, directing users towards more integrated ecosystem solutions like the Alexa app or Bluetooth. This move, while impacting a small user base, suggests a strategic shift towards simplifying device management and reinforcing the primacy of its own services and app interfaces.

For users still relying on the aux input voice control, this change necessitates a shift in how they manage their audio, requiring them to use the Alexa app or manually adjust playback. It highlights the increasing reliance on software updates to alter device functionality, potentially reducing the lifespan of certain hardware features. The decision also underscores Amazon's focus on refining its core voice assistant capabilities and pushing users towards newer hardware or alternative connectivity methods.