How to Make Your Wyze Cam Work with Alexa

The Wyze Cam is a surveillance device created for homeowners. Unlike typical expensive surveillance cameras, the Wyze Cam is affordable and easy to use. Most importantly, it’s a smart device. As a smart device, the Wyze Cam needs to be compatible with the world’s most popular smart environments. This camera from Wyze is fully compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Amazon devices, meaning that the Wyze Cam can be an integral part of your smart home. Here’s how to make the Wyze Cam work with Alexa.

Versions

Currently, Wyze Cam v2 and Wyze Cam Pan work with Alexa. Unfortunately, the original Wyze Cam doesn’t support Alexa, which may be frustrating to some people (especially if they’re using multiple cameras, some of which are the early version of the device). However, the main reason why the v2 was created was exactly the lack of Amazon support on the original version.

In order to check which version you own, flip the Wyze Cam device over and take a look underneath. There should be a sticker indicating that your model is Wyze Cam v2. If you don’t have the more advanced version of the device, unfortunately, you won’t be able to make it work with Alexa. On the other hand, it may work with Google Home.

Connecting the Wyze Cam to an Amazon Device

The first thing you need to confirm is that all your Wyze Cam devices are connected with the Wyze app. For those of you who’ve already installed the device(s) earlier, you don’t need to worry. However, if you’re setting up the Wyze app for the first time, you’ll need to complete the process before moving on to connecting it to the Amazon device in question.

Setting up the Wyze Cam

If you’ve already completed this step, feel free to skip this part. For those of you who’ve just started setting up the Wyze device, here’s what to do.

First of all, once you open the package, you get an instruction manual, a power adapter with a wall plug, a metal disk with an adhesive strip, and the Wyze Cam itself. If you look at the back of the Wyze Cam, you’ll see a solid yellow light. Before proceeding, plug your device into the wall, or daisy-chain it to another Wyze Cam device. You’ll see the yellow light blinking. This indicates that it’s entering the setup mode.

Now, download and install the Wyze app from your tablet’s/smartphone’s default app store. Once you start the app, you’ll be prompted to register. Follow the outlined steps in order to do this. Now, select your Wi-Fi network from the list. After this, you’ll see a QR code appear on the app’s screen. Use your Wyze Cam device to scan the QR code. This will connect the device to your Wi-Fi. Now, name the device and tap Start.

Setting Up Your Wyze with Alexa

As you’re aware, Alexa is a voice-activated system. Because of this, make sure that the camera names on your Wyze app are easy to pronounce and unique. If you have any weird camera names on your Wyze list, it’s recommended that you change them.

Now, update the firmware on each one of your Wyze camera devices. Tap the first camera on the list and the app should automatically prompt you to update to the newest firmware version. If you aren’t prompted, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner, then Device Info, Check update, and, finally, Upgrade. Do this for all cameras on your Wyze list.

Next, update the Wyze Skill. This is done through the Alexa App, alexa.amazon.com, or by simply saying “Alexa, enable Wyze skill”. If you’re doing this from your Alexa App, go to the menu in the top-left corner of the screen (represented by three horizontal lines), and then select Skills & Games. From here, simply search “Wyze”, select Wyze, and hit Enable. This will prompt you to enter your Wyze credentials, which will further authorize Alexa to use your cameras. Now, tap Discover Devices.

Alternatively, just say “Alexa, discover my devices”. This means that all your cameras are now set up with the same names that you’ve given them through the Wyze app. Of course, you can change the camera names on your Amazon device, without changing the names on your Wyze app. To do so, go to Devices in the Alexa app, tap the camera in question, and change the name to whatever you prefer. This won’t change the camera’s name in the Wyze app, but, again, make sure that the name is simple.

Using Wyze Cams with Alexa

Using Wyze with Alexa is voice-activated and very straightforward. Just say “Alexa, show me the [camera name]”. Instead of “the” in the previously outlined command line, you can use my, me, or simply say “Alexa, show [camera name]”.

Keep in mind that, even with an extremely fast internet connection, there’s going to be a few-extra-seconds delay before the live camera footage is displayed on your Amazon device. This is due to the server delay involved with sending the feed over to Amazon and Amazon sending it back to you.

The feed will stay on for ten minutes before shutting down automatically. To bring it back up, use the commands given above. In order to manually quit the video streaming, simply say “Alexa, go home” or “Alexa, stop”.

Wyze and Alexa

That’s pretty much it. Wyze and Alexa work hand-in-hand together in order to bring the Wyze experience to your smart home environment. Of course, there’s a short delay involved, but it’s nothing too frustrating.

Do you like how your Wyze device(s) work(s) with Alexa? Do you mind the few-second delay? Did you find this tutorial easy to follow? Let people know in the comments section below and feel free to ask any questions and share any tips and advice.