A Roomba makes vacuuming a lot easier, but you still need to press buttons or tap the screen on your smartphone. Don’t you wish you could just tell your Roomba to start or stop cleaning? If you connect it to Alexa, you can.
Wi-Fi-capable Roombas can be connected to Amazon’s Alexa with the help of their iRobot Home app. They can also be used with Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri via its Shortcuts app.
BestReviews has reviewed more than 10 Roombas and performed extensive research on their uses and features. In this article, we’ll show you how to connect your Roomba robotic vacuum to Alexa for enhanced cleaning convenience.
You’ll need a smartphone, the Alexa app and the iRobot Home app to connect your Roomba to Alexa.
You can’t use Alexa if you don’t have an Amazon account. This is the account you use when you buy from Amazon or access Prime Video.
If you don’t have an Amazon account, go to Amazon.com. Choose “Sign in,” then “Start here.”
The Alexa app is where you set up all your Alexa accessories, including hubs like the Echo. The Alexa app is available for Android and also iOS, which means you can use Alexa on your iPhone.
Open the iRobot Home app. You may have downloaded this app to set up your Roomba. See our article “How to connect a Roomba to Wi-Fi” for more information.
In the app, go to the main menu and choose “Smart Home.” Then, choose “Voice Assistants.” From the list, select “Amazon Alexa.” On the screen that appears, tap the button that says “Connect Amazon Alexa.”
Linking your iRobot account to Alexa enables the iRobot Home skill on Alexa. If you agree to this, press the button that says “Link.”
After a moment, you will be sent back to the iRobot Home app, which should tell you that Alexa is now linked.
If you change your mind, you can press “Disconnect Amazon Alexa” at the bottom of the screen. Otherwise, you’re done. You can tap the Back icon at the top of the app to back out all the way to the main iRobot Home screen. Or you can just leave the app.
From the Alexa app or an Echo smart speaker, say, “Alexa, ask Roomba to start cleaning.” Your Roomba should start up and begin a cleaning job.
If you’re using the Alexa app, quit it by swiping up from the bottom of your Android or iOS screen. Reopen the Alexa app, and try your commands again.
Quit and reopen the iRobot HOME app the same way.
Try using Alexa to operate a different device or ask Alexa a question.
Try using your computer, tablet or smart TV/smart speaker to make sure your Wi-Fi is working. (Since your phone can use wireless data, it might work regardless of your Wi-Fi status.)
If both Alexa and your Wi-Fi are working, check if your Roomba is connected to Wi-Fi.
See “How to connect Roomba to Wi-Fi” for more information.
If your Roomba still won’t work with Alexa, disconnect and reconnect it.
The best word when using Alexa with Roomba is “ask.” For example: “Alexa, ask Roomba to clean the kitchen.” Other words like “send” and “tell” don’t work.
Tell Alexa to ask your Roomba to “start cleaning” to activate a general cleaning job. You can specify a room or just tell it to clean everywhere.
If your Roomba supports mapping or zone cleaning, you can tell Alexa to ask your Roomba to “Clean the kitchen,” “Clean the living room” or “Clean in front of the couch.”
You can tell Alexa to ask your Roomba to stop or resume cleaning. Try, “Ask Roomba to pause,” or, “Ask Roomba to resume.”
Tell Alexa to send your Roomba back to its dock by saying, “Alexa, ask Roomba to go home.”
You can also connect Roomba to Google Home via the Google Assistant.
Connecting your Roomba to Alexa or another smart assistant takes a few steps and a little patience. Once you do, you’re one step closer to real hands-free cleaning. The ability to start a cleaning job just by asking is one of the most convenient things you can enjoy with a Roomba connected to Alexa.
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Jmar Gambol writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money