How To Change Alexa To Computer

We may live in the age of Alexa, but barking the same wake word and hearing the same voice answer our requests can quickly make us feel like we're the robots.

If you want to say something different than Alexa to command your smart speaker then the good news is that it's possible - albeit in a limited way; you can't just call Alexa anything you want.

Unlike its rivals, Amazon allows users to change the Alexa wake word and add a pinch of variation to the Echo devices experience although there are only four different wake words on offer: Ziggy, Amazon, Computer and Echo.

A fifth voice, and a brand new experience entirely will go live in 2022, when Amazon launches 'Hey Disney' on Echo smart speakers - read on for more info on that.

So, if you'd prefer a different Alexa voice or accent reading out your weather report or reminders, this is what you need to do.

Read this: Funny things to ask Alexa

Follow the steps below and learn how to change it all on your Amazon Echo speaker.

Changing Alexa's name / wake word

change alexa wake word to ziggy and more

Sick of saying Alexa's name? Want a different wake word to trigger the voice assistant on your Echo devices? Well, customisation options are very limited, but you can change the wake word from "Alexa" to "Ziggy", "Echo", "Amazon" or "Computer".

1. In the app menu, select Devices.

2. Choose the device for which you want to change the wake word.

3. Tap on Wake Word.

4. Choose the one you want, then hit OK.

5. Once the orange light stops flashing, the name you use to wake Alexa should be changed.

Change Alexa's voice or accent

change alexa voice to new male voice

In mid-2021, Amazon launched a new male voice for Alexa. The new tone was launched along with the new Ziggy name.

The new voice is only available in the US for now and you can enable it by saying, "Alexa, change your voice."

Alternatively, you can change the voice within the Alexa app. Note that Amazon doesn't call the voice options male or female; rather original or new.

Tap Settings > Device Settings.
Choose your Echo smart speaker.
Tap Settings.
Choose Alexa's Voice and select either New or Original.

Other Alexa voices to try

If you're not in the US, there are other ways to switch Alexa's voice up if you're sick of the same tones and intonations.

If you've ever fancied giving your Echo speaker a British accent or an Aussie twang, you can do so. You can also have Alexa speak English in an Indian accent.

Listen here: What all of Alexa's accents sound like

However, be warned, Alexa's brain is also localised to where you set it, meaning a change in accent may pull up different answers, so it may alter the experience a little.

1. In the app menu, select Alexa Devices.

2. Choose the device you want to change the voice of.

3. Scroll down and tap on Languages.

4. Hit the drop-down box and choose the language you want.

5. Hit Save changes.

Changing Alexa to a celebrity voice

It's not just the name you can jazz your Alexa digital assistant up with, you can also add a bit of celebrity fun to the mix.

Amazon announced a new Samuel L. Jackson voice for Alexa in 2019 and there are now two more celebrity voices available for Alexa: Shaquille O'Neal and Melissa McCarthy.

They don't take over the whole Alexa experience – but can be summoned for different tasks.

hey disney alexa mickey mouse

Hey Disney!

At Amazon's 2021 launch event, the retail giant revealed it had teamed up with Disney for "an entirely new kind of voice assistant that will work alongside Alexa at home and across Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms."

Launching in 2022, 'Hey, Disney!' will add a host of beloved Disney characters to the mix on certain Echo smart speakers.

Unlike a simple wake word change as described as above though, the Hey Disney experience is the first time an Alexa Custom Assistant will be available on Echo devices.

Designed to live alongside Alexa, rather than replacing the native assistant, Alexa Custom Assistants will have their own unique wake words, personalities, voices and capabilities.

For Disney's effort, we're told there will be over 1,000 "magical interactions", as well as a brand-new character: the Disney Magical Companion.

More Amazon Alexa guides

How to control Sonos with Alexa
Play podcasts with Alexa
How to use Alexa to control your lights and devices
Use your Amazon Echo with Alexa as an alarm clock
How to make Alexa talk faster or slower
How to set up and use Alexa Routines for a smarter home
View camera footage on your Amazon Echo
Set up and use Alexa Drop In and Calling
Alexa and Spotify guide
Alexa Brief Mode explained