The Amazon Echo has become a beloved household gadget for many users, offering a range of features that make daily life easier and more efficient. One of its main selling points is Alexa, the smart assistant embedded within the device who can assist with tasks, answer questions, and perform a plethora of functions. However, as helpful as Alexa can be, some users might find her unsolicited “By the way” suggestions intrusive or annoying.

If you’re among those who wish to turn off these unwanted recommendations from Alexa on your Amazon Echo device, this article will guide you through the necessary steps to ensure a more customized and satisfying user experience.

1. Open the Alexa App

The first step in disabling the ‘By the way’ suggestions is to open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure that you’re signed in to the same account linked to your Amazon Echo device.

2. Access Device Settings

Once you’ve launched the app, at the bottom-right corner, tap on “Devices.” This will show you a list of all your connected Alex-enabled devices. Select your Amazon Echo device that you wish to update the settings for.

3. Navigate to “Voice” Settings

Within your chosen device’s settings, scroll down until you find “Voice.” Tap on this option to access settings related specifically to voice interactions with your Echo.

4. Disable “Things To Try” Suggestions

In “Voice” settings, look for “Things To Try” – which includes Alexa’s ‘By the way’ suggestions. Tap on this option and switch off any relevant toggles for “Things To Try.” This disables both visual (on-screen) and audio (spoken) suggestions from Alexa.

5. Save Your Changes

After you’ve toggled off “Things To Try” suggestions, make sure to save any changes made by tapping on “Done” or “Save Settings” (depending on your app version). Once this is complete, your Amazon Echo device will no longer offer unsolicited recommendations in the form of ‘By the way’ suggestions.

By following these steps, you can easily customize your Amazon Echo device’s settings to better suit your preferences and enjoy a more seamless interaction with Alexa. Keep in mind that Alexa’s features are always evolving, so continue to check for updates to take advantage of any new improvements or functionality that may become available in the future.