What is Alexa Guard?

Amazon recently unveiled a new capability for its voice assistant device, Alexa Guard. This security feature uses your Amazon smart speaker’s microphone technology to detect potential threats around your home. The company designed Alexa Guard to listen for glass breaking, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and other high-pitched alarm sounds.

Upon detecting a noise, your device will send a “smart alert” to your phone and, in some cases, to the company monitoring your home security system.

How Alexa Guard works

To set up Alexa Guard, you must have either Amazon’s smart speaker or one of the brand’s smart displays, like the Echo Show. While Alexa Guard is a free security feature, Amazon plans to release Alexa Guard Plus, a paid version with enhanced features.

In addition to listening for glass breaks and your home’s alarms, the free Alexa Guard security feature can help deter thieves by turning your smart lights on and off, so it looks like you’re at home.

When it launches, an Alexa Guard Plus subscription will expand upon existing features with these add-ons:

• Calling an emergency helpline from the Echo.

• Detecting other activity sounds.

• Sounding a siren when activity is detected inside.

• Playing the sound of dogs barking when detecting outside motion.

• Turning on and off smart plugs, switches, and lights while you’re away.

For now, neither service will record audio throughout your home 24/7, and the feature currently only picks up on the set alarms and triggers. To signal to Alexa Guard and Guard Plus that you want them to begin detecting noise requires the command “Alexa, I’m leaving.”

When Alexa Guard detects sounds in your home and sends you the smart alert, you can play a quick clip of the sound detected or you can listen in for live sound.

To enable Alexa Guard on your Amazon devices, open the latest version of the Alexa app on your smartphone. Tap “More” and then “Settings.” Select “Guard” and follow the setup tutorial. You’ll be able to connect with any of your Echo devices — from the Echo Dot to the Show — along with any smart lighting installed in your home.

Security system compatibility

Keep in mind that Alexa Guard is just one layer of security for your home. It can’t replace a traditionally monitored home security system. Rather, it notifies you of potential dangers in your home and then leaves it up to you to further investigate.

From smart switches to wireless door locks, Brinks Home™ offers smart home automation products that seamlessly integrate with your 24/7 professional monitoring system. Browse our smart home offerings online, or contact a Brinks Home Senior Security Consultant to keep your home protected.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.