You can even make Alexa sarcastic.
If you’re an Alexa+ or Amazon Prime member, your interactions with Alexa are no longer relegated to fairly standard voice types or the creepy “Whisper Mode.” Amazon now lets eligible users experience eight different voice types (based on region/country) and several intriguing personalities, like Sassy, Chill, and Original. While each brings its own unique vibe, they’re just fun customization options, and none of them make Alexa more or less accurate. In the end, you’re still dealing with AI, albeit with a bit more fun.
For ordinary, effortless voice changing, you can simply say, “Alexa, change your voice.” Alexa will then offer you the options currently available. You can also use the Alexa app. Once the app is open on your device, tap Devices > Your device > Device Settings > Alexa’s voice. Voice settings only apply to the specific device you’re using, so you’ll need to repeat the process for other devices, especially if you want a consistent voice or personality throughout your home.
How to Make Alexa Brief, Chill, Sweet or Sassy
Alexa Personality Styles let you change how Alexa responds without changing what she can do. Amazon currently offers five personality options: Brief, Chill, Sweet, Sassy, and Original. In short, it’s exactly what it sounds like, for those who prefer quick and concise answers. Chill is casual and conversational. Sweet is warmer and more encouraging, and Sassy adds a more playful and witty touch. The latter comes with an “adults only” warning that you must tap to continue. It’s not exactly NSFW or anti-kid-friendly, but Alexa may mock your question and use a few colorful pejoratives.
The quickest method is to say, “Alexa, change your personality style.” Alexa will present your options and guide you through them. If you prefer to use the app, open Devices > Your device > Device Settings > Alexa’s personality style. From there, simply scroll through the available personalities, left to right, and you can return to the original style at any time.
Again, personality styles are device specific, so if you want a consistent personality across every Echo device in your home, you’ll need to change them individually.
Celebrity voices and other limitations
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If you’ve owned an Echo device or two for a while, you probably remember celebrity voices, or you may have come across them while browsing instructions online. These older instructions walk you through activating the Samuel L. Jackson, Melissa McCarthy, and Shaquille O’Neal voice types. These are no longer available and are not the same as Alexa’s current voice options and personality styles.
If you want something kid-friendly, Amazon offers animal voices for compatible Alexa devices in kid mode. However, this requires an active Amazon Kids+ subscription and the device language must be set to English.
Last but not least, the new voice and personality options change how the assistant’s response sounds, but it doesn’t change much else, including the wake word. If you want to change the wake word for “Alexa” to something different, use the Echo device settings in the Alexa app and search for “Wake Word.” Yeah, changing the wake word is nothing new. But with a whole new personality coming through your Echo device, it might be appropriate to apply a whole new wake word too.
