Echo smart speakers and smart displays have a handy feature that can show and tell you when there's a package on your doorstep and even what's inside. While this might be useful most of the time, during the holidays it could seriously spoil some surprises.
Avoid making Grinch-like moves this holiday and manage your Amazon shopping notifications in the Alexa app to help keep the magic alive. Along with package announcement customization options, the app's notifications section also offers a number of settings that you can turn on or off to make the voice assistant a little more useful when it comes to purchases. you make on Amazon. Below are some of the most useful items you might want to change up this holiday season.
How to turn off package notifications on Alexa
Screenshots by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / Means I/O
Once done, you will still receive announcements on Echo speakers and on-screen notifications on Echo smart displays for your packages, but those you marked as gifts in your cart (or whom Alexa suspects to be) will not include a description of what they are.
This is handy if you really want housekeeping to know there's toilet paper on your doorstep, but not that the Nintendo Switch has arrived. To ensure this works correctly, check "Send as a gift" when the item is in your Amazon shopping cart.
For added security, you can disable all items under "Say or show item titles". Then you will simply be informed when a package is being delivered or delivered, but never what it is.
If you don't want any package notifications from Alexa - anywhere, any way - and want to be surprised when you open the door, turn off all items on this screen. (Note:These settings only affect announcements on Echo speakers, you'll still receive push, email, or other notifications you signed up for.)
While you're here, if you're annoyed that Alexa is nagging you to rate that cheese grater you bought two months ago (this happened to me at 9:30 p.m. when I asked Alexa to play my Audible book), there is a quick fix.
Scroll down a little further on the same purchase notifications page and turn off "Ask for reviews of products you've purchased".
You can also prevent Alexa from announcing the latest deal on the laundry detergent you usually buy by turning off "Recommendations and Offers".
There are other options here you might want to check out if you often find your Alexa speaker flashing yellow - like it's trying to get your attention (which is the case).
If you use Amazon's Subscribe &Save program, Alexa can audibly notify you if an item in your next delivery is out of stock, among other things. You can enable or disable this option under Order Updates, it will affect announcements about order updates.
You can use this screen to stop Alexa from randomly offering "personalized recommendations and offers" on your speakers, as well as to disable voice assistant updates regarding your Audible account (for example, if you have new credit).
