Solving Xiaomi and Alexa Compatibility Issues
Integrating your Xiaomi security camera with Amazon Alexa should open up a world of convenience, allowing you to view your camera's feed on an Echo Show or Fire TV with a simple voice command. However, users often run into issues where Alexa reports the camera as incompatible or fails to discover it.
If your Xiaomi camera is not working with Alexa, don't worry. This guide provides a comprehensive set of solutions to diagnose and fix the most common compatibility and connection problems, helping you bridge the gap between these two ecosystems.
## Key Reasons for Alexa & Xiaomi Incompatibility
The problem usually isn't a true incompatibility but rather a breakdown in communication between the Mi Home and Alexa services. The most common reasons include:
- Incorrect Mi Home Server: The server region you select in the Mi Home app is critical. It must match the region your device is intended for and be accessible to the Alexa service.
- Skill Authorisation Failure: The link between the Mi Home Alexa skill and your Mi Home account can fail or become corrupted, preventing devices from being discovered.
- Outdated Firmware or App Versions: Bugs in older firmware on your camera or an outdated Alexa/Mi Home app can cause discovery failures.
- Network Issues: The camera and your Echo device need to be on the same Wi-Fi network for reliable communication.
- Model/Region Limitations: Not all Xiaomi camera models are designed to work with Alexa in every country.
## How to Fix Xiaomi and Alexa Integration Problems
Follow these steps methodically to re-establish the connection and get your camera working with voice commands.
### 1. Relink the Mi Home Alexa Skill
This is the most effective solution and should be your first step. It forces a fresh connection between the two services.
- Disable the Existing Skill: Open the Amazon Alexa app. Go to
More>Skills & Games. Search for "Mi Home," select it, and tap "Disable Skill." - Enable the Skill Again: Once disabled, tap "Enable To Use."
- Log In Carefully: You will be redirected to a login page. Crucially, you must log in with the exact same Mi Home account credentials (username and password) that you use in the Mi Home app on your phone.
- Authorise and Discover: Follow the prompts to authorise the link. After it's linked, ask Alexa, "Alexa, discover devices."
### 2. Check and Align Your Mi Home Server Region
A server mismatch is a very common cause of this issue.
- Find Your Current Server: In the Mi Home app, go to
Profile>Settings>Region. Note down the currently selected region (e.g., United Kingdom, Germany, Mainland China). - Log In to the Correct Server: When you relink the Alexa skill (Step 1), ensure the region selected on the login page matches the one in your app. If it doesn't, you may need to log out of the Mi Home app, select the correct region, and log back in before linking the skill. Note: Changing regions may mean you have to re-add your devices to the Mi Home app.
### 3. Update Firmware and Apps
Ensure all components are running the latest software.
- Camera Firmware: In the Mi Home app, select your camera, go to its
Settings(usually a three-dot menu), and look for aFirmware updateoption. Install any available updates. - Mi Home & Alexa Apps: Go to your phone's app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and check for updates to both the Mi Home and Amazon Alexa apps.
### 4. Power Cycle Your Devices
A simple restart can clear many temporary network and software bugs.
- Unplug your Xiaomi camera from the power source.
- Unplug your main Wi-Fi router.
- Unplug your Amazon Echo device (e.g., Echo Show).
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully connect to the internet.
- Plug the camera and the Echo device back in.
- Once both are online, try your voice command again.
By following these troubleshooting steps, particularly by relinking the skill and verifying your server region, you can resolve most cases of your Xiaomi camera not being compatible with Alexa.