What does this new Brief Mode option do? It simply turns Alexa’s voice confirmation into chimes. That means that your Echo device will make a chime and perform the action.
Amazon is rolling out the Brief Mode slowly, first with test groups and then with layers of Alexa users until the update comes to everyone. Amazon doesn’t appear to be giving anyone warnings about when the update is coming. The only way to tell is to go into settings and see if you have the options. The mode appears to have rolled out to most users by now, but not everyone may have it yet. If you do not see the necessary settings, then you will need to wait until the Amazon update comes around to your Echo device.
Here’s how to enable this mode when it becomes available for you.
Step 1: Open up your Alexa App
The Alexa app is where you manage all your Alexa skills, connections with your smart devices, and everything else. Chances are good you chose a tablet or phone for downloading this management app. Head to the appropriate device and open it up. The app icon is light blue with a white circle.
If your app prompts you to update the app or your Echo, make sure you do this before anything else. You may need this update to activate Brief Mode. Don’t use your Echo devices while the update is progressing.
Step 2: Select the menu button on the top left of the app window with the three lines. This will open a sidebar. Scroll to the bottom section of the sidebar, and select Settings.
Step 3: Scroll all the way to the bottom section, which is called General. This will have your history, the general About section, and a section called Alexa Voice Responses.
If your Echo device does not yet have the Brief Mode update, you will not see the Alexa Voice Responses section. Assuming that you do, select it now.
Step 4: In the Responses section, look for the option that says Brief Mode, currently it’s the only option. Underneath, it should read, “In this mode, Alexa speaks less, and for some simple messages plays a short sound instead of a voice response.”
Make sure that this mode is toggled on. Then head over to your Echo device to test it out to see that it is working as expected. This should change Alexa for all of the Echo devices that are listed on your app.
