How to make Alexa work on your iPhone, and use it with or without an Amazon Echo

• Amazon's Alexa assistant does work on the iPhone, in a very similar way to an Amazon Echo device.
• After installing the Alexa app on your iPhone, you can use Alexa in a variety of ways.
• Not only can you set up a new Amazon Echo using your phone, but you can use Alexa on your phone as a personal assistant, very similar to Siri.
• You can also play audio from your iPhone on an Echo speaker using Bluetooth.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Amazon Alexa - the personal assistant built into Amazon Echo smart speakers - is designed to work seamlessly with your iPhone in several ways.

Using the Alexa app in the App Store, you can perform initial setup for your Echo using an iPhone, as well as control and manage Alexa after it's set up.

In addition, the Alexa app can be used as a personal voice-enabled assistant on your iPhone, in much the same way you may already use Siri.

And finally, you can pair your iPhone with Alexa to stream audio from your phone to an Amazon Echo speaker.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

Amazon Echo (For $99.99 at Best Buy)

How to set up Alexa with your iPhone

To get started, install the Alexa app from the App Store.

You don't need to have an Amazon Echo to use Alexa on your phone, but the Alexa app is designed to step you through the setup process for a new Amazon Echo. Tap "Begin Setup" and follow the instructions to sign into your Amazon account and, if you have an Echo you need to set up, configure your new Echo.

How to use Alexa on your iPhone

You can use Alexa on the iPhone anywhere - you don't need to be in range of an Amazon Echo speaker.

1. Start the Alexa app.

2. Tap the Alexa button at the bottom center of the screen. If this is your first time talking to Alexa in the iPhone app, you will need to give it permission. Tap "Allow."

3. You can now give Alexa any command, or ask any question that you would ordinarily give to the Amazon Echo speaker. You don't need to preface the command with "Alexa" - just give the command.

How to pair your iPhone with Alexa on an Amazon Echo speaker

1. Bring your iPhone within Bluetooth range of your Amazon Echo.

2. Say, "Alexa, turn on Bluetooth."

3. Alexa should tell you it is searching, and after a moment, you'll see a Bluetooth pairing request on your iPhone. Accept the request. You'll also see the Amazon Echo appear in the list of Bluetooth devices on your iPhone.

You can now select music or other audio on your phone and it'll play on the Amazon Echo. If you want to disconnect your iPhone from the speaker, say, "Alexa, disconnect my phone."

In the future, to reconnect your iPhone to the speaker, say, "Alexa, connect my phone."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• 'What is the Amazon Echo Dot?': Everything you need to know about Amazon's compact smart speaker

• A complete guide to the Amazon Echo family, the smart speakers that will change your home forever

• How to stop iCloud storage alerts on your iPhone in 5 easy ways

• 'Why won't my iPhone charge?': How to diagnose and fix common iPhone charging problems