Alexa Routine - enable/disable by voice

Le_Kirk

I have set up my Alexa to turn on my lights at sunset and turn then off some hours later or via a routine.  I just speak a key phrase and the smart sockets turn off after various time delays depending upon which room they are in and this gives me time to complete the preparations for going to bed before it all gets plunged into darkness.  It struck me that I don't want all the lights on if I am away for a week-end or holidays (whatever they are) and I know it is possible to disable a routine via the app and enable a different one (holiday security, for example) but I wondered if it was possible to do this by saying "Alexa, disable <name of [normal] routine>" and then say  "Alexa, <enable name of [holiday] routine>
Various searches have produced "yes you can", "no you cannot" and "you used to be able to but now you cannot".  Anybody successfully done it?

flaneurs_lobster

Probably easiest to just try it, only ever enabled/disabled routines via app.

Le_Kirk

flaneurs_lobster said:

Probably easiest to just try it, only ever enabled/disabled routines via app.

I would but there is no (easily discernible) way to do this.

RumRat

I just say Alexa goodnight, when I'm ready to go to sleep and she turns out the lights etc. I found a routine pointless as this differs from night to night..
As far as disabling via voice, I think you may be able to if you are US based, but, not here.

Le_Kirk

RumRat said:

I just say Alexa goodnight, when I'm ready to go to sleep and she turns out the lights etc. I found a routine pointless as this differs from night to night..
As far as disabling via voice, I think you may be able to if you are US based, but, not here.

I think you are right about it being a US facility - how stupid, if it can be done at all, why is it not offered to UK versions?  I think I am going to have to get used to disabling normal routines and enabling a different routine on the app.

flaneurs_lobster

There's a bunch of Alexa functionality that is not available in the UK, see particularly Alexa Guard home security. Not sure why, some have suggested that the UK/EU data protection requirements are too onerous for this to work effectively.

My own theory is that in the US you can use this facility to launch your home defence drone to take down intruders but for some reason in the UK it's illegal to Taser the bloke who's come to read the gas meter.

Hard to see why voice activation of routines functionality might be country specific.

SteveJW

RumRat said:

I just say Alexa goodnight, when I'm ready to go to sleep and she turns out the lights etc. I found a routine pointless as this differs from night to night..
As far as disabling via voice, I think you may be able to if you are US based, but, not here.

Exactly the words I say, at night she replies "Goodnight god bless"

At Christmas the various lights are added to the routine

Depends what rum :-:smile:

Le_Kirk

Yes but you have to set up the routine to tell Alexa which Smart plugs you want to turn off.  I have accepted that there is no facility on a UK version so have set up my "Normal" routine and my "Holiday" routine, tested them and will disable each routine as required - remembering to enable the other one of course!