How to use Flic buttons for Alexa routines

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

If you’re looking to make your smart home even smarter, then using Flic buttons is an easy way to take automations to the next level.

Whether you’re using the original Flic smart home buttons, Flic 2 or even the multi-talented Flic Twist, adding some smart touch points to your house can streamline numerous processes with minimal effort.

And the good news is you’re not limited to just the functionality that the Flic app and the offical integrations allow for.

You can also add Flic buttons as smart home devices within the Alexa app, and build automations based off of the back of a click (or double click or hold.)

In the video example (below) Flic has used, it uses a simple time-telling Routine from a connected Alexa smart speaker, but the Routine can be as complex as you want.

You can add multiple actions to a single Alexa Routine so, for example, you could create a morning routine that, after a click on Flic button, reads the news from a bedside Echo Show, tells you what’s in your calendar, turns the smart security system off and switches on a smart plug in the kitchen to get the coffee machine fired into action.

Guide: Building great Alexa smart home Routines

Here’s how to set up Flic within Alexa and customize them to suit your automation desires…

What you’ll need

• Flic button(s)
• Flic Hub (if using multiple buttons or integrating with non-Bluetooth devices)
• Alexa-enabled device (Echo, Echo Show, etc.)
• Alexa app
• Flic app

The short version

• Add the Flic skill to your Alexa setup and sync accounts
• Create Flic steps that include Alexa
• Discover Flic triggers as ‘devices’ in Alexa
• Create Routines with Flic buttons as the trigger

Once you’ve set up the trigger, you can always add actions to the Routine at any time. This can include things like controlling lights or plugs, adjusting your thermostat, playing a song or playlist from, setting a timer or an alarm…. and a whole lot more.

There’s no restriction on how complex a Flic-triggered Alexa Routine can be.

Customization ideas for Flic and Alexa Routines

• Use a Flic button to control multiple devices at once; like dimming the lights, turning on your smart TV, and playing a movie through your Fire TV, all with one button press.
• Place Flic buttons in key areas of your home (e.g., entryways, next to your bed) for easy access to specific Routines, such as turning off all lights before bedtime or playing your favorite morning playlist.
• Use different types of presses for different tasks, like single press for turning on lights, double press for activating a security system, and hold for playing a relaxation routine.

FAQs