Being able to use an Echo Dot as a mesh extender makes a lot of sense, since doing so is much cheaper than having to upgrade your mesh system. For instance, if you own an eero 6 or eero 6+ but still have dead spots, you can expand your network further using an Echo Dot or even several, instead of having to upgrade to the eero Pro 6 or the eero Pro 6E. Here’s how to use an Echo Dot as a mesh extender with an eero router.
How to use an Echo Dot as a mesh extender
Read on to view detailed instructions for each step.
- Open the eero app on your smartphone. You also want to check and make sure you’re running the latest version of the app. To do so, tap Settings at the bottom right and open Software version. If you see “Your software is up date!” proceed to the next step, if not update the app to the latest version before getting started.
- Tap on the Discover tab on the bottom of the screen next to Settings.
- Enable eero Built-in by sliding the blue toggle from off to on.
- Check to make sure your devices are connected. If you plan on using a new Echo Dot with eero Built-in, it might show up as offline once you complete the previous step. If this happens, tap on the device’s name to see why it’s offline. 4th and 5th gen Echo Dot (with and without Clocks) need to be updated to the latest software before they can be used with eero Built-in. Ask Alexa to check for software updates and wait for any updates to be installed. Your Echo Dot devices should then appear as online within the eero app. And there you have it. Your Echo Dot devices will now work as mesh extenders for your eero router. If you find that there are still Wi-Fi dead spots around your home, you can try moving them around and using one of the best speed test apps to test your connection. Looking for other ways to improve your home internet, check out our guide on how to set up eero internet backup, how to see who’s on your Wi-Fi network and how to get faster internet at home for free.
