Watching a YouTube video on Echo Show has always been tricky. Only because there is no official app skill in Echo yet. Google and Amazon partnered together to make YouTube available on Fire TV, but that’s about it.
Watching YouTube videos on Echo Show still demands a bit of workaround. So when it comes to smart displays, the parent company of Youtube, aka Google, still assesses exclusive ownership.
However, this does not mean that you cannot watch Youtube shows or videos on Echo Show devices.
All you have to do us tap on the web browsing capabilities that rolled in with the second generation devices, and launch Firefox or Silk browsers to find your workaround through this!
Steps to Watch Youtube on Echo Show Devices
The first and foremost step that you need to do is figure out whether you have a first-generation Echo show or a second one. It shouldn’t be hard because compared to the second-generation Echo devices, the first generation one looks like a kitchen TV, something that’s probably from back in the 70s.
Skip to the next section if you have the second-generation device. And of not, just make sure that your old generation Echo Show device is updated to the latest software!
How to Update Your Old Echo Show?
- On the main home screen of your Echo Show device, swipe down.
- Click on Settings.
- Tap on Device Options.
- Click on Chek Software Updates
If you see any, then update your software, and you’re good to go!
How to Watch Youtube on Echo Show Browser?
There are two ways to watch Youtube on Echo Show. One of them is through the Silk Browser, and the other is through the browser called Mozilla Firefox. We’ll walk you through the steps to watch Youtube from both of them.
First: Silk Browser
First, tell your Echo, “Alexa, Open Silk.”
The Silk web browser’s homepage shall pop up, and you’ll be able to see the bookmarks, the search bar, etc. Most of them have Youtube as their very first bookmark. Click on it for the site to load!
Using Youtube once its launched on Echo Show is exactly the same as any other device, such as mobiles, tabs, etc. All you have to do is sign in to your account, and you’ll find your list of subscriptions and recommendations and so forth.
Second: Mozilla Firefox
All you have to do first is say, “Alexa, Open Firefox.” Upon saying this, the Mozilla Firefox shall launch, popping up with the homepage on display. And then, all you have to do is say, “Alexa, Open Firefox.”
If you say this sentence, Firefox will automatically launch into Youtube, and voila! You’re all set.
Default Options
The first time you open the browser, be it either of them, your Echo Show will ask you which one you’d prefer to set as your default browser.
The upside to choosing Firefox as your default browser is, that it supports Youtube TV. Firefox is one of the few browsers that support Youtube Tv outside of Chrome.
The only downside to it all is that you can’t command Alexa to open up Youtube on your Echo Show device. You have to tap and click and swipe and type your way through it all. Although it’s frustrating, it can’t really be helped – since desperate times call for desperate measures.
Echo Show – Imperfectly Perfect!
All you can really do is say, “Alexa, play Waves on Youtube,” or “Alexa, play Country Roads on Youtube.” Alexa will then run a web search and display you the results. However, at least you get a decent search page and get to click and access the Youtube video you want! Echo Show was not meant for this purpose anyway.
