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Alexa+ launches for all US users, here’s how to upgrade (or skip it for now)

Avatar for Ryan Christoffel  | Feb 4 2026 - 6:32 am PT
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Alexa+ is Amazon’s new AI-infused version of its popular assistant. Following a slow initial rollout, Amazon has just made Alexa+ available to all users in the US. Here’s how to upgrade to Alexa+, or skip it for now.

Alexa+ now available through free and paid plans

Not long before Apple is expected to unveil Siri’s big AI upgrade, Amazon has just launched the AI-powered Alexa+ to all US users.

You can start using Alexa+ through several free and paid options:

  • Anyone can use Alexa+ free through the Alexa app or a chat experience at Alexa.com
  • Amazon Prime members get full access to Alexa+ (including on Echo devices) as a new perk of their membership
  • $19.99/month is the subscription fee for full Alexa+ access if you’re not a Prime member

Amazon says that Early Access members have been using Alexa+ far more than they used the standard Alexa.

After touting new Alexa+ capabilities such as conversational chat, deep research, and answering complex queries, Amazon says, “overall, customers are interacting with Alexa+ more than twice as much.”

So how do you gain access to the new assistant?

Current Alexa users will not automatically be upgraded to Alexa+ and its new capabilities—at least not yet. However, getting started with Alexa+ is very easy.

If you’re ready to start using Alexa+, Amazon offers the following instructions:

Prime members can easily start using Alexa+ by saying, “Alexa, upgrade to Alexa+” or by logging into their Amazon account at Alexa.com. Customers can learn more about Alexa+, and sign up for Amazon Prime (or if eligible, start a free 30-day trial) to enjoy the full set of benefits, including Alexa+ by visiting Amazon.com/AlexaPlus. Customers without Prime can also start using the new free Alexa chat experience today by visiting Alexa.com.

So if you are not interested in upgrading to Alexa+ yet, Amazon won’t force you to. You’ll just need to avoid asking Alexa for the upgrade, or choosing any of the upgrade options on Alexa.com.

Have you been using Alexa+ at all, and if so, how is it working for you? Let us know in the comments.

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Avatar for Ryan Christoffel Ryan Christoffel

Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.