How do I turn my Amazon Fire tablet into a smart home hub?
Best answer: The easiest and smoothest way to turn your Amazon Fire tablet into a smart home hub is to implement a feature called Device Dashboard. We’ll show you how below.
In a world full of smart speakers and various smart home apps, there is no shortage of ways to control your smart home devices. But if you’re in the Amazon Alexa ecosystem and own a Fire tablet, there’s another feature known as Device Dashboard.
It can essentially turn an Amazon Fire tablet into a smart home hub with just a touch. The feature debuted in 2020 for select Fire tablets, before being expanded to become Smart Dashboard on some of the best Fire TVs.
How to turn an Amazon Fire tablet into a smart home hub with Device Dashboard
Being able to have a tablet like the Amazon Fire 7 or Fire HD 8 anchored to your desk or counter with all your smart home controls is extremely convenient. You won’t have to worry about Alexa not recognizing your voice or command correctly, but it also makes it easy to access one of your best smart security cameras that are also Alexa-enabled.
The only requirement for Device Dashboard is that your Fire tablet be connected to the same Alexa account. Otherwise, none of the best smart home devices you set up earlier will be available. Here’s how to set up the Device Dashboard on your Fire tablet.
1. Turn on and unlock your Amazon Fire tablet.
2. In the navigation bar, tap the Device Dashboard button in the lower left corner.
3. You can enable or disable each smart home accessory listed by pressing the corresponding button.
4. Under Favorites, tap the Edit to add more devices to your favorites list.
5. In the upper right corner, tap Add a new favorite.
6. Press the Star icon in the upper right corner of each device to add it to your favourites.
If you want to check one of your smart home devices that is not one of the favorites listed, just scroll down the list of favorites. There is a Categories section that will show the different categories of products available, such as lights or sockets.
Amazon’s Device Dashboard also makes it easy if you want to try setting up various routines. If you scroll under the list of smart home devices, there is a Recommended Routines section. From there, you can either press the Activate Routine button, or the X in the upper right corner to ignore suggestions.
Adding smart home accessories to the device dashboard
With Device Dashboard, the main goal is to provide quick and easy access to your accessories and smart devices. While that’s extremely handy if you have one of the best Fire tablets, it’s not the most feature-rich experience.
You will not be able to add (or remove) devices to the Device Dashboard app itself. Instead, you’ll have to head to the Alexa app if you end up getting a new security camera or other smart home products.
1. Press the Device Dashboard icon in the lower left corner of the navigation bar.
2. In the upper right corner, tap Manage devices in the Alexa app.
3. Press the Add (+) button in the upper right corner.
4. Press Add Device.
5. Follow the on-screen steps to select and add a smart home device to your Alexa app.
If you want a more in-depth look at setting up smart lights in the Alexa app, we’ve got you covered. Once added, you can return to the device dashboard and manage those devices.
Access the device dashboard from the lock screen
By default, the device dashboard is only accessible when your Fire tablet is unlocked. However, Amazon allows this feature to be used from the lock screen, you just need to enable it from the Settings app first.
1. Open the Settings app on your Fire tablet.
2. Scroll down and tap Security and privacy.
3. Under Lock screenfaucet Device Dashboard.
4. Tap the toggle next to Access the device dashboard from the lock screen.
With this option enabled, you can now access and use the device dashboard from the lock screen of your Fire tablet. This is done by swiping inwards from the lower left corner towards the center of the screen.
Once you start swiping, the screen will look like you’re turning a page, indicating that you’re actually doing the right thing.
Control your smart home with just a few clicks
Even with all of our favorite smart speakers at our disposal, sometimes it’s not practical to turn a light on and off with our voice. Turning a Fire tablet into a smart home dashboard solves this problem, while also benefiting those with smart security cameras, such as the Blink Video Doorbell.
You’ll be able to see everyone coming and going right from your tablet, so you don’t have to reach for your phone. This is a feature that’s currently only available for certain Fire tablets, but honestly, we’re hoping something similar happens to the best Android tablets for Google Home users.
Amazon Fire 7
Cheap smart home dashboard
Amazon’s cheapest tablet has received a significant upgrade with the switch to USB-C and longer battery life. If you want a cheap tablet to use as a dashboard for your smart home, this is a good place to start.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020)
Get the charging station
The Fire HD 8 Plus might cost a little more than the regular Fire 7, but that’s for good reason. It’s a better tablet in pretty much every way, plus there’s a wireless charging dock available so you don’t have to plug anything into your new smart home dashboard.