Create amazing Alexa automation at the touch of a button
Estimated Reading Time: 5 Min
If you want to make your smart home even smarter, using the Flic button is an easy way to take your automation to the next level.
Whether you’re using the original Flic Smart Home Button, Flic 2 or even the versatile Flic Twist, adding a smart touchpoint to your home will streamline many processes with minimal effort.
And the good news is that it’s not limited to the features that FLIC app and off-cal integration allow.
You can also add Flic buttons as smart home devices within the Alexa app, or build automation based on the back of the click (or double-click or hold).
The example video used by Flic (below) uses a simple timetelling routine from a connected Alexa Smart speaker, but the routine can be as complicated as necessary.
You can add multiple actions to a single Alexa routine, for example, you can create a morning routine where you can click the Flic button to read the Bedside Echo Show news, tell what’s on the calendar, turn off the smart security system, turn on the smart plug in the kitchen and turn on the smart plug to fire the coffee machine.
guide: Build a great Alexa smart home routine
Here’s how to set up Flic inside Alexa and customize it to your automation desires:
What you need
- Flick button
- Flic Hub (when using multiple buttons or integrating with non-Bluetooth devices)
- Alexa compatible devices (echo, echo show, etc.)
- Alexa App
- Flic App
Short version
- Add FLIC skills to your Alexa setup and sync account
- Create a FLIC step containing Alexa
- Discover Flic triggers as “device” in Alexa
- Create a routine using the flick button as a trigger
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Step 1.
Step 1
Open the Alexa app on your smartphone. I’m going Details>Skills and Games Search for flick skills. Enable the skill and log in with your FLIC account credentials. Once connected, Alexa can recognize FLIC actions.
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Step 2.
Step 2
Return to the Flic app and select the button that will trigger the Alexa routine. Next, choose whether it is a single, double, or long tap action. To select, select Amazon Alexa as your action.
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Step 3.
Step 3
Once configured via FLIC, you will see the Registers command and you will need to perform the discovery in Alexa. When detected, you will see Flic commands presented in some degree of confusion as devices in the list of smart home devices.
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Step 4.
Step 4
Now you can create an Alexa routine using the Flic button as a Trigger. I’m going Other>Routines Tap the + in the top right corner to configure it.
Once you have set up a trigger, you can always add actions to your everyday life. This includes controlling lights and plugs, adjusting thermostats, playing songs and playlists, setting timers and alarms. And a lot more.
There are no restrictions on how complex the Flic-Triggered Alexa routine is.
Customization ideas for Flic and Alexa routines
- Use the FLIC button to control multiple devices at once. You can dim the lights, turn on your smart TV, play movies through Fire TV, or press one button to shoot movies.
- Place flick buttons in major areas of your home (front, next to your bed) for easy access to certain routines, such as turning off all the lights before bed or playing your favorite morning playlist.
- Use different kinds of presses for different tasks, such as single presses to turn on the lights, double presses to activate the security system, and keep to play relaxation routines.
FAQ
Yes, you can assign a different routine to each FLIC button, or customize one button to trigger different actions based on a single press, double press, or hold.
The Flic button connects to your smartphone or Flic Hub via Bluetooth, so the range depends on your Bluetooth connection (usually around 50-100 feet). When using a new flick hub, you will be more flexible.
All flick buttons are compatible with Alexa.
