How do I sign in on the BBC Sounds Alexa skill?

It’s quick and easy to sign into your BBC Account on Alexa. Follow this handy step by step guide for tips. 

Before you start…

  • You’ll need to be in the UK and have a BBC account. If you don’t already have one you can register for one during the account linking journey described below.
     
  • Ensure the BBC Sounds Skill is enabled in your Alexa app. You can find the Alexa app in the Apple app store or Google play store. For help with enabling the BBC Sounds skill, check the following page: Can I use BBC Sounds with my Alexa device?
     
  • Make sure you are currently using the correct Amazon profile.
    • If you have more than one adult profile within your Amazon household, make sure you are on the profile to which you want to connect your BBC account. You can check this by saying "Alexa, who am I?"
       
    • If you're on the wrong account, just say "Alexa, switch account."
       
    • If you are still being asked to sign in after linking and signing into your BBC account, make sure you are on the correct amazon household profile and that the profile is linked to your BBC account. (Make sure the device is setup with your Amazon household profile).


There are four ways to sign in to your BBC account on Alexa:


To sign in via the notification on your phone

Step 1
Open the skill on your Echo device by saying "Alexa, open BBC Sounds" and say 'Yes' to the message asking if you’d like a link sent to your phone to get you started. 

Illustration of an Alexa speaker asking '...would you like me to send a link to your phone to get started?' and a speech bubble confirming by saying 'Yes.'

Step 2
Check your phone for a notification sent from Amazon Alexa. Tap this notification to be taken to the Alexa app.

Image of a phone displaying the Alexa sign in notification. The text reads 'Link from BBC Sounds skill. Tap to open Alexa app...' There is a finger tapping on the prompt.

Step 3
Tap on ‘Link Account’ to get started connecting your BBC account.

Illustration of a phone displaying the Skill Settings page of the app. There is a link to the right saying 'Link account' and a finger poised to tap it

Step 4
Tap ‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

Illustration of a phone displaying the BBC account 'Link account' page. The text reads 'Link Alexa to your BBC account' and there is a finger ready to select a blue 'continue' button underneath.

Step 5
Note: Jump straight to Step 6 if you’re on an iOS device, or if you’ve never signed into a BBC service on your Android device.

If you’re on an Android device and have previously signed into another BBC service on this device, your details will automatically appear. Tap ‘Sign in’ to connect your BBC account.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Just say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

If you want to use a different BBC account, tap the ‘Use a different BBC account’ button and go to Step 6.

Illustration of a phone displaying the BBC account linking screen. Text underneath gives the user the option to sign in as themselves or sign into another account. To the right of the illustration is a the message that 'Your BBC account has been successfully linked' underneath the BBC Sound and Alexa logos with a link icon between.

Step 6
Enter your email address and password for your BBC account, then tap ‘Sign in’. If you don’t have a BBC account, simply tap on the ‘Register now’ link and follow the steps to create one.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

Illustration of a phone showing the BBC account sign in screen where the user has entered their email address and password and tapped 'Sign in' underneath. To the right of the illustration is a the message that 'Your BBC account has been successfully linked' underneath the BBC Sound and Alexa logos with a link icon between.

 


To sign in from the via QR code on your Echo with screen device

You’ll need a smart phone, and an Echo device with a screen.

Scanning the QR code below will get you started, or follow detailed steps below:

The BBC Sounds Alexa sign in QR code
 

Step 1
Open the BBC Sounds skill on your Echo by saying "Alexa, open BBC Sounds". A QR code will appear.
 

Image showing an Alexa with a screen. A speech bubble shows someone saying "Alexa, open BBC Sounds" and on the screen, the BBC Sounds QR code is displayed


Step 2
Open your phone’s camera and point it at your Echo’s screen. Then tap on the notification that appears. This will open the BBC Sounds skill within the Alexa app.

Image of someone scanning the QA code on the Alexa screen using their phone
 

Step 3
Tap on ‘Link Account’ to get started connecting your BBC account.

Illustration of a phone displaying the Skill Settings page of the app. There is a link to the right saying 'Link account' and a finger poised to tap it

Step 4
Tap ‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

Illustration of a phone displaying the BBC account 'Link account' page. The text reads 'Link Alexa to your BBC account' and there is a finger ready to select a blue 'continue' button underneath.

Step 5
Note: Jump straight to Step 6 if you’re on an iOS device, or if you’ve never signed into a BBC service on your Android device.

If you’re on an Android device and have previously signed into another BBC service on this device, your details will automatically appear. Tap ‘Sign in’ to connect your BBC account.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Just say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

If you want to use a different BBC account, tap the ‘Use a different BBC account’ button and go to Step 6.

Illustration of a phone displaying the BBC account linking screen. Text underneath gives the user the option to sign in as themselves or sign into another account. To the right of the illustration is a the message that 'Your BBC account has been successfully linked' underneath the BBC Sound and Alexa logos with a link icon between.

Step 6
Enter your email address and password for your BBC account, then tap ‘Sign in’. If you don’t have a BBC account, simply tap on the ‘Register now’ link and follow the steps to create one.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

Illustration of a phone showing the BBC account sign in screen where the user has entered their email address and password and tapped 'Sign in' underneath. To the right of the illustration is a the message that 'Your BBC account has been successfully linked' underneath the BBC Sound and Alexa logos with a link icon between.

 

 

To sign in from the prompt on your Alexa app home screen

Step 1
Open your Alexa app. As you've previously opened the skill on your Alexa device you should have a prompt on the home screen to ‘Link BBC Sounds account’. Tap that link. 

Illustration showing a phone with the Alexa app opened. Because the user has enabled the Alexa skill, the message on screen says 'Link BBC Sounds account'

Step 2
Tap ‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

Image of a phone showing the BBC account Link Account screen. The text says 'Connect Alexa to your BBC account' and there is a 'continue' button underneath

Step 3
Note: Jump straight to Step 4 if you’re on an iOS device or if you’ve never signed into a BBC service on your Android device.

If you’re on an Android device and have previously signed into another BBC service on this device, your details will automatically appear. Tap ‘Sign in’ to connect your BBC account.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Just say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

If you want to use a different BBC account, tap the ‘Use a different BBC account’ button and go to Step 4.

Illustration of a phone displaying the BBC account linking screen. Text underneath gives the user the option to sign in as themselves or sign into another account. To the right of the illustration is a the message that 'Your BBC account has been successfully linked' underneath the BBC Sound and Alexa logos with a link icon between.

Step 4
Enter your email address and password for your BBC account, then tap ‘Sign in’. If you don’t have a BBC account, simply tap on the ‘Register now’ link and follow the steps to create one.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

Illustration of a phone showing the BBC account sign in screen where the user has entered their email address and password and tapped 'Sign in' underneath. To the right of the illustration is a the message that 'Your BBC account has been successfully linked' underneath the BBC Sound and Alexa logos with a link icon between.

 


To sign in without the notification or prompt

Step 1
Open your Alexa app. Tap on the ‘More’ button in the bottom navigation bar.

Illustration of a phone screen with the Alexa logo saying 'Tap to talk to Alexa' at the top of the screen

Step 2
Tap on ‘Skills & Games’ in the Menu.

Illustration of a person holding a phone. The phone is on the Alexa app and the 'Skills & Games' button is highlighted

Step 3
Tap on the ‘Your Skills’ tab and tap on BBC Sounds.

Illustration of a phone with the Alexa app opened on the Skills & Games menu. The user is about to tap on the BBC Sounds skill icon

Step 4
Tap 'Settings'

Illustration of the Alexa app on a phone, opened in the BBC Sounds skill. The user is about to tap the Settings button on the left hand side.

Step 5
Tap on ‘Link Account’ to get started connecting your BBC account.

Illustration of a phone screen with the Alexa app open on the BBC Sounds skill. The user is about to tap the 'Link account' link just underneath the Sounds logo on the right of the screen

Step 6
Tap ‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

Illustration of a phone screen with the BBC Sounds skill open on the Alexa app. The user has select to link their account. The text says 'Connect Alexa to your BBC account' and the user is about to tap on Continue which appears underneath in a blue bar

Step 7
Note: Jump straight to Step 8 if you’re on an iOS device or if you’ve never signed into a BBC service on your Android device.

If you’re on an Android device and have previously signed into another BBC service on this device, your details will automatically appear. Tap ‘Sign in’ to connect your BBC account.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Just say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

If you want to use a different BBC account, tap the ‘Use a different BBC account’ button and go to Step 8.

Illustration of a phone show displaying the BBC account sign in page, and displaying the message 'your BBC account has been linked successfully'

Step 8
Enter your email address and password for your BBC account, then tap ‘Sign in’. If you don’t have a BBC account, simply tap on the ‘Register now’ link and follow the steps to create one.

Now you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. Say “Open BBC Sounds” to get started.

Illustration of the sign in screen on a phone when linking a BBC account to Alexa via the Alexa app. There is a confirmation message stating that the account is now linked