How do I link my BBC account to the BBC Sounds skill on Alexa?

It’s quick and easy to link your BBC account to the BBC Sounds skill on Alexa. Follow this handy step by step guide for tips.

Before you start

  • To listen to live radio and other BBC Sounds content on Alexa you’ll need to be in the UK. 
  • You will need to have the BBC Sounds skill enabled on your Alexa device, and have a BBC account. If you don’t have an account, you can register for a BBC account here. 
  • Make sure you’re using the Amazon profile that you want your BBC account linked to. You can do this by saying “Alexa, who am I?” If you’re on the wrong profile, say “Alexa, switch profile” or “Alexa, switch to [your first name]’s profile.”

How do I enable the BBC Sounds skill?

Just say, “Alexa, open BBC Sounds” to your Alexa device. Your device will then ask if you’d like to enable the skill - say "yes" to proceed. 

For more help with enabling the BBC Sounds skill, visit this page: Can I use BBC Sounds with my Alexa device? 

Make sure you’re on the correct adult Amazon profile before connecting your BBC account

  • To do this say "Alexa, Who am I?" If you’re on the wrong account 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 link your BBC account to the BBC Sounds skill on Alexa:

Link your BBC account using a notification on your phone

Step 1
Open the skill on your Echo device by saying, "Alexa, open BBC Sounds." If you have notifications enabled from the Alexa app you will receive an account linking notification to your device.

An Alexa smart speaker on display.

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

A user tapping an Amazon Alexa notification on their device.

Step 3
Tap ‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

The “Connect Alexa to your BBC account” screen shown after the user taps a notification, the user then taps the Continue button.

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.

Two images showing the BBC sign‑in and linking process: one shows the user entering their email and password and tapping Continue, and the other confirms the BBC account has been successfully linked to Alexa.

Once you have linked your account you can use bbc sounds features and functions. To learn more visit: How to use and get the most out of the BBC Sounds Skill.

What’s available by linking your account may change occasionally.

Link your BBC account using the QR code on your Echo device with a screen

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 beneath the image.

QR code for signing in on Alexa devices with a screen

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

A QR code screen displayed on an Alexa screen‑enabled device after the user says “Alexa, open BBC Sounds”.

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 account linking page within the Alexa app.

A user scanning a QR code on an Alexa screen‑enabled device using their phone’s camera.

Step 3
Tap on ‘Link Account’ then tap ‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

The BBC Sounds skill settings screen shown after scanning a QR code, where the user selects Link account.

Step 4
Enter the 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.

Two images showing the BBC sign‑in and linking process: one shows the user entering their email and password and tapping Continue, and the other confirms the BBC account has been successfully linked to Alexa.

Once you have linked your account you can use bbc sounds features and functions. To learn more visit: How to use and get the most out of the BBC Sounds Skill.

What’s available by linking your account may change occasionally.

Link your BBC account using 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.

A user taps the linking card that has been sent to their Alexa app.

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

The “Connect Alexa to your BBC account” screen shown after the user taps a notification, the user then taps the Continue button.

Step 3
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.

Two images showing the BBC sign‑in and linking process: one shows the user entering their email and password and tapping Continue, and the other confirms the BBC account has been successfully linked to Alexa.

Once you have linked your account you can use bbc sounds features and functions. To learn more visit: How to use and get the most out of the BBC Sounds Skill.

What’s available by linking your account may change occasionally.

Link your BBC account using the Alexa app skill page

Step 1
Open your Alexa app. Tap the 'more' button in the bottom navigation bar

A user tapping the ‘more’ button in the Alexa app

Step 2
Tap on 'Skills & Games' in the Menu

A user tapping Skills and Games in the Amazon Alexa app.

Step 3
There are two ways to find the BBC Sounds skill. 

  • You can scroll to the bottom of the‘Skills and Games’ page, tap on the‘Your Skills’ button, find and then tap the‘BBC Sounds‘ skill.
Two images showing the Discover section of the Alexa app and then a user selecting the BBC Sounds skill from their enabled skills.
  • Alternatively, tap the search bar at the top of the‘skills & games’ page and type in‘BBC Sounds’, then tap the‘BBC Sounds’ skill in the search results
A user typing “BBC Sounds skill” into the search function in the Alexa app.

Step 4
Tap the‘Settings’ button

The BBC Sounds skill page in the Alexa app.

Step 5 
Tap on‘Link Account’ then tap‘Continue’ to move onto the next step.

There are two images, the first shows the user selecting “Link account” from the sounds skill settings page, and the other shows the “Connect Alexa to your BBC account” screen with the user tapping Continue.

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.

Two images showing the BBC sign‑in and linking process: one shows the user entering their email and password and tapping Continue, and the other confirms the BBC account has been successfully linked to Alexa.

Once you have linked your account you can use bbc sounds features and functions. To learn more visit: How to use and get the most out of the BBC Sounds Skill.

What’s available by linking your account may change occasionally.

How to use and get the most out of the BBC Sounds Skill

Once your BBC account is linked you can get the most out of your experience with the BBC Sounds Skill. 

  • To play live radio, say: "Alexa, play [station name]," for example, "Alexa, play Radio 2".
  • To play a podcast say: "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play [content name]," for example, "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast" or say “Alexa, Open BBC Sounds” to get started.
  • For ideas on what to listen to and examples of commands and features you can use with the BBC Sounds skill on Alexa, visit What can I say to Alexa in the BBC Sounds skill? 
An Alexa smart speaker alongside example voice commands for the user to try, such as “Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 2”, “Alexa, ask BBC sounds to play Desert Island Discs”, and “Alexa, ask BBC sounds to play Radio 6 Music”.