Alexa Guard No Longer Supported: What You Need to Know

I just received a disappointing email from Amazon. The email, sent out to Amazon Alexa Guard customers, announced that the tech giant will no longer support the Alexa Guard feature. This is a major bummer (I was a big fan of this free safety-forward service that Amazon provided), and I’m sure the news leaves many other fans wondering about the implications for their home security and automation systems.

Alexa Guard, a popular feature that allowed users to enhance their home security by linking their Amazon Echo devices to security systems, lighting controls, and other smart devices, has been a valuable tool for countless households. With the ability to set up Home and Away modes, create Guard-based routines, and even detect sounds like glass breaking or smoke and CO alarms, Alexa Guard provided an added layer of protection and convenience—without an extra monthly bill.

Well, no more!

The email instantly sparked questions about how this change will affect existing smart home security setups. Here’s a rundown of alternative ways to keep utilizing some of the features you may have been running through Alexa Guard.

• Home and Away modes: Users who previously set up Away Lighting, linked a security system, or connected an Astro device to Guard can still use the Home and Away modes to control these features.
• Away Lighting: If you had set up Away Lighting with Alexa Guard, you can continue to use this feature in conjunction with the Home and Away modes.
• Sound detection: Smoke and CO alarm sound detection, as well as glass break sound detection, will now be available exclusively to Alexa Emergency Assist subscribers. This change may affect users who relied on these features for early detection of potential threats.
• Alexa App update: To maintain access to the above-mentioned features, users are advised to download the latest version of the Alexa app.
• Astro device and Ring Protect Pro: If you own an Astro robot device and have a Ring Protect Pro subscription, you can still receive smoke, CO, and glass break alerts from your Astro device.

The best thing about Alexa Guard is that it was a really useful service that Amazon gave you for free. But, as we saw last year with the elimination of self-monitoring options from Ring Alarm and Ring cameras, Amazon is leaning into subscriptions.

While the discontinuation of Alexa Guard is disappointing, Amazon isn’t leaving us completely in the dark. The transition plan outlined in the email aims to provide alternative options for maintaining security and automation features, albeit with some changes (and charges!).

This move also lines up with Amazon's shift towards a more subscription-based model, as access to certain security features like sound detection is now tied to an Alexa Emergency Assist subscription. In place of the free Alexa Guard feature, you have to pay for Alexa Emergency Assist. Amazon is offering an introductory price of $5.99 per month or $59 for a full year if you sign up before January 31, 2024. After that, prices will go up, but how much remains to be seen.

If you relied on Alexa Guard for extra home security, it might be time to reassess your smart home setup and consider whether alternative solutions or subscriptions meet your security needs. If you want to stay away from monthly fees, we’ve got the best home security systems out there that don’t require a subscription.

• What is Alexa Guard
• How Alexa Can Make Your Home Safer
• How to Set Up Alexa Routines
• Ultimate Guide to Alexa and the Amazon Echo Family
• Google Home vs. Alexa: Which Assistant is Best?