Most people don’t think about home security until something happens. And when it does, they wish they’d done more.
The truth? Over half of American households—around 57%—still don’t use any kind of security system. Not because they don’t care. It’s usually because the setup feels like too much. Too expensive. Too technical. Too many steps.
But here’s the twist: a lot of those homes already have an Amazon Echo sitting on the counter. And that little speaker, believe it or not, might be more helpful than most people realize.
With more than 2,600 break-ins happening every day in the U.S., it’s not such a crazy idea to ask your speaker to keep an ear out while you’re gone. That’s what Alexa Guard does. No extra gadgets. No monthly bill. Just a quiet backup that listens for the sounds you’d want to know about—glass breaking, a smoke alarm, something that doesn’t sit right.
It won’t replace a full-on security system, and it’s not trying to. But if you’re the kind of person who travels often, lives alone, or just wants some peace of mind without the hassle—this is worth looking at.
Let’s take a closer look at how it works, what it can actually do, and whether turning it on is the small step toward feeling safer at home.
Read More: 5 Best Home Security Systems for Seniors
How Does Alexa Guard Work?
Alexa Guard is a built-in safety feature that comes with Amazon Echo devices. These smart speakers already have far-field mics that always stay tuned for the wake word—usually “Alexa.” But once you say, “Alexa, I’m leaving,” those mics shift into a different gear. Now, they’re listening for sounds that might signal something’s not right at home.
It’s not just guessing either. Amazon actually worked with safety experts to record the sound of hundreds of different types of glass breaking—using various tools—so Alexa could tell the difference between a serious crack and a harmless kitchen clatter. It knows the frequencies to watch for, especially those sharp, sudden noises that usually mean trouble.
When something unusual happens, Alexa doesn’t just sit on the info. It sends a Smart Alert straight to your phone, and in many cases, you’ll get a short audio clip to hear exactly what triggered it. If you’re hooked up with Ring or ADT, that alert can go directly to your security service, which is especially helpful if you’re not available to respond right away.
But it’s not all about reacting. Alexa Guard can also help ward off problems before they start. If you’ve connected smart lights to your setup, Alexa can turn them on and off randomly while you’re away—making your home look lived-in instead of empty.
One thing to remember: Guard Mode doesn’t run on autopilot. You have to activate it every time you leave by saying, “Alexa, I’m leaving.” And when you walk back through the door, just say, “Alexa, I’m home,” and it switches off. No hardware upgrades, no setup headache—just an easy layer of protection built into what you already use.
Key Features: From Sound Detection to Smart Lighting
Alexa Guard doesn’t rely on over-the-top tech or flashy add-ons—it keeps things simple, smart, and quietly effective. The moment you say, “Alexa, I’m leaving,” your Echo shifts into Away Mode, acting like an invisible set of ears that stays behind while you’re out.
So what can it actually do?
- Tuned In to the Sounds That Matter: Your Echo isn’t just passively sitting there. It’s actively listening for signs that something serious might be happening—like the high-pitched beep of a smoke detector, the sharp ring of a carbon monoxide alarm, or the jarring sound of shattering glass. These aren’t random noises. Alexa is trained to pick up on specific audio cues that signal real danger.
- Keeps You in the Loop with Smart Alerts: If something strange happens, Alexa won’t leave you guessing. A Smart Alert will pop up on your phone through the Alexa app—sometimes even with a quick audio clip so you can hear what set it off. If you’ve got Drop In enabled on your Echo, you can even tune in live to check what’s going on in real time.
- Makes an Empty Home Look Occupied: Alexa Guard isn’t just for emergencies—it’s also a bit of a trickster. With Away Lighting turned on, it can randomly switch your smart lights on and off to make your place look lived-in. It mimics your usual habits, which can be enough to make someone casing the house think twice before approaching.
- Works Hand-in-Hand with Real Security Services: If you’ve got Ring Alarm or ADT connected, Alexa Guard doesn’t fly solo. It can automatically forward alerts to your monitoring service so they can respond even if you’re unavailable. In some setups, it can even help arm your system, adding a touch of hands-free backup when you’re walking out the door.
- Goes Beyond Listening When Guard Plus Was Enabled: If you ever had Guard Plus turned on, Alexa could kick things up a notch. For instance, if your camera spots someone creeping around outside, it might blast a siren or play a loud dog bark through your Echo speaker. Sometimes a little unexpected noise is enough to spook someone—and buy you the time to act.
How to Set Up Alexa Guard
Honestly, setting up Alexa Guard doesn’t take much effort—and once it’s running, your Echo starts doing a lot more than just playing music or setting timers. If you already have the Alexa app on your phone and an Echo sitting at home, you’re nearly there. A couple of quick steps, and suddenly you’ve got a little watchdog keeping an ear out while you’re gone.
Here’s how to get it going: open the Alexa app on your phone (doesn’t matter if you’re on Android or iPhone—it’s the same process). Tap the menu button in the top left corner, scroll down, and find the option called “Guard.” That’s where it all kicks off.
Once you’re in, Alexa will ask if she can send you alerts when something doesn’t sound right. Just say yes—it’s how she’ll notify you if there’s a weird noise at home while you’re out.
Next, hit “Set Up Guard” and you’ll be given a few options. You can turn on sound detection for things like breaking glass, smoke alarms, or carbon monoxide alerts—basically the kinds of things you really want to know about. There’s also a neat feature called Away Lighting that randomly switches your lights on and off in the evening to make it look like someone’s still home. Alexa even checks your ZIP code so she can match the lighting to your local sunset. Not bad, right?
If you turn on the lighting option, you’ll get a list of all your smart lights. You can choose which ones Alexa should use—because nobody wants the hallway light blinking at 1 a.m. Just pick the ones that make sense, tap Continue, then Confirm, and that’s it—you’re good to go.
After that, it’s all voice-controlled. When you’re walking out the door, just say “Alexa, I’m leaving,” and Guard Mode turns on. You’ll get a quick notification on your phone so you know it’s active. When you get home, say “Alexa, I’m home,” and she’ll switch it off, no problem.
No extra gear. No techy setup. Just a simple way to make your home feel a little more protected, even when you’re not there.
Guard vs. Guard Plus: What’s the Difference?
At its core, Alexa Guard is just a quiet little feature baked right into your Echo device. Nothing fancy, nothing overcomplicated. When you head out and say, “Alexa, I’m leaving,” your Echo perks up and listens for anything that doesn’t sound right—like the sharp crash of glass breaking, a smoke alarm beeping, or that high-pitched sound from a carbon monoxide detector. If it picks something up, it shoots a notification to your phone, often with a short sound clip. You can even “drop in” to listen live if you want to check for yourself. It’s subtle, but it’s comforting.
Now, for a while, Amazon had a little something extra: Alexa Guard Plus. It was a paid upgrade, just a few dollars a month, and it added some nice bells and whistles without asking you to go full-on with a traditional security system.
One of the standout perks? A 24/7 emergency helpline. You could say something like “Alexa, call for help,” and you’d instantly be connected with trained pros who could talk you through what was happening. If needed, they’d get in touch with emergency services for you—whether that was the police, the fire department, or medical help. All hands-free, right through your Echo.
But that wasn’t all. Guard Plus also made Alexa more alert. She could pick up on smaller, more subtle sounds—like soft footsteps, voices when no one’s supposed to be home, or a door creaking open. And if things got weird? She could play a loud siren or even make it sound like a dog was barking through your speaker—just enough noise to freak someone out and maybe make them think twice.
It also worked well with Ring Alarm, ADT, and Scout Alarm setups. And if you were already using Ring Protect Pro, Guard Plus came bundled in. No extra fees, just extra support.
Here’s the thing though—Alexa Guard Plus isn’t available to new users anymore. Amazon quietly phased it out. But if you already had Ring Protect Pro, you might still have access to the premium perks. That said, even without the upgrade, the free version of Alexa Guard still holds its own. It does a solid job of giving your home a little extra awareness while you’re away—and for a lot of folks, that’s more than enough.
What Alexa Guard Can—and Can’t—Do for Your Security
Alexa Guard is helpful, but it’s not a full-blown security system. That’s not a knock on it. In fact, for something that lives inside a smart speaker, it’s doing quite a bit. It listens for things like glass breaking or alarms going off while you’re not home, and it lets you know when something sounds off. It even had a few extras with Guard Plus—like a fake dog bark or an emergency voice command. Not bad at all, especially for something that doesn’t cost a dime.
But let’s not confuse it with the big guys.
Traditional security systems? They’re in a whole different league. If someone breaks in or a fire starts, they don’t wait around for you to check your phone. They send help. Right then and there. Doesn’t matter if you’re asleep, out for dinner, or halfway across the country—those systems are wired to act. That kind of response? You just don’t get that from Alexa Guard.
And it’s not just about speed. Full security setups usually include door and window sensors, motion detectors, cameras—you name it. Everything’s connected. If one piece gets triggered, the whole system reacts. That layered protection makes it a lot harder for something to slip through the cracks.
Now, there’s no denying that traditional systems come with baggage. There’s gear to buy, maybe even someone to install it, and usually a monthly fee if you want monitoring. You’re investing time and money into it. With Alexa Guard, you’re not. You just speak a command and go.
So which is better?
Honestly, it depends on what you need. If you’re in a small apartment or just want a heads-up when something strange happens, Alexa Guard is probably enough. It’s low-effort and doesn’t cost you a thing. But if you’re someone who wants full-time backup—someone on the other end of the line if something hits the fan—a traditional system is more your style.
It’s not about which one is better. It’s about what fits your life. Some folks feel safer with just Alexa listening in. Others sleep better knowing they’ve got pros watching their back. It’s your home, your comfort—go with what gives you peace of mind.
Is Alexa Guard Worth Using in 2025?
If you already have an Echo sitting on a shelf, turning on Alexa Guard isn’t something you have to think twice about—it just makes sense.
Let’s face it, stuff still happens. People still break into homes. Fires still start. Even in 2025, with all the tech in the world, things go wrong when no one’s home to see it. And you’d be surprised how many folks still don’t have any kind of protection—not because they don’t care, but because security systems can feel like too much. Too pricey. Too confusing. Too many wires and decisions.
That’s why Alexa Guard feels kind of like a gift. It’s already built into something you own. No new hardware. No subscriptions. No setups that require a manual the size of a phone book. Just open the app, flip a few settings, and your speaker starts keeping an ear out for you. Quietly, in the background.
No, it won’t call the cops or scare off an intruder. That’s not its job. But it will send you a quick heads-up if something sounds off. And honestly? That heads-up might be all you need to check in, call a neighbor, or get ahead of a bigger problem.
It’s perfect for small apartments. For people who travel. For anyone who wants just a little more peace of mind without getting a whole system installed. When your Echo already tells you the weather, plays your favorite playlist, and reminds you to take out the trash—it might as well help watch the house, too.
So yeah, it’s worth using. It’s not here to replace a security system. It’s just here to fill in the gaps. Quiet, simple, and surprisingly comforting.
Learn more about Alexa Guard!
FAQs
1. What is Alexa Guard Mode?
Alexa Guard is a new free service from Amazon for Amazon Echo users. Just say, “Alexa, I’m leaving,” and your Echo perks up, ready to listen for anything sketchy—like breaking glass or a smoke alarm. It doesn’t make noise or flash lights—it just stays quietly alert. When you’re back, a quick “Alexa, I’m home” tells it to stand down.
2. How do I set up Alexa Guard Mode?
Open your Alexa app, go to Settings, scroll until you see Guard, and tap to get started. You’ll choose what sounds you want it to listen for—like alarms or glass breaking—and even which lights to turn on and off while you’re gone. Once it’s set, all it takes is your voice to switch Guard Mode on or off.
3. How do I disable Alexa Guard?
Easy. Just walk in and say, “Alexa, I’m home.” That’s it. Alexa knows you’re back and stops listening for glass or alarms. You’ll get a little notification on your phone to confirm it’s turned off. No buttons, no fuss.
4. What’s Guard Plus? Is it still around?
Guard Plus was the upgraded, paid version of Alexa Guard. It added some extras like an emergency helpline (you could just say “Alexa, call for help”), more sound detection (like footsteps or voices), and even sirens or barking dog sounds to scare off intruders. While Amazon no longer offers it as a standalone subscription, some Ring Protect Pro users still get access to those features bundled in.
5. Is Alexa Guard available in the UK yet?
Not yet. Right now, Alexa Guard is only rolled out in the U.S. Amazon hasn’t given a clear timeline for other countries, including the UK, but fingers crossed—they might expand it soon. Until then, it’s a U.S.-only feature.
