Amazon Sidewalk. It’s Amazon’s newest way to make wireless connections better, wherever you are. But there’s a trade-off.
If you’re an Amazon user with a Ring security camera or an Echo speaker, you might want to take a look at your device settings soon.
This new feature will build a small network. It will link your device(s) to your neighbors’ internet when necessary and let them connect to yours.
The company explains the program on their official website:
Amazon Sidewalk creates a network. It has low bandwidth and uses Sidewalk Bridge devices, such as select Echo and Ring devices. These Bridge devices share a little bit of your internet bandwidth. This gets combined to give these services to you and your neighbors. The network gets even more robust when more neighbors join in.
It will basically act like a “backup” network. This will happen if your connection goes down for any reason. It will also help when you’re setting up a new Ring or Echo device.
Right now, the devices that work with it are:
- Ring Floodlight Cam
- Ring Spotlight Cam (Wired)
- Ring Spotlight Cam (Mount)
- Amazon Echo (3rd gen and newer)
- Echo Dot (3rd gen and newer)
- Echo Dot for Kids (3rd gen and newer)
- Echo Dot with Clock (3rd gen and newer)
- Echo Plus
- Echo Show (2nd gen)
- Echo Show 5,8,10
- Echo Spot
- Echo Studio
- Echo Input
- Echo Flex
Amazon Sidewalk is going live on June 8th for all these devices. Users have until that day to turn this feature off if they want.
Lots of people are choosing not to use Amazon Sidewalk. They want to make sure their devices aren’t part of this new technology.
If you want to opt out of Amazon Sidewalk for your device, it’s simple. You can do it in your settings.
Here’s how you can turn off Amazon Sidewalk using the Amazon Alexa app:
Amazon Sidewalk Opt-Out
Amazon Echo Devices
1. Open the Amazon Alexa app. In the bottom right corner, select More.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Account Settings.
4. Select Amazon Sidewalk.
5. Select the toggle to turn off Amazon Sidewalk.
If you have a Ring Camera, the steps to turn off Amazon Sidewalk in the Ring App are pretty much the same.
Disable Amazon Sidewalk for Ring
1. Open the Ring app. Select the 3 horizontal lines in the top left corner. This will open the “Control Center.”
2. Select Sidewalk.
3. Select the toggle to Disable it.
4. Select to confirm that you want to opt out of Amazon Sidewalk.
That’s all there is to it! You’ve now turned off Sidewalk for your Amazon device.
Details & Extras
If you don’t disable this setting, your devices will become “Sidewalk Bridges.” This means they’ll help keep you connected, even if your own network is down.
This might be handy in some situations. For example, if your internet goes out, you’re using pet tracking, or you’re setting up your device for the first time.
But if you don’t want to give up or “share” your bandwidth with your neighbors, it’s a good idea to turn this feature off.
If you want to learn everything about Amazon Sidewalk, take a look at the official page below. It has a long list of Q&As and important info about this service.
Keep up with the newest streaming news, reviews, tips, and more. Follow the TROYPOINT Advisor – it gets updated every week.
This Advisor has the best cord-cutting tips. You’ll learn how to get the most out of your favorite streaming devices and more.
Select the link below to join the other 800,000 Advisor subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amazon Sidewalk?
It’s a network that Amazon devices share. This helps to make sure you always have a wireless connection.
What devices use Sidewalk?
Lots of Ring and Echo devices have Sidewalk. This includes the Echo Dot, Echo Plus, and Ring Floodlight Cam.
How do I opt out of Amazon Sidewalk?
It’s easy to turn this feature off. Just follow this guide to change your settings in the Alexa or Ring app.