Smart home · Hubs & assistants
Can you turn off Alexa+ and go back to the old Alexa?
Short answer
On an Echo, yes: say "Alexa, exit Alexa Plus" and a supported Echo switches back to the original Alexa voice and experience, according to Amazon's upgrade notice and WIRED's hands-on (Jan 2026). On Echo Show screens the chat-style text goes away too. If it's only the new voice you dislike, you can ask Alexa+ for the old voice and keep the new features. We found no Amazon page saying the free Alexa+ on Alexa.com and in the Alexa app can be switched off.
Which products can do it?
- Amazon Alexa+Yes
Saying "Alexa, exit Alexa Plus" switches a supported Echo device back to the original Alexa voice and experience, including the old screen layout on Echo Show.
Good to know: Per Amazon's upgrade email (reported by PCWorld) and WIRED's test, January 2026. Applies to Echo devices; asking for the old voice instead keeps Alexa+ and changes only the voice.
Why it matters
Prime members saw their Echo speakers upgraded to Alexa+ with a new voice, sometimes without asking, and want the assistant they were used to.
Not proven yet
Whether switching back is permanent or Amazon offers the upgrade again later; our sources are from January 2026, and Amazon's Alexa+ device guide we read doesn't mention switching back. Users report Alexa sometimes tries to talk them out of it.
How we know (2 sources)
PCWorld on Amazon's push of Alexa+ to Prime members (read Oct 31, 2026): Amazon's email said the devices on a Prime account would be updated to Alexa+ without any action, and that after the update you can revert to the original Alexa by saying "Alexa, exit Alexa+". Some users said Alexa tried to change their minds before switching back. Written while Alexa+ was still in early access.
Read the sourceWIRED explainer on the Alexa+ rollout to Prime members (read Oct 31, 2026): Amazon moved Prime members with supported Echo devices to Alexa+ Early Access, in one staffer's case without accepting the offer. Telling the device "Alexa, exit Alexa Plus" switches a supported Echo back to the original Alexa voice and experience, and on display devices also removes the chat-style text on screen. Asking Alexa+ for the old voice changes only the voice (tested Jan 22, 2026). Amazon told WIRED it notified customers of the update, including how to return to the original version. Both versions show ads on Echo Show screens.
Read the source
Status timeline
No status has changed since we started tracking. Every entry is dated and backed by the sources on this page.
- First recorded: In storesAmazon Alexa+
Saying "Alexa, exit Alexa Plus" switches a supported Echo device back to the original Alexa voice and experience, including the old screen layout on Echo Show.