(Credit: René Ramos; GBJSTOCK/Shutterstock, Amazon)
Alexa isn't the only one you can talk to through your Echo device. Did you know you can also make and receive voice and video calls with other people through your smart speaker or the Alexa app? It works with most mobile phones and landlines in the United States, UK, Canada, and Mexico. Additionally, a feature called Drop In allows you to turn any enabled Echo device into an intercom. I set this up with a standard Echo model and an Echo Show, and it worked quite well. Here’s how to enlist Alexa as your own phone operator.
Alexa-to-Alexa Calling
To set up Alexa-to-Alexa calling, I opened the Alexa app on my iPhone, tapped the three-lined hamburger icon at the bottom, and then selected Communicate. I was then asked to confirm my name, allow access to my contacts, and verify my phone number. Once you do that, you'll then be able to call someone in your contacts. I could then ask Alexa to make a call through my Echo device by saying "Alexa, call [name of contact]."
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)To make a call from the Alexa mobile app, I opened the Communicate screen, tapped the Call icon, and then chose the contact I wanted to call. If that person is set up to receive calls, I'll see options for placing an audio or video call to them. When I make a call, it gets sent to their Echo device and is also routed to the Alexa app on their phone, allowing them to choose how they want to answer. If I'm using my Echo Show smart display or the Alexa app to make a video call, I can toggle the video on and off at any time. To end a call from the app, I just need to hit End. Otherwise, I can just say "Alexa, hang up" If I'm calling from my Echo.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)When I receive a call, the light ring on my Echo device turns green, the Alexa app notifies me, and Alexa tells me who's calling. On an Echo Show or in the Alexa app, I'll see the contact name of the caller. I can then answer the call by saying "Alexa, answer," or reject the call by saying "Alexa, ignore." The call can also be accepted or rejected from my phone.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)Drop In on an Echo Device
I can also call someone's Echo directly by using the Drop In feature, essentially turning an Echo device (inside and outside my home) into an intercom. The person on the other end doesn't even need to accept the Drop In—it happens automatically. To use this feature, Alexa-to-Alexa calling must be enabled and both parties must turn on Drop In. I opened the Alexa app and went to Communicate > Drop In, then tapped the My Profile link and enabled Allow Drop In.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)To drop in on an Echo device within my household, I can say, "Alexa, drop in on [name of device]." Alexa will ask for confirmation, then I'm connected to the device and can start chatting with the person on the other end. To end the call, I can say, "Alexa, hang up." I can also use the Alexa app. From the Communicate screen, I tapped Drop In and chose the name of the device to begin the call. (To drop in on an Echo Show, I needed to grant access to my camera.) To end the Drop In, I can tap End.
The feature also allows me to drop in on every Echo device in my house, which can be used to contact everyone in your household. Say “Alexa, drop in on all devices.” The first time you do this, Alexa will prompt you to enable Enhanced Features. (This can also be enabled in the Alexa app; go to More > Settings > Communication > Enhanced Features and turn on Enabled.)
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)You can drop in on a device outside your household as long as the contact on the other end has given you permission from their Alexa app. To drop in this way, I can say "Alexa, drop in on [name of contact]" to be connected to that contact through one of their Echo devices. To disconnect, I can say "Alexa, hang up." I can also drop in on someone through the Alexa app by going to Communicate > Contacts and picking the person I want to contact.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)If that person has given the necessary permission to the Drop In feature, a Drop In icon appears on their profile screen. I can tap Drop In and select my Echo device (since I have more than one), and I'm connected to the other person and can start talking. When done, I can tap the End button to end the Drop In.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)If I want to receive a Drop In from a specific contact, I need to give that person permission. To do this, I can go to Communicate > Contacts, then choose the person's name and enable Allow Drop In under the Permissions section. Now, when I receive a Drop In from that contact, I'll hear a chime and can start talking. When done, I can say "Alexa, hang up" to end the Drop In.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)If you don’t want people dropping in on a specific Echo device, go to Settings > Device Settings and choose the Echo device for which you want to disable Drop In. Tap the Do Not Disturb icon so that no one can contact you through this feature.
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)Alternatively, you can fine-tune the Drop In settings for a specific Echo device. Go to the Communicate page and tap the Settings icon. Select Drop In Preference and choose a specific Echo. You can then customize Drop In calls to only allow permitted contacts, devices from your household, or no one. You can also prevent a regular call or Drop In from bothering you on a particular Echo device. To do this, say "Alexa, turn on Do Not Disturb." To allow calls and other notifications again, say, "Alexa, turn off Do Not Disturb.”
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)Echo-to-Phone Calling
Echo-to-phone calling is supported by all Echo devices as well as most mobile and landline numbers in the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico. After you set up Alexa-to-Alexa Calling, your phone number is associated with your account and is what appears to people you call through your Echo. To place a call to someone in my phone's contact list, I can say "Alexa, call [name of contact]. If the contact has multiple numbers, I can specify which to dial: "Alexa, call [name of contact] mobile," or "Alexa, call [name of contact] work."
If you want to call someone that's not in your contact list, you'll need to shout out the phone number by saying "Alexa, call [phone number]." Certain numbers can't be called through your Echo. These include premium-rate or toll numbers (such as 1-900 numbers), emergency services (such as 911), abbreviated dial codes (such as 211 or 411), and international numbers outside of the US, the UK, Canada, and Mexico.
Keep in mind that this may not work if you call a business that requires you to punch in numbers for menu options. When presented with a numeric menu option, you can say “Alexa, press the number 3 on the dial pad” to see if that capability works. You can also call someone from the Alexa app by selecting the person's number. When done, simply say "Alexa, hang up."
(Credit: PCMag / Amazon)