Make Voice and Video Calls using Alexa and Amazon Echo

If you know about Amazon Echo or using it in your home, you can understand how useful it can be. It can be useful to play music, turning on/off lights, asking...

Subodh Gupta

Last updated on August 12, 2023

Subodh Gupta

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Subodh loves to write content whether it may be tech-related or other. After writing on tech blog for a year, he becomes passionate about it. He loves playing games and listening to music. Apart from blogging, he is addictive to the gaming PC builds and smartphone leaks.

If you know about Amazon Echo or using it in your home, you can understand how useful it can be. It can be useful to play music, turning on/off lights, asking anything or check the weather. Amazon Alexa-driven smart speakers can do these things easily just like Google Voice Assistant. It also can make calls via using contacts. Here in this guide, we will share with you the steps to Make Voice and Video Calls using Alexa and Amazon Echo.

Before going to the topic, let’s take a look at the compatible device list.

Echo
Echo Dot
Amazon Echo Show
Echo Spot
Echo Plus
Fire tablets (4th gen or later) with the Alexa app
Compatible with iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones & tablets with the Alexa app

Make Voice and Video Calls using Alexa and Amazon Echo

First, you need to give access to Alexa within your contacts.
Head over the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android smartphone.
Now, tap on the Calling & Messaging tab at the bottom of the screen.
If you haven’t enabled it, the app will ask permission from you to access your contacts and register your mobile number.
Once it’s done, you’ll be able to call and message any of your friends and family from the contact list who have Amazon Echo devices. (That’s a must)
Simply place a call by asking Alexa to call someone. For instance, if you want to call your dad, just say, “Alexa, call dad”.

If the Contacted Person doesn’t have Amazon Echo:

If the contacted person has Amazon Echo device, Alexa will automatically call it. But that person should have also signed up for calls and messages in Alexa app.

Can Call to a New Number (Not in the Contacts)

You can call someone else from the Echo device using Alexa by telling the number manually. [For example, “Alexa, call 0011223344”]

Make an International Calls

You can call in any other country that supports Alexa-via-Alexa Calling & Messaging from Amazon Echo device. Whereas, non-Echo landline and mobile calls are limited to Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

Call Any Number with Codes

Alexa can be able to dial any numbers with codes, but there are a few changes which you need to follow:

Emergency services numbers (e.g. “911”)
Premium-rate numbers (e.g. “1-900” numbers, or toll numbers)
Any local X-1-1 numbers dial codes (e.g. “211,” “411,” etc.)
International numbers (numbers outside of the US, Canada, and Mexico)
Dial-by-letter numbers (e.g. “1-800-FLOWERS”)

Don’t have an Echo, What to do?

It’s worth mentioning that you don’t need an Echo device to make a call via Alexa. If you open the Calling & Messaging tab on the mobile app, you can call anyone on your contacts list. Just tap on the contact name whom you want to call. If the recipient has an Echo device, you’ll see icons for voice and video calls at the top. Otherwise, you call a landline or mobile number.

Block Numbers

You can block any number if it’s in your contacts list.

Go to the Calling and Messaging tab in the Alexa app and tap on the contacts icon in the top right corner.

Next, open the three-dot menu icon in the right corner. Select ‘Block Contacts’ option.

Choose any contact which you want to block.

Call Another Echo in the Same House

The ‘Drop-In’ feature automatically connects between the household members instantly within Echo devices in each room.

In order to enable it:

Tap on the “Set up Drop-In” option at the top of the Calling & Messaging screen.

Then tap on Profile Settings and turn on the “Allow Drop-In” toggle.

Now, you’ll be able to use your Echo device as an intercom by asking to drop-in on an Echo device in other rooms.

You’ll need to call it exactly by name which you’ve saved as a room in the app.

That’s it.

We hope that this guide will be helpful to you. For any queries, ask in the comments below.

Make Voice and Video Calls using Alexa and Amazon Echo

Make Voice and Video Calls using Alexa and Amazon Echo

If the Contacted Person doesn’t have Amazon Echo:

Can Call to a New Number (Not in the Contacts)

Make an International Calls

Call Any Number with Codes

Don’t have an Echo, What to do?

End a Call

Make a Video Call

Answer an Incoming Call

Block Numbers

Call Another Echo in the Same House

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