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    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Call and Message People Using Amazon Alexa

    Amazon Echo devices can make hands-free calls to other Alexa users, drop in on family members, and send voice messages.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Smart Home
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    alexa
    alexa calling
    amazon echo
    drop in
    voice call
    hands free
    family calls

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Set up calling in the Alexa app
    2. 2.Make a call by voice
    3. 3.Set up Drop In with a family member
    4. 4.Send an Alexa voice message
    5. 5.Make video calls on Echo Show
    1

    Set up calling in the Alexa app

    ~18s
    Open the Alexa app on your phone (free, iPhone or Android). Tap "Communicate" at the bottom (the speech bubble icon). The first time, you will be asked to enable calling and allow Alexa to access your contacts. Follow the prompts. Your contacts are imported so you can call people by name.
    2

    Make a call by voice

    ~22s
    Say "Alexa, call [person's name]." Alexa searches your contacts. If the person has Alexa, the call connects through their device. If they have a regular phone number, Alexa calls that. During the call, you can talk hands-free. Say "Alexa, hang up" to end the call.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: If Alexa does not recognize a contact name, try saying their full name as it appears in your phone contacts.

    3

    Set up Drop In with a family member

    ~30s
    Drop In lets you instantly connect with another Echo without the other person having to answer. Both parties must enable Drop In permission for each other. In the Alexa appCommunicate → tap the person's name → "Contact Details" → enable "Allow Drop In." Once enabled, say "Alexa, drop in on [name]" and their Echo opens right away.

    Warning

    Drop In is powerful — use it only with people who expect and want it. It is designed for close family use, like checking on a parent across town, not casual contacts.

    4

    Send an Alexa voice message

    ~15s
    Say "Alexa, send a message to [name]." After Alexa confirms, speak your message. The recipient gets a notification on their Echo ("You have a message from [your name]"). They can say "Alexa, play my messages" to hear it anytime.
    5

    Make video calls on Echo Show

    ~21s
    If you or the person you are calling has an Echo Show, you can make video calls. Say "Alexa, video call [name]." The Echo Show camera activates and the video call connects. Both parties must have an Echo Show or have the Alexa app open on their phone for video. The camera on Echo Show auto-adjusts to keep you centered.

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    Your Amazon Alexa device (Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, etc.) can make and receive voice calls — and even video calls if you have an Echo Show with a screen. This means you can call family members and friends hands-free, just by speaking.

    Who you can call with Alexa:

    - Other Alexa users (anyone with an Echo device or the Alexa app) - Phone numbers in the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico (regular calls, free for Alexa-to-Alexa; Alexa to phone numbers is also free for basic calls)

    Alexa calling features:

    - Calling: Make voice calls to Alexa contacts - Drop In: Instantly open a two-way communication line with a family member's Echo — like an intercom between rooms or between homes. The other person's Echo answers right away (useful for checking on elderly parents) - Announcements: Broadcast a message to all Echo devices in your home ("Dinner is ready") - Messages: Send voice messages to Alexa contacts that they can hear when they ask

    To call someone, they either need an Echo device or the free Alexa app on their phone. Your contacts from your phone (imported with permission) appear in the Alexa app.

    Video calling works on Echo Show devices (Echo Show 5, 8, 10, 15, and the new Echo Show with camera) and allows face-to-face conversations.

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    Official Resources

    Amazon Alexa HelpGoogle Nest HelpHow-To Geek — Smart Home

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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