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    Smart Home
    Beginner
    5 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

    Echo Show 8: Setup, Video Calls, Photo Display, and Smart Home Routines

    The Echo Show 8 combines Alexa with an 8-inch touchscreen. Learn how to set it up, make video calls, display your photos, and build smart home routines.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Smart Home
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    5 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    Echo Show 8
    Amazon
    Alexa
    smart display
    video calls
    smart home

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Set up the Echo Show 8
    2. 2.Make a video call to a family member
    3. 3.Set up the photo frame display
    4. 4.Create a smart home routine
    5. 5.Use the visual dashboard for recipes and information
    1

    Set up the Echo Show 8

    ~39s
    Plug the Echo Show 8 into a power outlet using the included power adapter. The screen will light up with setup instructions. Download the "Amazon Alexa" app on your phone if you do not already have it. In the app, tap the Devices tab at the bottom, then the plus (+) icon, then "Add Device" and "Amazon Echo." Follow the prompts to connect the Echo Show 8 to your Wi-Fi network: pick your network and enter the password. The screen confirms when setup is complete.

    Quick Tip

    Place the Echo Show 8 on a kitchen counter, bedside table, or desk where you can easily see the screen and speak to it without shouting. The camera should face you directly for the best video call experience.

    2

    Make a video call to a family member

    ~29s
    Say "Alexa, video call [name]" to call someone in your Alexa contacts. The person you call needs either an Echo Show device or the Alexa app on their phone with calling turned on. The call connects within a few seconds and shows live video of both people. To end the call, say "Alexa, hang up" or tap the red phone icon on the screen. For Zoom calls, turn on the Zoom skill in the Alexa app under Skills, then say "Alexa, join my Zoom meeting."
    3

    Set up the photo frame display

    ~37s
    In the Alexa app, go to the Echo Show 8 device settings, then "Home Screen" or "Ambient Display." Choose "Amazon Photos" to show your personal pictures. If you have Amazon Prime, upload photos to Amazon Photos (the app is free in the App Store and Google Play), and they will appear on your Echo Show when the screen is idle. You can also make an album just for frame display. Swipe left or right on the screen to move through photos by hand.

    Quick Tip

    The Echo Show 8 dims automatically in low light and brightens when the room is lit. To adjust brightness by hand, swipe down from the top of the screen to reach settings.

    4

    Create a smart home routine

    ~27s
    Open the Alexa app and tap the menu icon, then "Routines." Tap the plus (+) icon to make a new routine. Choose a trigger — for example, "At a specific time" (like 7:00 AM). Then add actions like "Turn on living room lights," "Play the news," and "Announce Good morning." Tap "Save." The routine now runs on its own, with nothing needed from you. Routines work well for morning alarms, bedtime reminders, or any sequence of smart home events you repeat often.
    5

    Use the visual dashboard for recipes and information

    ~26s
    Swipe left from the home screen to see the Alexa Home Dashboard. It shows your upcoming calendar events, a weather widget, and smart home shortcuts. Say "Alexa, show me a recipe for chicken soup" to see a recipe card with ingredients and step-by-step instructions on screen — easier to follow than remembering what you heard. If you have Alexa-compatible security cameras, ask "Alexa, show my cameras" to view live feeds right on the Echo Show screen.

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    The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a smart display. It combines an Alexa smart speaker with an 8-inch touchscreen. The screen unlocks features a standard Echo Dot cannot offer: video calls with family, a rotating photo frame for your personal photos, a visual view of weather and your calendar, recipe cards while cooking, and a smart home control panel that shows camera feeds and device status.

    The Echo Show 8 responds to the same Alexa voice commands as the Echo Dot, but the screen adds a picture to many of those answers. Ask for the weather and you see a visual forecast alongside the spoken one. Set a timer and a countdown appears on screen. Play music and you see the album art and song title. This mix of sound and picture makes the device easier to use for people who like seeing information, not just hearing it.

    Video calling on the Echo Show 8 is popular for staying in touch with family. It supports Alexa Calling (between Echo devices and through the Alexa app), Zoom calls, and Amazon's Drop In feature. Drop In lets close family members video connect instantly, without waiting for the other person to answer — like walking into the next room. This is useful for checking on an elderly parent who has their own Echo Show.

    The Photo Frame feature turns the Echo Show 8 into a digital picture frame when nobody is using it. You can show photos from your Amazon Photos library (free storage for Amazon Prime members), Facebook, or a connected Google Photos account. This makes the device feel like a piece of home decor, not just a gadget.

    Setting up the Echo Show 8 takes about 15 minutes and uses the same Alexa app as other Echo devices. On the 2nd and 3rd generation models, the built-in 13-megapixel camera automatically pans and zooms to keep you centered during video calls — helpful if you move around while talking.

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    Echo Show 8
    Amazon
    Alexa
    smart display
    video calls
    smart home

    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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