Can I Call Alexa From My Phone?

Yes, you can with just a few steps in the app

What to Know

  • Open the Alexa app and tap Communicate > Call > Echo to call your Alexa compatible unit.
  • You can also receive calls via your smart speaker by saying Answer to it.
  • Speak to Alexa via the app by asking Siri or Google Assistant to open the Alexa app.

This article teaches you how to call Alexa from your phone and what you need to know about Alexa receiving phone calls.

How Do You Call Alexa?

If your home has numerous smart speakers with Alexa support such as the Amazon Echo or Amazon Echo dot, it can be useful to call the speaker to talk to someone who happens to be near the unit. Here's how to do so using the Alexa app.

These instructions apply to both Android and iOS with the screenshots reflecting the iOS version of the Alexa app.

  1. Open the Alexa app.

  2. Tap Communicate.

  3. Tap Call.

  4. Tap the name of the device you want to call.

    Steps required to call an Echo device via the Alexa app
  5. Take the call like any other call.

Can Alexa Receive Phone Calls?

Yes. As explained above, it's quite straightforward to make a call via the Alexa app. There are also some commands you can say to Alexa to make the process possible. Here's a quick look.

Alexa doesn't support inbound calls from cell phones or landline phones. It only supports calls taken via the Alexa app.

  • Answer the call. Answer the call by saying Alexa, answer.
  • Ignore the call. Ignore any call by saying Alexa, ignore.
  • End the call. End a call by saying Alexa, hang up. 

Can I Talk to Alexa on My Phone?

Yes, providing you have the most up-to-date version of Alexa on your smartphone. Here's what you need to do.

  1. Ask Siri or Google Assistant to open the Alexa app by saying Siri, open the Alexa app, or Hey Google, open the Alexa app.

  2. Speak to Alexa and ask her your request or question just how you normally would.

How to Make Alexa Calls With Your Voice

If you want to make calls using Alexa, the process is very similar to everything else you can do with Alexa: via your voice. Here's what to do.

Alexa calls are only possible within the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico. It's also not possible to call emergency service numbers or premium-rate numbers.

  1. Stand near your Alexa compatible speaker.

  2. Say Call or Call Echo/Mobile/Landline to call the person on a specific device.

  3. Wait for the call to connect.

What Types of Calls Are There With Alexa?

Alexa supports numerous different types of calls and it's useful to know the differences. Here's a look at them. 

  • Alexa-to-Alexa calling. It's possible to make and receive calls between compatible Echo devices enabling you to reach anyone from your contacts list who has a compatible Echo device.
  • Cell phone or landline calling. It's possible to call most cell phones or landlines in the UK, US, Canada, and Mexico via your device by using the above method.
  • Alexa app calling. It's possible to make calls to cell phones and landlines in the US, Canada, and Mexico by calling via the Alexa app. 
  • International calls. You can make and receive international calls between compatible Echo devices and the Alexa app, providing the person is in a location that supports Alexa Calling, i.e. UK, US, Canada and Mexico.
FAQ
  • Can I talk to Alexa when I'm not at home?

    Yes, you can talk to Alexa remotely using your smartphone. To set up Alexa commands from your smartphone, teach Alexa to recognize your voice by creating a voice profile from More > Settings > Your Profile > Voice > Create. Then assign your voice profile to your Echo or another device from Home > Devices and use the Alexa icon in the Alexa app to speak to Alexa when you're not near your Echo.

  • How can I call someone's Alexa from my phone?

    You can call a contact's Alexa-enabled device from your phone if you share your contacts with Alexa or you and your contact allow Alexa drop-ins. In the Alexa app on your smartphone, pull up the person from the Communicate tab and choose between drop-in, audio, or a video call on an Echo Show.

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