How to Make Calls Through Your Echo Using Amazon's Alexa

This article explains how to make calls using an Amazon Echo, or another Alexa-enabled device. Additional information covers how to receive calls, how to leave voicemails, and how to play messages on your Alexa device.

Connect Alexa to Your Phone with the Alexa App

The Alexa app is actually a critical piece of the puzzle. You need it before you can do any of the other steps in this how-to, as does anyone you want to call. If you don't have the latest version of the app installed on your iPhone or Android device, take a minute to visit the App Store or Google Play and check. Now's the time to nag your parents, best friend, sister, or neighbor to get updating as well.

Once Alexa is downloaded and updated, pair your Echo with your smartphone using the below instructions:

1. Open the Alexa app and select Devices > Echo & Alexa.
   

2. Select your device.
   

3. Select Bluetooth Devices > Pair a New Device.
   

Confirm Your Number

Once you get the newest version of the app, you're also prompted to confirm your phone number. This process involves typing in your phone number and then entering in a short 6-digit code that Amazon texts you to make sure the phone number is yours.

If you have two-factor authentication set up on something like your email account, then this is roughly the same process.

Discover Who You Can Talk To

Open the Alexa app, then tap the Communicate icon that's at the bottom of the screen. Select the person icon that's at the top of the page in the upper-right corner. This brings up a list of your contacts that have also have updated their Alexa app.

To place calls with Alexa, a person has to be saved in your phone as a contact and have an updated version of the app running on their phone. This list is likely shorter than your entire contacts list, so pay attention to whom you can actually call.

To call anyone on that list, select their name, then select Call. You can also ask Alexa to call someone by using a voice command like "Alexa, call Bob!"

Answer Calls on Your Phone or Echo

Once you place a call, the person you're trying to reach hears their phone ring, as well as any Echo devices they have associated with their account. So, if you call your mom, her iPhone rings but so does the Echo in her kitchen. If you're the one receiving a call, simply say, "Alexa Answer" in order to have Alexa answer the phone. When you're done chatting, say, "Alexa, hang up" to end the conversation.

Want to leave a message instead of calling? Say, "Alexa, send a message to Bob" to create a voicemail for your friend or family member.

When You Miss a Call Through Alexa

If you miss a call or someone decides to leave you a message, your Echo device glows green. When you want to hear a message, say, "Alexa, play my messages."

In addition to offering in-app playback of your voicemail, Alexa also transcribes your voicemails for you, so you can read a (computer-generated and possibly not super accurate) transcription of the message rather than listening to it.

This feature is only going to get better. Amazon has said it plans to eventually add the ability to call specific Echo devices rather than all of them at once. That means one day you could leave a message on the Dot in your kid's room rather than in the whole house, or place a call to your husband's office Echo rather than ringing the Dots in the kitchen and living room as well.