Smart speakers are getting smarter by the day. With just your voice, you can control your smart home products, search the web, play and stream music, answer your queries, and perform other similar tasks without using your hands or even lifting a finger.
It seems like smart speakers will replace smartphones. But what about calling and messaging—the core functionality of smartphones? Ah! That's already part of smart speakers like the Amazon Echo, which let you call and message people for free via your Echo device.
So what is Echo Calling and Messaging, and how does it work? Let's dive deeper into the world of Alexa's communication services to better understand them.
1. Compatible devices
Calling and messaging works across all Echo devices and the Alexa app for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire. You don't have to be on the same platform to mix and match media. For example, you can call or message from the Alexa app to an Echo device, or call from one Echo device to another, and so on.
2. How does it work?
Echo communication services use the Internet for calls and messages. They do not consume your phone's calling or messaging credits (unless you send a text message). However, data charges will apply according to your Wi-Fi or mobile data plan.
3. Who can call and send messages?
The Echo feature works regardless of your location—you may be sitting next to the other person or miles away. However, you can only make and receive calls from Alexa contacts. This means these contacts must be registered with Alexa (via the Echo app, Alexa, or Fire tablet).
In countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico, you can make calls to some landline numbers for free. However, to receive regular phone calls, you'll need an Echo Connect accessory.
Like any other chat app, you can send messages to Alexa-only contacts. To send messages to non-Alexa users, you'll need to send a short message.
4. How to know someone is calling or messaging you
When someone calls you, a notification will be sent to the Alexa app and all connected Echo devices. For Echo users, the light will turn green, and you'll hear a ringtone with the caller's name announced by Alexa.
In the Alexa app, a contact card appears on the screen with options to answer or ignore the call.
For new messages, you'll receive a notification on your phone, and your Echo will chime with a yellow light around it.
5. Make calls with ALEXA
To call someone via Echo, use the following commands:
- Call [Name's] Echo – Use to call another Echo device. For example, Call Robert Echo.
- Call [contact name] – Used to call a mobile or landline number
- Call [Dial Numbers] – Used to dial numbers directly (including area code) from the number you want
- Contact him. For example, call 919712345678.
When contacts have more than one number, Alexa asks you to choose the number you want to call.
Although the Alexa app displays all contacts, you can only make calls to Alexa contacts. Tap a contact card to determine if they are Alexa users. If they are, you'll see Alexa audio and video calling options. Tap the desired option.
6. Answer, reject, and end calls
You can make calls from the Alexa app or through your Echo device. For the Alexa app, use the on-screen buttons to answer or reject. To answer the call on Echo, say "Answer," and to reject, say "Ignore." The Echo light will remain green during the call.
- Note: Echo will not notify you of regular phone calls, and you cannot answer these calls from it.
While on a call, use the command "Hang up" or "End call" to disconnect. Yes, the other person will hear it, too. So if you're trying to ignore someone, use regular calls.
7. Control the connection volume
Use the command, "Turn the volume up/down" to control the Echo volume during a call. You can also use the buttons on your Echo device to control it.
- Note: The other person will hear the commands while you are calling.
8. Supported messages
On Echo devices, while you can listen to voice and text messages, you can only send voice messages through them. Interestingly, if the receiver scans the Alexa app, they'll be able to read the message without audio, too.
The Alexa app supports voice and text messages. For voice messages created in a supported language, the text will be automatically transcribed for other Alexa app users.
9. Sending messages
Use the “Send message to [contact name]” command to send voice messages via Echo.
10. Reading messages
Similar to calls, you can read and respond to messages from both the Alexa app and your Echo device. Say the command "Play My Messages" to hear the message on your Echo. For mobile devices, you'll receive a notification just like any other notification. Take direct action or open the Alexa app and go to the Communications tab to check for new messages.
11. Sending SMS via ECHO
On devices running Android 5.1 Lollipop and later, you can send text messages from supported Echo devices. Of course, you'll be charged for the text messages according to your SMS plan since the message is sent through your phone's services.
- Note: This service is not available for iOS devices.
The recipient of the SMS will receive a link to your voice messages and their text. Currently, you cannot send group messages or MMS messages.
- Note: Echo cannot read SMS messages received on your phone.
To send text messages, you must first enable the service in the Alexa app. To do this, open the app, go to the Communications icon at the bottom, tap the Contacts icon, followed by My Profile and Settings. Enable sending text messages.
Use the command “Text [contact name]” or “Text [phone number]” to send a text message to anyone in your phone's contact list.
12. Turn off the ringtone.
When you want your Echo device to be silent, you can turn off the ringer for incoming calls. By doing this, you'll only be notified of incoming calls by the green light on your Echo devices. Nothing changes for the Alexa app unless you put your phone on silent.
- Note: You need to disable the incoming tone separately for each device if you have multiple speakers.
To turn it off, go to your Echo speaker under Devices in the Alexa app and tap Sound. Turn off the Incoming Call Ringer setting.
13. Enable Do Not Disassemble
The above method only turns off the ringtone, without disabling the lights or messages. Therefore, Echo speakers have a Do Not Disturb mode.
When enabled, all call and message alerts including add-ons on your Echo device will be disabled.
- Tip: You can even schedule Do Not Disturb mode.
To enable this mode, go to your Echo device's Settings under Devices in the Alexa app and enable Do Not Disturb.
14. Contact file management
To change your contact name, or enable or disable caller ID, you can do so within your profile settings. Tap the Contacts icon under the contact, followed by My Profile & Settings.
15. Learn about privacy
Multiple people can use the same Echo device. While that's fine if you're using it to ask simple questions, when it comes to calling and messaging, privacy is a major concern. Imagine a family member calling your contacts.
Fortunately, Amazon has introduced a voice profile, or multiple user feature, to avoid this. The Echo speaker uses your voice to identify and find contacts associated with your account.
- Note: Incoming call voice profiles don't work for anyone who can answer the call on Echo.
Quick Fix: Unable to make calls
If you can't take advantage of the calling and messaging functions, try these solutions.
1. Enable Alexa communication feature
You need to enable the service first in the Alexa app to use it. The same goes for the other person. If you're trying to call someone who hasn't enabled it, you won't be able to call them.
2. Supported numbers
As mentioned before, you can only make calls to Alexa contacts and certain numbers in the US, Canada, and Mexico. If you try to call other numbers, the call will not go through.
The call also does not support emergency numbers, premium rate numbers, toll-free numbers, and short dialing codes.
What is the future?
Sure, it won't replace everyday chat apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, but Echo calling and messaging seems like a good alternative to traditional phone calls and text messages. Furthermore, this functionality isn't limited to Echo devices, as you can install the Alexa app on both Android and iOS devices, making it a cross-platform feature.
Tell us your thoughts on the Echo's calling and messaging feature in the comments below.
