Skip to main content

How to Drop In on an Echo, Echo Show, or Echo Dot

If you own an Echo device, such as the Echo Show or Echo Dot, you'll have access to a nifty feature known as Drop-In. This allows you to start a conversation with Alexa contacts or use the smart home gadget as an impromptu intercom.

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

20 minutes

What You Need

  • Amazon Echo devices (2 minimum)

  • Alexa app for iPhone or Android

Here’s what you need to know about the useful Drop In feature – along with how to disable it if you’re looking for some privacy.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Download the app

Step 1: First, ensure you have the Alexa app downloaded on your Android or iOS device (and that it is the latest version). You will need two different Echo devices for Drop In to work: With the app, you can drop in on other Echo devices, but you can’t receive a Drop In call via the app.

Step 2: Once you’ve downloaded and launched the app, you should be prompted to set up Alexa Calling and Messaging. If you aren’t, tap the speech bubble at the bottom of the screen to sign up and fill out your contact information.

Enable Drop In on devices

The Drop In feature might be turned off in the app, so you may have to opt in to use it.

In the Echo device settings, look for the section that says Communications, and select it. The Communications section will have a Drop In section. Make sure that Drop In is turned on. You can select it and choose between On, Off, and Only my household.

Step 1: Head to the icon at the bottom of the Alexa app that says Devices.

Step 2: In the devices menu, choose the device on which you want to enable the Drop In feature.

Step 3: With Drop In enabled on all your Echo devices, you should be able to initiate household drop-ins just by saying, “Alexa, drop in on,” and then saying the specific name of the Echo device. If this is all you want to do, then you’re good to go.

However, you can also enable drop-ins outside your house if you want to, and permitted contacts will be able to drop in on your Echo.

how to drop in on an echo device enabled
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Enable Drop In on your profile

To make Drop In calls via the Alexa app and have others do the same, you’ll need to enable Drop In on your profile. Fortunately, this is very easy to do.

Step 1: Select the Communicate bubble at the bottom of the Alexa app, and then select the Drop In icon at the top. A message will pop up on how to enable Drop In by going to My Profile.

Step 2: Once there, make sure the Drop In section is enabled, and if it isn’t, select it to enable it.

how to drop in on an echo device contact
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Enable contact’s Drop In and ask them to do the same

Now, it’s time to enable Drop In for other contacts you may have.

Step 1: Select the Communicate icon again, choose the person icon in the upper-right corner to go to your contacts, and choose the contacts you want to talk to. You will notice they have Alexa Calling & Messaging under their name if they have an Echo device or Alexa account, signifying you can enable Drop In for them.

Step 2: Under Permissions, make sure the Allow Drop In option is chosen for the contacts you want to have Drop In enabled for on your device.

However, it’s important to call up your contact and have them do the same for your contact info unless you only want the Drop In option to be a one-way communication tool. If you want to set up drop-ins for your kids or other family members instead of just devices, you can create contacts for them here, and enable those drop-ins as well, so you can call them by name when giving commands.

amazon echo 4th gen review  13 of 14
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Begin calling

After the setup is complete, you’re ready to try out a call. You activate the feature by speaking the word you’ve chosen to enable its capabilities, then you say, “drop in on [person’s name],” and your device should ring that person. You can also go directly to the Contact page and select the person you want to call.

When someone drops in on you, the light ring on your Echo will pulse green, a tone will sound, and they will be connected automatically, allowing them to hear anything that is within range of your device. If you and your contact are using devices equipped with a screen, the video will appear somewhat distorted for several seconds, so you have an opportunity to get ready. There are verbal and tactile options to leave a video while remaining on the call, namely by saying “Video off” or pressing the onscreen Video Off button.

How to disable Drop In

While Drop In is great for chatting with friends or making announcements throughout your home, you might not like the idea of folks jumping into your Echo device unannounced. If you’re looking to turn off Drop In, here’s what you'll need to do.

Step 1: In the Alexa app, open the Devices menu.

Step 2: Head to the Echo & Alexa menu.

Step 3: Find the device you’d like to disable Drop In.

Step 4: Click Communications.

Step 5: Finally, select Drop In. From here, you’ll have the option to disable the service.

Editors' Recommendations

Erika Rawes
Smart Home Evergreen Coordinator
Erika became a professional writer in 2010, and her work is published all over the web on sites ranging from USA Today to…
You don’t want to miss this Roomba deal — save $28
iRobot Roomba 694 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum cleaning up spilled cereal.

Amazon has one of the best robot vacuum deals around today with $28 off the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum. Ordinarily priced at $275, it's down to $247 for a limited time making it an instant best seller in the genre at Amazon. You're going to need to be fast to snag this deal though so let's take a quick look at what you need to know about it before you commit to a purchase.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
No one likes vacuuming manually. It's an annoying chore that's vital for making your home look and feel cleaner. The iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum takes out much of that effort so you can leave the robot vacuum to do all the hard work for you. It's smart enough to learn your cleaning habits before automatically creating a customized cleaning schedule so it does the best job for you every time, just like the best robot vacuums. It also has Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility so you can use your voice to command the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum to get to work.

Read more
The best smart plugs of 2023: What is a smart plug, and which do I need?
A Wemo Indoor smart plug on a table.

Smart home devices have come a long way over the past few years. Walk into any home improvement store or supermarket, and you’re bound to find a wide variety of smart lights, smart locks, smart thermostats, and an assortment of other “smart” gadgets. But one often overlooked category is smart plugs – tiny devices that plug into your electrical outlet and give your “dumb” electronics the versatility of a modern smart home device.

Beyond giving you remote control of your outlets, many smart plugs allow you to set timers or monitor your electricity usage. This makes them surprisingly versatile while still carrying an affordable price tag. Plenty of big names (like Amazon and Wyze) are producing smart plugs, but they’re far from your only option. Here’s a closer look at the best smart plugs of 2023.

Read more
Get fit at home: This Hydrow Smart Rower is $300 off at Amazon
A woman using the Hydrow Connected Rowing Machine in front of a forest scene.

Amazon has a fantastic deal on the Hydrow Connected Rowing Machine for anyone keen to get fitter without needing to leave their home. Normally priced at $2,495, the Hydrow Connected Rowing Machine is currently down to $2,195 so you save a massive $300 off the regular price. Making it more affordable for anyone kitting out their home gym, this is sure to be one deal you won't want to miss out on. Here's what we know about it before you hit the buy button.

Why you should buy the Hydrow Connected Rowing Machine
Buying the best smart home gym equipment is a great way to avoid needing to leave your home to exercise or pay for expensive gym memberships each month. In the case of the Hydrow Connected Rowing Machine, you get a great cardio workout while working on your arms too. It promises to work 86% of the body's major muscle groups proving to be high-energy yet low-impact. Hydrow uses patented technology so you get an experience as close as possible to being on a boat in terms of effort.

Read more