While you can participate in group calls on your Echo or Echo Show by asking Alexa to initiate one, you have to set everything up first through the Alexa app. Group calling also has to be enabled via the Alexa app before you can start or join group calls (you’ll get a prompt to do so the first time you create a group).
How Does Group Calling Work on Alexa and Echo?
Group calling is a free feature available to everyone who owns a compatible Echo device. It leverages the same technology used for placing calls with an Echo and Alexa’s drop-in feature. The main difference is you have to set up a group in the Alexa app before making a call. Each group is limited to seven people, but you can have as many groups set up as you want. For example, you could create a group for your immediate family, your closest friends, your co-workers, and so on. Once you’ve set up a group in your Alexa app, initiating a group call is a simple matter of asking Alexa to start a call on a compatible Echo device. This simple process requires you to say the wake word, call, and the group’s name. For example, you might say, “Alexa, call family.” From Discord to Zoom, there are many voice and video calling options out there you can use to keep in touch with groups of family, friends, and co-workers. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses. Some services are expensive or come with only a limited number of free minutes, and most require you to install and set up an app on your computer or phone.
