How to Set Up Drop-In on Your Echo Devices
To begin using the Drop-In feature as an intercom, you must first set up Alexa Calling and Messaging on the Alexa app. You’re prompted to do this when you download and install the app. If not, select Communicate from the bottom menu, enter your mobile phone number, and give permission for calling and messaging. Drop-In is set to off by default, so you’ll need to turn it on for your Echo devices. After that, follow these steps:
How to Use Echo’s Drop-In Feature as an Intercom
After you’ve enabled Drop-In on all your Echo devices, you can start using the Echo’s Drop-In feature as an intercom.
Alexa Announcements
Using Announcements is a great way to tell the family it’s dinnertime or let everyone know it’s time for bed. Use Announcements from any Echo speaker by saying a command such as:
“Alexa, announce…““Alexa, broadcast…““Alexa, tell everyone…”
For instance, if you say, “Alexa, tell everyone it’s time for breakfast,” Alexa plays a chime on every Echo device and says, “Announcement.” Alexa then plays your voice saying, “It’s time for breakfast.”
Make an Announcement Using the Alexa App
You can also use the Alexa app to make an announcement, which is helpful if you’re away from home:
When You Want to Avoid Interruptions
If you have a video-enabled device, but you don’t want to use video during a Drop-In conversation, say, “Alexa, Video off.” Alternatively, touch the screen and select the Video Off button. To turn on Do Not Disturb, say, “Alexa, don’t disturb me.” To turn off Do Not Disturb, say, “Alexa, turn off Do Not Disturb.”
