Imagine if Apple Facetime wasn't limited to only communicating with Apple Devices. Alexa Messaging allows you to communicate with Android Devices, Apple Devices, and Amazon Echo Devices.
Amazon announced the availability of a new Alexa service enabling Echo customers in the U.S. to call and send voice messages for family and friends who have an Echo, Echo Dot, or the Alexa app. The new service is available for free on Echo and Echo Dot and with the updated Alexa app for iOS and Android phones. Download the new version of the Alexa app and start calling and messaging other Alexa customers.
Download the latest app, import your contacts, then just ask:
“Alexa, call Grace.” “Alexa, send a message to Chris.”
NEED TO KNOW
Alexa customers will automatically receive a free Alexa App update starting today, which will provide Alexa calling and messaging. After updating and opening the Alexa App, you’ll be taken through a quick set-up to import your contacts. Then just ask Alexa to call or message your contacts on their Echo device or Alexa App.
GET STARTED IN THREE EASY STEPS
Download the updated app (iOS or Android) Complete set-up including importing your contacts Call your friends! If they don’t have an Echo, let them know to download the Alexa App
TO RECEIVE CALLS THROUGH ALEXA
After setting up Alexa calling and messaging in the updated Alexa App, Alexa will announce who is calling and a green light ring will appear on your Echo devices when someone calls. To answer, just say, “Alexa, answer.”
TO SEND A VOICE MESSAGE THROUGH ALEXA
After setting up Alexa calling and messaging in the updated Alexa App, say, “Send Jenny a message”. After Alexa asks, “what’s the message?” say your message and Alexa will send it.
TO RETRIEVE MESSAGES THROUGH ALEXA
When someone messages you through Alexa on your Echo or Echo Dot, you will hear a chime and a green light ring will appear on your Echo devices - to hear the message, just ask “Alexa, play my messages.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can I call and message via Alexa?
You can voice call or message any contact who also has the free Alexa App, an Echo, or an Echo Dot.
What if I have an Echo and my dad has an Echo Dot—can we still call or message each other?
Yes!
Can more than one member of my family use Alexa calling and messaging?
Yes. If other members of your family have their own phone and phone number they can start using Alexa calling and messaging by downloading and installing the Alexa app on their phone. If members of the family are sharing the same Amazon account they will need to select “I am someone else” when asked who they are during app setup and enter their name and phone number. If they have their own Amazon account you also need to connect the two accounts in an Amazon Household.
Can I call a specific room?
No. When you call a specific contact, all of their devices will ring. If you call their home by asking Alexa to “Call Bob’s Home,” all devices in the household will ring. Once a call is answered or rejected on one Echo device, all other Echo devices connected to the Amazon account stop ringing. Once a message is played back on one Echo device, all other Echo devices in the home no longer display the green light ring. You can put specific Echo devices into “do not disturb” mode so you don’t receive calls or message notifications on those devices.
Do call and message notifications also appear on the Alexa apps?
If a message or call is for a specific individual, only that customer’s app will get the notification or ring; however, all Echo devices in the home group will also ring. If a call is for the home, then all Echo devices, but none of the apps, will ring. It is not possible to message home.
What if my friends don’t have an Echo; can I still call or message them?
Yes! Those friends would simply need to download the free Amazon Alexa App, available on iOS and Android phones.
What if I don't want to use Alexa calling and messaging?
These are optional features, no need to turn them on or use them if you prefer not to. But we think customers are going to love the convenience of hands-free calling and messaging!
Yes. Simply call Amazon customer service and they will disable calling and messaging for you. You can turn Drop In on and off on a device-by-device (or contact-by-contact) basis, or for all devices.
Can I call/message if my Echo Dot is connected to a Bluetooth speaker?
You can use messaging services; however, at launch, Bluetooth speaker functionality with Echo Dot does not work for calling. Instead, customers can use line-out from their Echo Dot to an external speaker in order to use calling.