Alexa Video Calls Explained

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A happy mother and her baby making a video call on a laptop to connect with a loved one from home.
Credit: pexels.com, A happy mother and her baby making a video call on a laptop to connect with a loved one from home.

Alexa video calls allow you to make hands-free video calls to friends and family with an Echo device.

You can use Alexa video calls to connect with others from the comfort of your own home, no matter where they are in the world.

To start a video call, simply say "Alexa, call [name]" or "Alexa, video call [name]".

The person you're calling will receive a notification on their device and can answer the call by saying "Alexa, answer" or "Alexa, accept".

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Getting Started

To get started with Alexa video calls, you'll need to give Alexa access to your smartphone's contacts. You'll also need to enter your mobile phone number to sync with your account if you haven't previously done so.

To set up Alexa for video calls, open the Alexa app and tap on the Communicate icon, which looks like a speech bubble. You'll be prompted to enter your mobile number and give Alexa permission to access your contacts.

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Credit: youtube.com, Make An Audio/Video Call from Amazon Echo Show (How To Setup Alexa Calling)

You can also use an Echo Show or Spot device to make video calls, but you'll need to pair the device within the Amazon Alexa app first.

Amazon offers several smart screen displays that can be used to make video calls, including the Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show (second-generation). Here are the details on each:

  • Echo Show 5: 5.5-inches, ideal for small spaces
  • Echo Show 8: 8-inch HD smart screen, great for kitchen countertops
  • Echo Show (second-generation): 10.1-inch HD screen, premium audio quality
  • Echo Spot (discontinued): 2.5-inch screen, still usable for video calls

If you're having trouble getting Alexa to recognize the correct contact for your video call, you can use the Echo Show touchscreen to access a variety of functions.

Making Calls

Making calls with Alexa is a breeze. You can initiate a video call by saying, "Alexa, video call [contact name]" or by tapping the Echo Show touchscreen.

To make a group call, you'll need to set up a group in the Alexa app and have each member opt-in. This allows you to call up to seven participants simultaneously, including a mix of Echo and Echo Show users.

You can also make a group call using voice commands by saying, "Alexa, call (group name)" after setting up the group and having all members opt-in.

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How To Make

Credit: youtube.com, Making calls with Alexa

To make a group video call on the Echo Show, create a contact group within your Alexa app and then say, "Alexa, video call [contact group name]" to initiate the call.

You can also make a group call that includes up to seven participants by setting up a group in the Alexa app, having each member opt-in, and then saying, "Alexa, call (group name)" to initiate the call.

To initiate a group call, make sure the camera shutter is open on your Echo Show and have all participants opt-in to group calling.

If you're having trouble getting Alexa to recognize the correct contact for your video call, try using the Echo Show touchscreen to access a variety of functions.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making a group call on Echo Show:

  1. Set up a group in the Alexa app.
  2. Opt into group calling.
  3. Wait for the other members to opt in.
  4. Make sure the camera shutter is open on your Echo Show.
  5. Say, “Alexa, call (group name)” to initiate a group call.

You can also use the Echo Show touchscreen to place a video call by swiping from the right side of the screen toward the center of the screen, tapping Communicate, and then tapping the name of the person you want to call.

Use Alexa on Phone to Make Voice

Credit: youtube.com, How To Make Phone Calls With Amazon Alexa Devices

To use Alexa on your phone to make a voice call, you'll need to open the Alexa app on your smartphone.

You can only call people who are in your contacts and also have an Echo or the Alexa app installed on their smartphone.

Tap the speech bubble on the left side of the bottom toolbar.

This is where you'll initiate the call and connect with the person on the other end.

Using Voice Commands

To initiate a video call using voice commands, simply say "Alexa, video call [contact name]." Alexa might ask you to confirm the contact information of the person you're trying to reach.

Make sure the camera shutter on your device is open and the camera off icon isn't selected, or you won't see yourself on the screen.

If you accidentally initiate a call, you can click the red hang up button or say "Alexa, end video call."

To confirm, saying "Alexa, video call [contact name]" is the starting point for a voice-activated video call.

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Display and Placement

Credit: youtube.com, How to set up video calling on Amazon Echo Show: from one house to another

The display and placement of your Echo Show device can greatly impact your Alexa video call experience. Make sure the camera shutter is open to ensure a clear video feed.

The touchscreen on your Echo Show is a useful feature, especially if you're having trouble getting Alexa to recognize the correct contact for your video call. Swipe from the right side of the screen toward the center of the screen to access the touchscreen.

To place a video call using the touchscreen, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure the camera shutter is open.
  2. Swipe from the right side of the screen toward the center of the screen.
  3. Tap Communicate.
  4. Tap the name of the person you want to call.
  5. Tap the video call icon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexa video call free?

Alexa video calls are not mentioned in the provided information, but regular voice calls to mobile and landline numbers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Mexico are free. Check the full Alexa Communication features for more information.

Gilbert Deckow

Senior Writer

Gilbert Deckow is a seasoned writer with a knack for breaking down complex technical topics into engaging and accessible content. With a focus on the ever-evolving world of cloud computing, Gilbert has established himself as a go-to expert on Azure Storage Options and related topics. Gilbert's writing style is characterized by clarity, precision, and a dash of humor, making even the most intricate concepts feel approachable and enjoyable to read.

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