How To Set Up Facetime On Alexa

Michael Simon

If you have an Amazon Echo in your home you already know how useful it can be. In addition to turning on your lights, playing music, and checking the weather, yous can as well use your Echo devices to make phone calls and video calls—fifty-fifty if the people you're calling don't have an Echo device of their own.

Hither's how it all works:

Which devices are capable?

Echo
Echo Dot
Echo Show
Echo Spot
Echo Plus
Burn down tablets (4th generation and afterward) with the Alexa app
Compatible iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets with the Alexa app

How do I brand a telephone call using Alexa?

The get-go thing you demand to do is give Alexa admission to your contacts. Caput over the the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android phone and tap the Calling & Messaging tab on the bar at the bottom of the screen (the icon 2d from the left that looks like a conversation chimera). If yous oasis't already enabled it, the app will inquire permission to access your contacts and register your telephone number. (That's for caller ID purposes. If you opt-out, your calls will show upwards as "Unknown.")

alexa app contacts — Alexa needs access to your contacts before y'all can offset making calls.

Once y'all finish, yous'll instantly exist able to call and message your friends and family who have Echo devices. And so, placing a call is as unproblematic every bit asking Alexa to call someone. For example, if you want to call your mom, merely say, "Alexa, telephone call mom."

What if the person I want to call doesn't have an Repeat?

If yous endeavour to telephone call someone who has an Repeat, Alexa will automatically ring it (assuming they've likewise signed upwardly for calling and messaging in their Alexa app).

If your recipient doesn't accept an Echo device (or it isn't enabled), Alexa will do 1 of two things: call the Alexa app on their telephone (if it's been gear up to receive calls), or dial the number associated with the contact. If there are multiple numbers attached to a contact, information technology will ask which one y'all want to call. Then say, "mobile" or "domicile telephone," and Alexa will dial the appropriate number.

Yes, you can telephone call a number that's not in your contacts by speaking the number to Alexa (eastward.thousand. "Alexa, call ane-ii-iii-4-5-6-7-8-ix-0").

Tin I make international calls?

Yous tin can call Echos in any state that supports Alexa-to-Alexa Calling & Messaging, but non-Echo landline and mobile calls are express to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Tin can I phone call any number?

Alexa will be able to punch most numbers, but there are a few notable exceptions:

Emergency services numbers (eastward.g. "911")
Premium-rate numbers (east.g. "1-900" numbers, or toll numbers)
Any local X-1-1 numbers or abbreviated punch codes (due east.chiliad. "211," "411," etc.)
International numbers (numbers outside of the U.s.a., Canada, and Mexico)
Dial-by-alphabetic character numbers (e.thou. "1-800-FLOWERS")

What if I don't have an Echo?

You don't actually demand an Echo to brand a call using Alexa. If you open the Calling & Messaging tab on the mobile app, y'all tin call anyone on your contacts list. Simply tap the name of the person you want to call. If they accept an Echo device, you'll come across icons for voice and video calls at the top. If not, y'all can tap one of their other numbers to apply Alexa Calling to call a landline or mobile number.

alexa app calls — You can make a call to someone's Repeat or mobile phone from right within the Alexa app.

How practice I end a call?

Simply say, "Alexa, end the telephone call" or "Alexa, hang up." On Repeat Spots and Echo Shows, you tin can also tap the cherry-red telephone icon on the screen.

How do I make a video call?

If you initiate a call from an Echo Bear witness or Echo Spot, it will default to a video call, equally if you lot were using Apple tree's Facetime or Google Duo. If you don't want to be on camera, merely say, "Alexa, turn the video off" or tap the camera icon on the screen.

How do I answer an incoming call?

When a call comes in, your Echo volition play a ringing audio and its ring will glow yellow. To answer the call, just say, "Alexa, answer the phone call."

Tin I block numbers?

You can cake numbers but if they're in your contacts listing (but don't worry, you won't be getting whatever spam calls on your Repeat). Get to the Calling and Messaging tab in the Alexa app, tap the contacts icon in the top correct, and so open up the iii-dot menu in the right corner of the next screen. You'll run into an selection for "Block Contacts." Select information technology and then choose any contact y'all want to block.

Can I phone call another Echo in my house?

alexa app drop in — You don't have to call other Echos in your house—you can only Drop In on them.

A characteristic called Drop In lets household members instantly connect to Repeat devices in other rooms. To enable it, tap on the "Set up Driblet In" imprint at the top of the Calling & Messaging screen. Then tap Contour Settings and flip the "Allow Drop In" toggle blue. (You lot tin can too say, "Alexa, drib in" and complete the setup via voice.) Y'all'll now be able to utilize your Echo as an intercom by request to drop in on an Echo in a different room. You'll need to call information technology exactly by proper noun though, and then make sure y'all recollect what your Echos in other rooms are called.

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Michael Simon has been covering Apple tree since the iPod was the iWalk. His obsession with engineering goes back to his outset PC—the IBM Thinkpad with the elevator-up keyboard for swapping out the bulldoze. He's notwithstanding waiting for that to come up back in style tbh.