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How to Make Calls with Your Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot is an incredibly versatile device. In addition to playing music, getting information, controlling smart home devices, and more, you can also use your Echo Dot to make and receive phone calls. Here is a detailed guide on how to set up calling on your Echo Dot and everything you can do.

Prerequisites for Calling with Echo Dot

Before you can start making calls with your Echo Dot, there are a few prerequisites:

  • Have an Echo Dot – The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation Echo Dot models all support calling features.
  • The Alexa App – You’ll need to install the latest version of the Alexa app on your smartphone and sign in to your Amazon account. The app allows you to manage contacts, permissions, and more.
  • Confirm Your Phone Number – The Alexa app will prompt you to enter your phone number so the Echo Dot knows which number to use when making outbound calls.

Once those three things are set up, you can begin making calls!

Making Outbound Calls

Making outbound calls with your Echo Dot is simple. Just use your voice to tell Alexa who you want to call! Here are some examples:

  • “Alexa, call Mom”
  • “Alexa, call John’s mobile”
  • “Alexa, call 555-1234”

You can call contacts that are saved in your Alexa app or dial numbers directly. If a contact has multiple numbers, like a home and work number, you can specify which one to dial.

Limitations: Emergency service, premium, abbreviated dial codes, and most international numbers cannot be called with your Echo Dot.

Receiving Inbound Calls

Your Echo Dot can also receive calls! When you get an incoming call, your Echo Dot’s light ring will turn green and Alexa will announce who’s calling.

To answer, simply say “Alexa, answer.” You can carry on your conversation hands-free. When you’re ready to hang up, say “Alexa, hang up.”

Inbound calls to your Echo Dot can originate from other Alexa devices or the Alexa app. The caller must have your phone number or Echo contact information saved in their Alexa contacts.

Alexa App Calling

You don’t need an Echo Dot to make Alexa-powered calls. The Alexa app allows you to place calls to any of your Alexa contacts.

To call from the app:

  1. Open the Alexa app
  2. Tap the Communicate tab
  3. Tap Contacts and select the contact
  4. Tap Call and then the number or device

The Alexa app also displays your full call history and lets you play back voicemail messages.

Alexa Calling Features

Alexa calling has a few nifty features to improve your experience:

  • Call Announcements – Alexa will announce who’s calling before you pick up
  • Call Screening – You can choose to “answer” or “ignore” based on who’s calling
  • Drop In – Instantly connect to Echo devices in your home like an intercom
  • Video Calling – Echo Show devices allow you to make video calls

So that covers the basics of making and receiving calls with your Echo Dot! With a little setup, you’ll be chatting hands-free in no time.

Troubleshooting Alexa Calling Issues

Sometimes you may run into issues getting calling to work properly on your Echo Dot. Here is how to troubleshoot some common problems:

Can’t connect to Wi-Fi

  • Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on in your Alexa app settings
  • Reboot your router and Echo Dot
  • Move your Echo Dot closer to your router

Alexa doesn’t understand you

  • Use the Voice Training tool in the Alexa app
  • Speak clearly and enunciate
  • Add more contacts to improve recognition

Echo Dot won’t receive calls

  • Double check that your phone number is confirmed in the Alexa app
  • Make sure the caller has your contact info saved

Poor audio quality

  • Keep background noise to a minimum during calls
  • Improve Wi-Fi strength near your Echo Dot

Can’t hear notifications

  • Turn up notification volume in Echo Dot sound settings

Following troubleshooting tips and tweaking settings usually gets Alexa calling working properly. Just say “Alexa, call Amazon support” if issues persist!

Tips for Making Echo Dot Calls

Here are some handy tips to improve your experience making calls with your Echo Dot:

  • Use Alexa routines to create voice shortcuts to call frequently dialed numbers
  • Enable captions on Echo Show devices for easier call understanding
  • Reduce background noise so Alexa can hear you clearly during calls
  • Create Alexa contact groups to easily call multiple people at once
  • Link Alexa to your mobile number to make and receive calls on your existing phone plan

Conclusion

The ability to make and receive calls turns your Echo Dot into so much more than just a smart speaker. With just a little setup in the Alexa app, you are able to easily call friends and family completely hands-free. Troubleshoot minor issues as they come up and you’ll enjoy crystal clear calls with excellent voice recognition. So grab your Echo Dot and start chatting!

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