Hey there! Have you ever wished you could instantly call up your kids while away running errands to see if they‘ve done their chores? Or check in with your pets at home to say a quick hello? Well with the Amazon Echo and Alexa smart assistant, you can totally do this and more using a fun feature called Drop In.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll give you all the details on what Drop In is, exactly how it works between your devices, tips to get it set up properly, creative ways to use it in your own home, and even some awesome accessories that make it even easier. Time to take your Echo devices to the next level!
What is Alexa Drop In? A Quick Explainer
Alexa Drop In allows Echo smart speakers and displays to work like an intercom system, providing instant, hands-free calls between your devices. Think of it like a one-touch button to immediately connect and communicate with family members through Echos placed around your house.
This gives you the flexibility to quickly call your kids to announce dinner is ready, check if the TV is still blaring music with no one listening, or remind your roommate it‘s their turn to take out the trash. From any room to any room, Alexa makes an interhome intercom network. Pretty cool right?
And because Echos utilize far-field microphones and surround sound speakers, the two-way call quality is extremely clear. It really does feel like you‘re standing right next to the person as you chat. Much more direct than shouting down hallways or floors like we did as kids!
How Does the Alexa Drop In Feature Work?
But how exactly does this Alexa intercom work behind the scenes? Here‘s a quick rundown:
- You enable Drop In permissions in the Alexa app for selected contacts
- Initiate a Drop In via voice command or in the app to connect instantly
- The receiving Echo plays an audible chime to signal an incoming call
- Far-field mics turn on for hands-free talking and listening
- Either party says "Alexa, hang up" when finished
Throughout the call Alexa streams audio between the connected devices so you and the receivers can hear each other loud and clear. Think of it like a Zoom call minus the video between your smart speakers!
And for even more clarity, Echo Show smart displays will activate the camera and screen so you can also see who you‘re talking to. Super handy for checking in visually around the house if you set up Show devices in key areas. More on how video Drop Ins work later on.
First up, let‘s go through getting Drop In fully set up step-by-step.
How to Set Up Alexa Drop In
It only takes about 5 minutes to get Drop In fully up and running. Here‘s what to do:
Open the Alexa App
The Alexa app for iOS or Android is the control hub for all your Echo gadgets. If you haven‘t already downloaded it, grab it from the App Store or Play Store now.
Once installed, open it up and log in using your Amazon creds. This authorizes the app to discover and manage any Echos you have registered to the same account.
Pro Tip: Make sure to use the same Amazon account that your Echo devices are registered under. Otherwise you won‘t see your speakers appear correctly in the Devices list for further set up.
Enable Drop In Permission
For another user to be able to drop in to your Echo, you first need to approve them. Start by tapping the Communicate icon on the bottom menu.
Next choose Contacts from the top right, select your name, then toggle the slider for Drop In to the on position. Do this for any household members or other users you‘re comfortable allowing open communication access.
You‘ll repeat this permission process on the other person‘s Alexa app account as well. This two-way access authorization is crucial for unfettered interhome chatting via Echo.
Insider Tip: I recommend only enabling Drop In for those you fully trust, like close family and friends. While it‘s useful, you are giving open mic access when they choose to connect.
Connect Speakers (Optional)
To amplify the intercom experience even more, I highly suggest wiring up external speakers in key rooms. The tinny audio from the built-in Echo transducers can undermine call clarity.
Instead, mounting some nice bookshelf stereo speakers connected to the Echo‘s 3.5mm AUX jack makes a world of difference. I went with these highly-rated, budget-friendly Dayton Audio B652 speakers for a few rooms and couldn‘t be happier.
The difference in loudness and definition brings the Drop In calls to life, making it truly seem like the person is in the same space. At around $50 for the pair, it‘s a cheap upgrade that makes Drop Ins way more valuable.
4 Easy Steps to Use Alexa Drop In
Alright, now that everything‘s set up we can get to the fun part…using this intercom!
In just a few quick taps or voice commands, you‘ll be linked up.
1. Open the Alexa App
Whether you‘re headed off to work or the grocery store, open up that handy Alexa app first. All your Echo controls live right in here.
2. Select Drop In
Next choose the Devices tab at the bottom, then tap to open the Echo you want to connect to. For example the kitchen speaker.
Scroll down and select Drop In. So easy!
3. Listen for the Ring
A nice loud ring will chime on the receiving Echo speaker to signal an incoming call. So if you‘re Drop In‘ing the living room TV, those in the room will be alerted.
Hot Tip: This ring acts as a great notification that you‘re about to start talking. So people can wrap up inappropriate convos real quick before you barge in!
4. Start Chatting!
After a few seconds the mics turn on automatically and you‘ll hear ambient sounds from the room. Go ahead and start talking hands-free.
To hang up just say the wake word "Alexa!" and the command "hang up". The other party can end the call from their end at any point too. Nice and easy!
And that‘s really all there is too it! Now let‘s explore some creative ways you can supercharge communication across your household.
Fun Uses for Alexa Drop In Intercom
You might be wondering what types of real-world uses this intercom functionality enables. Well here‘s just a handful of the gamechanging applications I‘ve discovered for my own home:
Whole House Audio
Because the Drop In calls pump crystal clear audio throughout your dwelling, you now have a networked sound system!
For example, drop into the kitchen speaker while cooking to keep listening to your audiobook playing from the bedroom. Or have Alexa blast the big game from the living room TV to the garage or back patio. No more cranking devices to max volume and still straining to hear!
*Lightbulb Moment: This whole home audio feed works for music streaming too! Just have Alexa play songs on devices in rooms you want filled.**
Instant Announcements
Tapping into all Echo speakers at once is perfect for those family alerts you need broadcast instantly. "Dinner‘s ready!" or "Time leave to school!" will blast from the mounted dashboard Dot in the kid‘s rooms rather than hoping they hear you shouting up the stairs.
No more repeat yelling until you‘re hoarse!
Check in on Kids or Pets
I absolutely love using drop in to briefly check on my young kids in the playroom when I run out to grab the mail. Just a quick "What are you rascals up to?" reminds them I‘ve still got eyes (and ears) on them!
And being able to talk to my golden retriever Roxie makes leaving her home alone while at work much less sad. I‘ll miss you girl!
Pro Parenting Move: Set up an old smartphone or tablet permanently signed into your Alexa app. Mount it as a Drop In controller for easy access to all Echos without pulling out your phone.
Alexa Drop In Next Level: Echo Show Video
So up until now I‘ve focused on the voice-only intercom abilities. But I have to talk about the gamechanging awesomeness of adding video into the mix with the Echo Show devices.
Drop In on these tablets transforms into full-on video chat thanks to the built-in camera. That means you can call up the Show in the kitchen and not only talk to whoever‘s in there, but see them as well!
It‘s an incredible way to digitally peer into different rooms. Almost like master monitors in a security office of yesteryear. But way more fun and helpful!
Visual Check Ins
Like I mentioned before, video drop ins are amazing for quick check ins. Glance at the screen to make sure the kids are actually doing homework and not building pillow forts.
Or see that the living room is now a massive lego explosion that you‘ll need to handle when getting home rather than being surprised walking in the door.
Remote Camera Viewing
You can also set up Echo Show tablets specifically to leverage the camera view. Mount one aiming out a window to check yard status, weather conditions, package deliveries etc.
Or get the perfect nursery cam without running power cords by installing a Show on the bookcase. Now it‘s doing double duty providing music and nature sounds in the room and acting as a video monitor. Value!
Extra Accessories
To augment these awesome video Drop Ins even more, I highly recommend these extra gadgets:
- Echo Show Wall Mount – Perfect for mounting a Show as a nursery cam
- Socket Wall Power Adapter – Cleanly hides wires for wall mounted Shows
- Adjustable Stand – Flexibly angles any Show on shelves or counters
Final Tips for Next Level Alexa Drop Ins
Hopefully by now you have a solid understanding of how to fully setup and leverage Alexa‘s Drop In intercom powers. But before we wrap up, I want to drop some key need-to-know tips:
- Echo Dot Pairs Rock: Use a set of Dots paired in stereo mode for killer roomfilling sound in Drop Ins. Beats the tiny single speaker.
- Default to Brief Mode: This limits responses to a short beep rather than "OK" to keep Echo chatter at a minimum on calls.
- Mount Tablets as Controllers: Dedicate an old phone or Fire tablet for quick access to room-to-room calls.
- Utilize Device Names: Rename your Echos in the app so you can easily request Drop Ins with "Alexa, call the Nursery Echo" etc.
Alright my friend, that about covers everything you need to know about unlocking and leveling up your Alexa Drop In powers!
I don‘t know about you, but I‘m excited to really tap into all these intercom features to take my household communication into the 21st century. No more strained yelling or rooms filled with ignored requests!
Let me know if any other tips or tricks come up. And stay tuned for more cool tech tutorials coming down the line. Talk soon!
