How to make a video call using the Echo Show

Man holding coffee mug sitting in front of Echo Show on a video call
(Image credit: Amazon)

Understanding how to make a video call using the Echo Show will help you get even more out of what we consider one of the best smart speakers and best smart displays.

Whether you have the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), the compact Echo Show 5 or the bold and big Amazon Echo Show 15, it's easy to make video calls with your Alexa-enabled smart display.

Making a video call is among the best Alexa skills, so it's worth knowing how to do it, especially at times when you can't see certain family and friends in person. Best of all, both parties don't even need an Echo Show, since you can make and receive calls to an Echo Show using a smartphone.

If you own one of the traditional Echo speakers found on our best Alexa speakers round up, you can make a regular calls too, as detailed in our guide on how to make a voice call using Alexa.

Sure, you can use your Echo Show for voice-only calls as well, but sometimes it's better to see someone's face when you're chatting with them. 

If you're all set, here's how to make a video call using the Echo Show. 

How to make a video call using the Echo Show

To make a video call using the Echo Show, first make sure the person you want to speak to either has the Alexa app set up on their mobile phone or also owns an Echo Show.

There are two ways to initiate calls: with your voice and through tapping the Echo Show display. We'll walk you through both. 

How to make a video call using the Echo Show with your voice

Step 1: Say, "Alexa, video call [contact name]." Alexa might ask you to confirm the contact information of the person you're trying to reach before initiating the call.

How to make a video call using the Echo Show

(Image credit: Future)

Step 2: Wait for the other person to answer. If you can't see yourself on the screen, make sure the camera shutter on your device isn't closed, or that the camera off icon isn't selected. If you didn't mean to make the call, click the red hang up button or say, "Alexa, end video call."

How to make a video call using the Echo Show

(Image credit: Future)

How to make a video call using the Echo Show through the display

Step 1: Swipe the right side of the display towards the left to open the Echo Show feature menu. On the menu that appears, click communicate. 

How to make a video call using the Echo Show

(Image credit: Future)

Step 2: Click 'Show contacts' to see your contact list. Scroll to find the contact for the person you're looking to reach and select their name. 

How to make a video call using the Echo Show

(Image credit: Future)

Step 3: Click the call icon under the 'Alexa devices' menu on the contact's information page. This will initiate a video call.

How to make a video call using the Echo Show

(Image credit: Future)

Now you know how to make a video call using the Echo Show, Echo Show 5 or Echo Show 8. And if you only have the Alexa app on your phone, you can still do video chats using Amazon's voice assistant.

How to make a group video call on the Echo Show

You can make group calls on the Echo Show, too. The caveat is that all call members must opt-in to Alexa's group call features first.

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

Now you've learned how to make a video call using the Echo Show, take a look at what we think are the 10 coolest things the Amazon Echo Show can do. Or general advice, check out how to use Alexa: Tips, tricks and general instructions.

Kate Kozuch

Kate Kozuch is an editor at Tom’s Guide covering smartwatches, TVs and everything smart-home related. Kate also appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account, which you should be following. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her on an exercise bike, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef. 


  • Japat
    We want to use the Echo Show 8 to converse with aging mother in a retirement home. She has wi-fi, but no smart phone, and is unable to use a PC. Can we set it up on wi-fi so that she can initiate a video call to us using Alexa?
    Reply