We consider the Echo Show to be one of the best smart displays and speakers you can buy. Once you know how to make a video call using the Echo Show it becomes even more useful for your everyday routine.
Whether you have the mid-size Amazon Echo Show 8 (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.
Video calling 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 through the Alexa app.
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 it's oftentimes better to see someone's face when you're chatting with them. 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.
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 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.
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.
Step 3: Click the call icon under the 'Alexa devices' menu on the contact's information page. This will initiate a video call.
Step 4 (optional): Add the "Favorite contacts" Alexa widget to the home screen of your Echo Show. You can tap on this widget to quickly initiate a video call with your most active contacts with a single click. This is included by default and appears as a star in the widgets section at the top right corner of the smart display.
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 video chat 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.
