Tech tip - "Alexa drop in" - how to use your Amazon Echo as an intercom system

If own Amazon Echo devices in your office or house (or both), the “Alexa - Drop In” feature allows you to use your digital assistant as an intercom or phone to your other Echo devices, or to anyone you know who has enabled external calls.  Here is how to it:

• Open your Alexa app on your smartphone
• Tap “Devices” (menu option at the bottom of the screen)
• Tap “Echo & Alexa” to list all of your devices and to enable the ‘Drop In’ feature on each device.
• Select the device then Scroll down to “Communications”
• Select “Drop In” and then select from:
  • “On” (permitted contacts only) this allows anyone with an Echo in your permitted contacts list to drop into your device (it requires you to authorise the answer)
  • “My household” (only devices in my account) which allows only your Echo device to communicated together (it doesn’t require you to authorise the answer)
  • “Off” (Nobody can drop in)

To use the “Drop In” feature do the following:

• For a specific device say “Alexa, drop in device name” (for example “Alexa drop in lounge”).
• To speak to all devices in your account, say “Alexa Drop in everywhere.”
• To end the Drop In connection say “Alexa, end drop in.” or “Alexa, stop”