One of the tasks that Alexa can take off to-do lists is to make hands-free calls. But the Echo’s multitasking doesn’t stop with justmaking phone callswhile you cook dinner. The Echo can also call multiple devices at once with Alexa group calls, a feature launched after the growth of video calling in 2020. Alexa group calls are compatible with any Echo device, as well as with the Alexa app. On screen-based devices like theEcho Showand smartphones, you can start video group calls rather than just voice.
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There are a few reasons to use Alexa for group calls rather than a smartphone, whether you just want to call your family downstairs for dinner or talk to friends scattered around the globe. On Echo Show, the larger screen allows you to have a better view of the group participants. Once you set up a group inside Alexa, the smart home hub can also quickly dial with just a voice prompt, like “Alexa, call my family.” While Alexa can make single calls to someone without an Alexa device or the Alexa app, group calls are limited to Alexa devices or the Alexa app. Alexa can alsocall Fire tabletsas well as other Echo devices. Alexa Groups are limited to seven people, keeping in mind one of those group members is yourself.
While asking Alexa to make a group call is simple, you do need to set up contacts and groups first – which isn’t as self-explanatory as saying, “Alexa, call mom.” Here’s what Alexa users need to know to create contacts, add groups, and start making hands-free group calls.
How to add contacts to Alexa
Before you can create a group, you’ll need to have the people that you would like in your group already in your Alexa contacts. The simplest way to do this is to import your smartphone contacts to Alexa, using the smartphone app. Alternatly, if you don’t want to give Alexa access to your contacts list, you can also add contacts one at a time. If you’ve already added your contacts, you can skip ahead to creating a group.
Alternatively, you can add new contacts one at a time if you don’t want to give Alexa access to your contacts list. To do that, follow these steps:
How to set up and make Alexa Group Calls
Once your contacts are inside Alexa, you can start grouping them together. You only need to create the group one time, then you can simply ask Alexa to call the group. Groups are created inside the Alexa app rather than from the Echo device.
How to edit Alexa Group contacts
Once you create a group, you or any member can edit it at any time. This is also where you’re able to find the settings to leave an Aelxa group or add a new member after a group has already been created. To adjust a group, follow these steps:
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Not only can you place a call using the feature, but you’re able to also leave a voice message or send a text-based message.
Alexa Group calling: Privacy features to know
Alexa Groups do not have an administrator and nothing inside a group is private, including the group name. When you add a contact in your phone, the person on the other end doesn’t typically know what you typed in. However, this is not true with Alexa group calling. If you create a family group and nickname the group what you really think of them, everyone will see that name. This is not the time to get creative. Keep the group name appropriate and easy to say.
Once you add the group, the other members of the group will be able to use the same group for calls as well. Without an administrator, there are no options to prevent others from making changes to the group. Other members of the group will also be able to add and delete group members. You can leave a group at any time by editing the group. Only one person needs to create the group to get started.
On Alexa, group calls are limited to seven people. That includes you, so you will only be able to add six others to each group.
