Alexa Drop In opens a live audio or video connection to an allowed Echo device without the other side answering first. That makes it convenient, but also privacy-sensitive.
These steps apply to Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and other Alexa devices connected to the same Amazon household or approved contacts.
Does this affect you?
Use this if you want to check a room, talk to another Echo instantly, or understand how Drop In differs from a normal Alexa call. It only works where permission is enabled.
Turn on Drop In
- Open the Alexa app.
- Tap Communicate.
- Tap the Contacts icon.
- Choose yourself or the household member you want to configure.
- Tap Edit.
- Turn on Drop In.
- Choose the allowed level, such as Household or allowed contacts.
- For a specific Echo, open Devices > Echo & Alexa, select the device, open Communications, and enable Drop In.
Repeat this for each device or contact that should be reachable. Anyone not allowed remains off-limits.
Drop in on a device
- Say Alexa, drop in on [device name], such as Alexa, drop in on Kitchen.
- Listen for the tone while the connection opens.
- From the Alexa app, tap Communicate, choose Devices or Contacts, then tap Drop In.
- On Echo Show to Echo Show calls, video starts blurred for a few seconds before becoming clear.
There is no ring and no accept button. That is the point of Drop In, so use it only with rooms and people where instant access is welcome.
Privacy controls
Drop In plays an audible tone or shows a brief warning before the connection is usable. Do not try to bypass that warning.
Press the physical microphone-off button on an Echo to disable the mic, and on camera models disable camera access too. When the mic is off, Drop In, announcements, and voice commands cannot use that device until it is turned back on.
To turn Drop In off broadly, open Communicate > Contacts, select yourself, tap Edit, and set Drop In to Off. Outside-household Drop In requires explicit permission from both sides.
Sources
- Amazon Alexa Help – Use Drop In on Alexa devices (2025)
- Amazon Alexa Help – Manage Alexa communication settings (2025)
- Amazon Alexa Help – Set up your household in the Alexa app (2025)