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Perhaps you’re on vacation and want to talk to your pets for a moment, or you’re at the grocery store and need to ask a family member if you’re out of milk; the Alexa Drop-In feature makes all of this possible.

Before you can drop in on your Echo device, you need to enable the feature. Then, you can use the function any time you want.

What is Drop-In?

Alexa’s Drop-In feature is available on most Echo devices (Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show). The feature acts like a two-way intercom system where you can tell one Echo device to drop in on another or use the Alexa App on your smartphone.

When you drop into another Echo device, you can talk to others in the room, and they can speak back to you. However, some users aren’t big fans of the feature because you can interrupt someone’s music or just randomly start a call without consent.

Fortunately, there is an alert that a call is incoming, so those with permission can’t eavesdrop anonymously.

How to Drop in on Alexa

Before we can use the Drop-In feature, you’ll need to install the Alexa App on your smartphone and ensure your Echo devices are connected to Wi-Fi. Then, we can begin the process.

If you’ve already set up the Drop In feature in the Alexa app, you can tell Alexa to “drop into the living room echo.” A confirmation tone will sound, and you can start talking to the other Echo devices.

If you’re away, you can follow these steps to drop into your Echo devices from your smartphone.

Step 1: Open the Alexa App

Step 2: Tap Devices

At the bottom of the app, you’ll see a few options. Tap the Devices option at the bottom of the Alexa app.

Step 3: Tap Your Echo

You can now select the Echo & Devices option from the main screen. Or, you can scroll down the page a bit and tap on the Echo you’d like to drop into.

Step 4: Tap Drop In

Scroll down this new page and tap the Drop In option.

The Alexa app will immediately switch to a phone call screen, and your Echo will chime. Then, you can start talking through the device and hear others’ responses.

How to Enable Drop-In Permissions

If you tried to follow the steps above and can’t connect to your Alexa, you might not have the Drop-In permissions enabled in the Alexa app. Fortunately, you can enable the permissions quickly by following these steps:

Since the Alexa app is your Echo’s control center, open the Alexa app first.

Step 2: Tap Communicate

You’ll see a few icons at the bottom of the home screen. Tap on Communicate (the icon looks like a little chat bubble).

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Step 3: Tap the Contact Icon

Next, we need to access the contact permissions. Tap the Contact icon in the top right corner. The contact icon looks like two people.

Step 4: Tap Your Name

You’ll see your name near the top with My Communication Settings below. Tap your name.

Step 5: Tap Allow Drop In

Finally, toggle the switch next to Allow Drop In.

When you allow drop-in on Alexa, you can quickly use the Echo’s intercom function to start talking and listening in the room. If you want to disable Alexa’s Drop In feature, simply turn the switch back off.

Helpful Hint: You can follow these same steps to allow other contacts to drop in, too.

How to Set Up Drop In

If you can’t drop into your Echo, the feature may be disabled. Fortunately, you can enable Drop In using the Alexa app. Here’s what to do:

Tap Devices at the bottom of the page.

Step 3: Choose Your Echo

Scroll down the page and tap on the Echo you want to drop into.

Step 4: Tap the Settings Cog

Tap on the settings cog in the upper right corner of the app.

Step 5: Tap Communications

Scroll down to Communications and tap on it.

Step 6: Enable Drop In

Finally, tap the option to Enable Drop In.

Alexa Drop-In Security

If you’re worried about the privacy and security risks of the Drop-In feature, you aren’t alone. Many people worry that someone can drop into their Echo devices and eavesdrop on private conversations.

The first notable privacy feature of the Echo drop-in function is the chime. Others cannot disable this chime, so you’ll know there’s an incoming call. If you don’t want any drop-ins or notifications, you can put your Echo devices in Do Not Disturb to stop all communications.

Finally, only add members you trust. If someone isn’t on your contact list and you haven’t granted them drop-in permissions, they can’t initiate a drop-in call.

Setting up Alexa’s Drop In feature isn’t as easy as it could be, but once you’re past that part, it’s a great feature! You can customize who gets to drop in and enable or disable it as needed, all in the Alexa app on your smartphone.

Whether you’re in the other room or away on vacation, you can use Alexa’s nifty Drop-In feature to check in on family members, pets, or friends. All you need to do is enable the feature in the Alexa app and ensure you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

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