Can Alexa Make Phone Calls Without a Smartphone?

Alexa is a persistent virtual assistant that is able to help you a lot. From answering simple questions to playing music, setting alarms, and even home security, Alexa has got you covered. 

With all it can do, you might be asking if Alexa can make a phone call without a smartphone. Can Alexa call a smartphone, a landline, or even another Amazon device?

So, the answer is Yes. Alexa can make calls without a smartphone. You just need to set up an Amazon Echo in order to do that. You can do it without Amazon Echo, but in that case, you will need a smartphone, unfortunately. Let me show you how: 

How to Make Phone Calls Through Alexa Without a Smartphone

Making calls is simple, and anyone can do it. To make calls without a phone, you need to follow a few simple steps. 

To make calls on Alexa, there are four different ways you can use it right now. The first two do not really need your phone, but the other two do. (Phone will be needed to set up some functions.)

Setting up Calls From Alexa’s Official Website

For this method, you need a PC or laptop, as this process will be done through a web browser. Here’s how you can do it. 

1. Open your browser and enter “alexa.amazon.com” in the search box.
2. Create an Amazon account or sign in with your existing account.
3. On the left-hand side of the page, click on “Contacts.”
4. Follow the on-screen directions to add phone contacts.
5. Once the process is complete, Alexa will have access to those phone contacts.
6. You can now use voice commands to ask Alexa to call any of your contacts.

Calling From An Echo Show Device

To set up your Echo Show device for calling contacts without using a smartphone, follow these steps:

1. Connect your Echo Show device to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Use the Silk browser on your Echo Show and go to alexa.amazon.com.
3. Sign up for an Amazon account or log in with your existing account
4. Click on “Contacts” and add your chosen contacts
5. Allow some time for Alexa to sync the phone contacts you’ve added
6. Once done, use voice commands to tell Alexa who you want to call

Both methods above are almost similar and provide an easy way to make calls without counting on a mobile phone. Just make sure to have stable internet for calls.

How to Setup Alexa For Calls With A Phone

Before you call someone from Alexa, you need to get it set up correctly. There’s a complete setup for both methods of making calls. Make sure to check it out. 

Alexa to Alexa Calls

Making calls between Alexa devices is fairly simple, in case you did not know. You must carry out certain actions in order to make a call. These are a few

1. Open the Alexa app on the phone
2. Access your contact list
3. Now, you’ll see an Echo icon for those who have an Echo device
4. Once you have checked who has an Alexa device, you can call them
5. To make a call, say, “Alexa, call (His Name)” 
6. Alexa will then make a phone call

Drop-in feature

The Drop-in feature can help you make calls without using your phone. It’s a great feature to use because you can drop in and start your conversation. It’s a useful app if you want to talk to or listen to someone in another room. 

I personally use it when I need something from another room while I’m at my studio. So, if you want to know how to enable it, let me tell you.

1. Open the Alexa app on your smartphone
2. Go to communicate
3. Tap on Profile 
4. Turn On the Drop-in feature

And there you have it. Now you can just pop in your Amazon Echo device anytime you want to. 

Askmybuddy or Alexa Guard Plus

Alexa Guard Plus, or AskMyBuddy, is a premium subscription from which you’ll be able to make calls to 911 or anyone else for help. 

Simply, install Alexa Guard Plus in your house with a smartphone, and you’ll be able to expand Alexa’s guarding capabilities. If anything happens at home, you can simply tell Alexa. After that, Alexa will dispatch an emergency request for you or make a voice call to an emergency helpline. The same can be done with Ask My Buddy.    

Alexa’s Call Limitations 

Next, let’s talk about where Alexa can’t help. These are a few numbers Alexa cannot call. Therefore, it is best to keep them in mind before commanding Alexa to call them.

Here are the limitations where Alexa can’t place a call:

1. International Numbers

Yes, Alexa can’t place a call for any international content. You can just call anyone in the US, Canada, and Mexico for free. Out of these regions, Alexa can’t help you. 

Perhaps this restriction will get lifted and we will be able to call anyone in the world, but who knows? I’m crossing my fingers for that. 

2. Emergency Response Service

This might sound a little strange, but it’s true. You can’t tell Alexa to call for help unless you buy an Alexa Guard Plus. Alexa Guard Plus, or Ask My Buddy, is a premium membership that will help you do that. 

If you don’t want to buy it, you can set up your Alexa emergency contacts, which can be set up through the Alexa app. Once you make an emergency contact, you can set a command for calling emergency contacts.

If you want to set an emergency contact, make sure to set the right contact in that place. Someone who picks up the call right away when someone rings. Also, make sure that contact is somewhere near you, like with a friend or a neighbor.

3. Premium Phone Numbers or 900 Numbers

These are the phone numbers that are legally owned by an authority or a service. These are the numbers that only have three numbers in them, which start from 1 to 900. You may have heard of the 900 number, that’s what it is.

So, Alexa can’t call such a number. These numbers include 911, which is why you can’t call it. Similarly, all the numbers like that are inaccessible to Alexa. 

4. Without Internet Access

Last but not least, its internet availability can make Alexa unable to place any calls. Make sure to have stable Wi-Fi before placing a call.  

Alexa connects to the Echo device through the internet; therefore, you have no internet at your place, and you can’t make any calls. Next time, check your internet to make a call. 

Final Thoughts 

Alexa is a great companion, and if you want to make it even better, you have to take some minor steps. For example, if you want to make calls and send messages, you need to set up Alexa and your Echo device.

Only then can you enjoy its calling and messaging features, but along with that, I’ll also suggest you not fully rely on it. Have your phones with you because Alexa also has many limitations. What do you think about Alexa’s calling features? Let me know.

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