Can I Use Alexa To Listen To Another Room? (Echo Intercom)

You’re familiar with Intercoms, right? 

Well, Alexa has a similar feature to that but with a twist. 

Now, you might be thinking…

“How does it work? 

Can you use Alexa to listen to another room? 

Is it possible to spy on someone through an Echo device?” 

Well, it’s your lucky day because…

You’re about to find out: 

• Whether you can use Alexa to listen to another room. 
• How your Alexa device can be used as a spy camera.
• If Alexa can be used to eavesdrop on other Echo devices. 
• What you can do if you don’t want someone to spy or listen in. 
• And so much more…

Can I use Alexa to listen to another room?

You can use Alexa to listen to another room by using the Drop In command. However, you should be close to your Echo device so Alexa can hear you. In addition, the Drop In command works if you have the Echo device name of who you want to drop in on. Then, simply say “Alexa, drop in on (device name).”

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How to listen in on Alexa?

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To listen in on Alexa, you’ll need the meet the following requirements first: 

• Needs at least 2 Echo devices. 
• Register your device on the app. 
• Download the Alexa app on Google Play Store or App Store. 

From here, sign in to your Amazon account and register your Echo device.

First time using the app? 

Here’s how to add a new device: 

1. Launch the Alexa app. 
2. Tap “Devices.”
3. Select the “+” icon in the top-right corner. 
4. Tap “Add Device.”
5. Choose the device you want to add.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. 

The way listening using Alexa works is through the Drop In feature. 

Put simply, it works similar to an intercom system. 

You can listen to what’s happening in another room and call someone through your Echo device. 

Read also: Alexa Not Discovering Devices: 10 Causes & Fixes

How to listen in with Alexa’s Drop-In feature

Step 1: Make sure your Echo devices are turned on. 

If one Echo device is offline, you won’t be able to drop in.

In addition, make sure both devices are connected to the WiFi. 

Step 2: Get the device name of your Echo devices. 

To complete the Drop In command, you’ll need the Echo device name. 

Fortunately, you can easily find it on the Alexa app: 

1. On your Alexa app, tap “Devices.”
2. Select “Echo & Alexa.”
3. You’ll see a list of names registered to each Echo device. 

Step 3: Use the command “Alexa, drop in on (device name).”

Now, say for instance the names of your Echo devices are “Kitchen” and “Bedroom.”

Then, if you’re using the “Bedroom” Echo device, you’d say: 

“Alexa, drop in on Kitchen.”

From here, you’ll be able to…

• Listen in on what’s going on. 
• Talk to whoever is in the room. 

Let’s use an actual scenario this time: 

Say you’re in the bedroom with your Echo Dot (4th gen). 

Then, your wife’s in the kitchen with her Echo device. 

So, you would say: “Alexa, drop in on Kitchen.”

You should see your Echo device’s light ring turn green to indicate a successful Drop In. 

From here, you can listen to what your wife’s doing in the kitchen. 

In addition, you can also ask something like, “Hi honey, what time is dinner?” 

Your wife then responds: “Hi sweetheart, it’s at 6:30.”

Now, you’re probably wondering…

“Can you listen in on Alexa by using your phone?”

It’s definitely possible, which is what the next section’s about. 

Can I listen in on Alexa from my phone?

Apart from using an Echo device, you can also listen in on Alexa through your phone. 

All you need for this to work is the Alexa app.

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Launch the Alexa app. 
2. Tap “Communicate” in the bottom row. 
3. Select “Drop In.”
4. Choose the Echo device you want to drop in. 

From here, Alexa will connect you to the selected Echo device and you can listen in.  

Can I use Alexa to listen to my house remotely?

If you’re away from the house and want to check if everything’s fine, you can drop in too. 

The only 2 things you need to do this are…

1. The Alexa app.
2. A strong, stable WiFi connection (mobile data works too).

However, this won’t work if your Echo device’s Drop In feature is disabled. 

To make sure that it is, follow these steps: 

1. Open your Alexa app. 
2. Tap on “More” (3-horizontal line icon in the bottom right).
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Tap “Device Settings.”
5. Choose the Echo device you want to enable the Drop In on. 
6. Under the General section, tap “Communications.”
7. Select “Drop In.”
8. Set the feature to “On.”

Then, after you leave the house, you can drop in on your Echo device. 

But first, turn on your mobile data or connect to a WiFi network. 

From there, here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch your Alexa app. 
2. In the bottom row, tap “Communicate.”
3. Select “Drop In.” 
4. Choose the Echo device you want to drop in on. 

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People also ask:

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Can I use Alexa to eavesdrop?

You can use Alexa to eavesdrop with the Drop In feature.

Let’s use a scenario for this. 

Say you wanted to eavesdrop on your sibling’s Echo device, who’s currently in the bedroom. 

You know the device name for their Echo Dot is “Kyle.” 

From here, you’d simply say to your Echo device: “Alexa, drop in on Kyle.”

If your sibling’s listening to music, they won’t hear the chime that indicates a Drop In. 

Wanna know something even creepier? 

If you mute your Echo device, your sibling can’t hear you at all while you’re eavesdropping on them. 

Scary, right? 

In fact, there’s a video that shows just how easy it is to do on Alexa devices: 

Take note, though. 

Amazon didn’t add the Drop In feature so people could eavesdrop on others. 

Its main intention is to connect with loved ones and friends easily. 

You might also like: Can Alexa Be Hacked? 10 Shocking Security Facts

How do I get Alexa to hear me from another room?

The only way Alexa can hear you from another room is if you’ve already dropped in on an Echo device. 

And that’s because the way Drop In works is…

• You have to give the command to Alexa via your Echo device or phone. 
• The other Echo device has to have the Drop In feature enabled or isn’t offline. 

A Drop In is instant communication between 2 devices. 

On apps like WhatsApp or Messenger, you have to accept the call first. 

And if the person doesn’t accept your call, well… you can’t listen in. 

Alternatively, Alexa can still listen to you from another room by using your phone. 

It’s the same concept as mentioned earlier when asking Alexa to listen in remotely. 

If you’re out of the house and want to drop in on an Echo device, you can do so with the Alexa app. 

Can you use Alexa as a spy camera?

You can use Alexa as a spy camera, but only if the Echo device has a built-in camera. 

Another requirement is to have the Drop In feature enabled. 

However, even if an Echo Dot has this setting turned on, it can’t be used as a spy camera. 

Why? 

Mainly because Echo Dots don’t have any built-in cameras. 

On the other hand, any Echo Show device can work as a spy camera. 

Now, as creepy as this sounds, think of it like this. 

You can also use it as a security camera. 

This is useful if you’re away from home and an intruder breaks into your house. 

That way, you can Drop In on your Echo Show to see what’s happening in real-time. 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Launch your Alexa app. 
2. Select “Communicate.” 
3. Tap “Drop In.” 
4. Choose your Echo Show device. 
5. You’ll see a live video of what’s happening. 

Worried that uninvited guests might spy on you? 

In that case, disable your Alexa’s Drop In feature or set it only to household devices. 

How to prevent someone from spying or listening in on you

1. Open the Alexa app. 
2. Select “More” (3-horizontal line icon in the bottom right).
3. Tap “Settings.”
4. Click on “Device Settings.”
5. Choose the Echo device you want to disable the Drop In on. 
6. Under the General section, tap “Communications.”
7. Select “Drop In.”
8. Choose “My Household” for household devices only. 
9. Tap “Off” if you want to disable Drop In.