Amazon’s Drop In feature has become a useful tool for contacting people in your household, finding out what your kids are up to (especially when they’re being too quiet), and checking in on elderly relatives. It allows you to literally “drop in” using an Alexa-capable device, either just via audio or with audio and video. But since you don’t want anyone dropping in on you unwanted, it’s a good idea to understand how to set it up and how to use it.

In order to allow somebody to drop in on an Echo or Fire device (or any Alexa-capable device that allows you to make calls), first you have to enable the Drop In feature on that specific unit.

If you want somebody outside your household to have the ability to drop in to your device, then you have to mark that contact as a permitted contact.

Now that you’re all set up, it’s easy. Just use the command “Alexa, drop in…” with the name of the device you want to call.

To see what’s going on in another room that has an Echo Show named “Kid’s Den,” for example, just say something like “Alexa, drop in on Kid’s Den.” The device in that room will chime and its light, if any, will turn green. You’ll then be able to see and hear what’s going on in the other room through your own device — and if they’ve got a device with a camera, they’ll be able to see and hear what’s going on in yours. (Of course, if either party is using an audio-only device, that will limit the communication to, well, audio.)

To stop the connection, say, “Alexa, hang up.”

Update March 8th, 2024, 3:06PM ET: This article has been updated to clarify that Drop In is only available on Echos, Fires, or other Alexa-equipped devices that are capable of making calls.