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Echo Connect – requires Echo device, home phone service, and smartphone for set up

Q: Does this work without a mobile phone?

asked on December 18, 2017

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Yes! It is possible to connect an Echo Show with just internet and a flip phone ( as long as you have a friend or family member with a smart phone with the Alexa app.- just for set up purposes only). ). We purchased the Echo Show for my 86 year old mother-in-law so that she could see the grandchildren and great grandch… see more Yes! It is possible to connect an Echo Show with just internet and a flip phone ( as long as you have a friend or family member with a smart phone with the Alexa app.- just for set up purposes only). ). We purchased the Echo Show for my 86 year old mother-in-law so that she could see the grandchildren and great grandchildren as she lives in Florida and we live in Pa. There was an Amazon Rep at Best Buy who assured us this was possible as long as my mother-in-law had (or created) a free Amazon account which we did for her. But after struggling numerous days and reading all of these answers here, we were about to attempt to return it. As a last ditch effort I called Amazon and within a half hour we were video calling. And it works great! Here are the basic instructions: First we set up the Echo Show by plugging it in and connecting it to my mother-in-laws WIFI. (Easy - just follow the prompts). Second - I went on MY cell phone and had to “sign out” of my Amazon Alexa app. (You do this by opening the app, then tap on the 3 horizontal bars in the upper left corner, scroll down to settings, then scroll down and tap sign out. Easy! Third- “Sign In” as my mother-in-law with her Amazon account and password ( on my phone). It will then ask for a phone number. I put in my mother-in-laws cell phone number (which is a pay as you go flip phone). It sent the flip phone a text with a 6 digit code which she read to me. And this was her one and only text she ever received. We didn’t know her phone could receive texts, but apparently all cell phone are capable. It probably cost her a quarter. I entered this verification code and there was her account! Fourth and final step: While still signed in as her, I tapped the 3 horizontal bars in upper left corner of app, scrolled to and tapped contacts, then tap the 3 vertical dots in upper right corner, then tap add contacts. I added myself and siblings and grandchildren - just names and cell numbers. Be sure to hit save after each entry. Then I signed out of her account and entered in to mine. I had to go in to my contacts and add her to mine in the Alexa app. It’s not enough for her to just be in my contacts. She had to be added in my Alexa app contacts. Then to call simply hit the “communicate” button (conversation bubble at bottom), tap call, choose her from all your contacts, and scroll down and tap Alexa Video Call. I did all this from my home! It really is easy. You can also call her home phone or flip phone from here, but that’s not why she has this. Once you are both in each other’s contacts (on the app) she can simply ask it to call me and it defaults to video call. I just have to accept or decline when it rings. The picture quality and sound are much better than I anticipated. She loves it!! My hats off to the Amazon rep I was able to speak to in person. see less Yes! It is possible to connect an Echo Show with just internet and a flip phone ( as long as you have a friend or family member with a smart phone with the Alexa app.- just for set up purposes only). ). We purchased the Echo Show for my 86 year old mother-in-law so that she could see the grandchildren and great grandchildren as she lives in Florida and we live in Pa. There was an Amazon Rep at Best Buy who assured us this was possible as long as my mother-in-law had (or created) a free Amazon account which we did for her. But after struggling numerous days and reading all of these answers here, we were about to attempt to return it. As a last ditch effort I called Amazon and within a half hour we were video calling. And it works great! Here are the basic instructions: First we set up the Echo Show by plugging it in and connecting it to my mother-in-laws WIFI. (Easy - just follow the prompts). Second - I went on MY cell phone and had to “sign out” of my Amazon Alexa app. (You do this by opening the app, then tap on the 3 horizontal bars in the upper left corner, scroll down to settings, then scroll down and tap sign out. Easy! Third- “Sign In” as my mother-in-law with her Amazon account and password ( on my phone). It will then ask for a phone number. I put in my mother-in-laws cell phone number (which is a pay as you go flip phone). It sent the flip phone a text with a 6 digit code which she read to me. And this was her one and only text she ever received. We didn’t know her phone could receive texts, but apparently all cell phone are capable. It probably cost her a quarter. I entered this verification code and there was her account! Fourth and final step: While still signed in as her, I tapped the 3 horizontal bars in upper left corner of app, scrolled to and tapped contacts, then tap the 3 vertical dots in upper right corner, then tap add contacts. I added myself and siblings and grandchildren - just names and cell numbers. Be sure to hit save after each entry. Then I signed out of her account and entered in to mine. I had to go in to my contacts and add her to mine in the Alexa app. It’s not enough for her to just be in my contacts. She had to be added in my Alexa app contacts. Then to call simply hit the “communicate” button (conversation bubble at bottom), tap call, choose her from all your contacts, and scroll down and tap Alexa Video Call. I did all this from my home! It really is easy. You can also call her home phone or flip phone from here, but that’s not why she has this. Once you are both in each other’s contacts (on the app) she can simply ask it to call me and it defaults to video call. I just have to accept or decline when it rings. The picture quality and sound are much better than I anticipated. She loves it!! My hats off to the Amazon rep I was able to speak to in person. Cathy W. · January 11, 2019 236 people found this helpful. Do you? Yes | Report No - found that out today when finally setting up device for Mom. When I initially ordered these devices back in September (pre-order for December) it only mentioned that you needed a cell so Alexa could access the contact list - not that it had to be a "working" cell. Mom is 91. Has Macular Degeneration - HENCE though… see more No - found that out today when finally setting up device for Mom. When I initially ordered these devices back in September (pre-order for December) it only mentioned that you needed a cell so Alexa could access the contact list - not that it had to be a "working" cell. Mom is 91. Has Macular Degeneration - HENCE thought this was a great product - use one of our old cell phones, set up a gmail account, add her contacts. Voilà!! Hmmmm. Not so "voilà" -- actually have to have a functioning smartphone. Solution: Go to Tracfone - check if their "bring your own phone" program is available for your "old" cell. (Luckily, ours was). Purchase a Tracfone SIM card (do it through TF - was only .99 cents - I paid $9.88 at Walmart as I was in a hurry...) Go through the set-up routine. Now truly, it is "Voilà" -- Mom can say, "Alexa, call Joe" - no dialing necessary! see less No - found that out today when finally setting up device for Mom. When I initially ordered these devices back in September (pre-order for December) it only mentioned that you needed a cell so Alexa could access the contact list - not that it had to be a "working" cell. Mom is 91. Has Macular Degeneration - HENCE thought this was a great product - use one of our old cell phones, set up a gmail account, add her contacts. Voilà!! Hmmmm. Not so "voilà" -- actually have to have a functioning smartphone. Solution: Go to Tracfone - check if their "bring your own phone" program is available for your "old" cell. (Luckily, ours was). Purchase a Tracfone SIM card (do it through TF - was only .99 cents - I paid $9.88 at Walmart as I was in a hurry...) Go through the set-up routine. Now truly, it is "Voilà" -- Mom can say, "Alexa, call Joe" - no dialing necessary! Gioia · December 28, 2017 147 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report Simply no. But it should. It’s a land line device. There are thousands of ways to do an address book without using a cell phone. Amazon has Ignored the senior and special needs market on this one. Shame. CookingInRocklin · December 23, 2017 123 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report To be clear, the question should be: "Does this work without mobile phone service?". I've spent hours trying to find the answer because many reviews say that it required mobile phone service to setup, yet a lot of other information, including Amazon's Echo Connect documentation as well as a customer support agent I ta… see more To be clear, the question should be: "Does this work without mobile phone service?". I've spent hours trying to find the answer because many reviews say that it required mobile phone service to setup, yet a lot of other information, including Amazon's Echo Connect documentation as well as a customer support agent I talked to say it does not require mobile phone service to activate or use. I don't have the device yet but assuming the following information provided by Amazon is correct, I will probably order one. As per the online documentation at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202209760 "If you're setting up from a computer, go to https://alexa.amazon.com/, select Settings > Set up a new device and follow the instructions." From what I understand you also can also enter your contacts manually at alexa.amazon.com with a computer instead of having to add a mobile phone (with service) to alexa communication. Finally according to the support agent I talked to today, "January 22, 2019 9:10:03 AM Ayesha (CSA) : I'd like to inform you that you can use the Alexa.amazon.com website for contact and you need not have the smartphone for Echo connect." see less To be clear, the question should be: "Does this work without mobile phone service?". I've spent hours trying to find the answer because many reviews say that it required mobile phone service to setup, yet a lot of other information, including Amazon's Echo Connect documentation as well as a customer support agent I talked to say it does not require mobile phone service to activate or use. I don't have the device yet but assuming the following information provided by Amazon is correct, I will probably order one. As per the online documentation at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202209760 "If you're setting up from a computer, go to https://alexa.amazon.com/, select Settings > Set up a new device and follow the instructions." From what I understand you also can also enter your contacts manually at alexa.amazon.com with a computer instead of having to add a mobile phone (with service) to alexa communication. Finally according to the support agent I talked to today, "January 22, 2019 9:10:03 AM Ayesha (CSA) : I'd like to inform you that you can use the Alexa.amazon.com website for contact and you need not have the smartphone for Echo connect." Mr. Rob · January 22, 2019 108 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report This produced misses its target customer by tying the setup process to a smart phone, when the purpose is to provide assistive technology to those who use a LAND LINE! Most younger people with smart phones don’t even have a land line in their home anymore. Seniors with visual impairments are the ones who could most benefit from this technology. They don’t have smart phones because they can’t use them. And because they don’t have smart phones, they can’t setup or use the Echo Connect, either! What a shame! Robert L. Plouffe · January 7, 2018 81 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report NONE of my four elders have cell phones but are intrigued by it. Why not be able to add a few custom names and addresses for this older generation? This is a technology bridge for them and Amazon missed the mark completely! Do their marketing folks not understand the infinite value of connecting a brand with a warm and pleasant experience??? Companies would pay millions for such an easy connection to their brand (NFL commercials anyone). I in about 6 Echo based devices, and the 6th was for Elder #1... This may swing the bar to look at Google Assistant / Home which ties to the Google Address book (online). GJJB · June 13, 2018 29 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report While you need a smart phone to SET IT UP, you do NOT need a smart phone for continued use once it’s been set up. My 95 year old mother has no mobile phone (smart or otherwise) but I was still able to set her up with an Echo Dot so she can simply say, “computer, call Mary”. I did install DSL internet and WiFi in her … see more While you need a smart phone to SET IT UP, you do NOT need a smart phone for continued use once it’s been set up. My 95 year old mother has no mobile phone (smart or otherwise) but I was still able to set her up with an Echo Dot so she can simply say, “computer, call Mary”. I did install DSL internet and WiFi in her home and added specific contacts from my address book on MY iPhone to the Amazon account I set up for her. So she does need ongoing internet and WiFi, but NO cell phone after the initial set up. It’s great since she can now call out for Alexa to call me if she falls within earshot of the Echo Dot. I changed the wake-up word from “Alexa” to “computer” since she knows what a computer is but not who “Alexa” is. I could install more Echo Dots around her house if need be, so she could call out from other rooms. The only problem occurs when the TV is on loud. see less While you need a smart phone to SET IT UP, you do NOT need a smart phone for continued use once it’s been set up. My 95 year old mother has no mobile phone (smart or otherwise) but I was still able to set her up with an Echo Dot so she can simply say, “computer, call Mary”. I did install DSL internet and WiFi in her home and added specific contacts from my address book on MY iPhone to the Amazon account I set up for her. So she does need ongoing internet and WiFi, but NO cell phone after the initial set up. It’s great since she can now call out for Alexa to call me if she falls within earshot of the Echo Dot. I changed the wake-up word from “Alexa” to “computer” since she knows what a computer is but not who “Alexa” is. I could install more Echo Dots around her house if need be, so she could call out from other rooms. The only problem occurs when the TV is on loud. Jay · August 3, 2019 24 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report No. And I agree with others that it SHOULD be able to be set up by alternate means, since it’s principle function is to link one’s contact database to their landline through the Amazon Echo device. But Amazon just didn’t think their setup procedure and requirements through. The customer who could benefit the most from … see more No. And I agree with others that it SHOULD be able to be set up by alternate means, since it’s principle function is to link one’s contact database to their landline through the Amazon Echo device. But Amazon just didn’t think their setup procedure and requirements through. The customer who could benefit the most from this technology is the elderly mom or dad with low vision or lost vision, and these customers don’t HAVE (because they can’t USE) smartphones. At most, they might have a Jitterbug Flip phone. Even if they had the Jitterbug Smart phone, they can’t get the Alexa app that’s required to set up and use the Echo Connect. And an iPad or other tablet won’t work, because the Alexa app omits the “Conversations” icon from the bottom-center of the screen when loaded onto a tablet device. Therefore, no way to do the setup, even though the tablet is connected to the WiFi network and has the same contacts database that would be available on a smart phone. Amazon should develop a workaround immediately so that those who could most benefit from this technology can begin doing so. They’re not getting any younger! see less No. And I agree with others that it SHOULD be able to be set up by alternate means, since it’s principle function is to link one’s contact database to their landline through the Amazon Echo device. But Amazon just didn’t think their setup procedure and requirements through. The customer who could benefit the most from this technology is the elderly mom or dad with low vision or lost vision, and these customers don’t HAVE (because they can’t USE) smartphones. At most, they might have a Jitterbug Flip phone. Even if they had the Jitterbug Smart phone, they can’t get the Alexa app that’s required to set up and use the Echo Connect. And an iPad or other tablet won’t work, because the Alexa app omits the “Conversations” icon from the bottom-center of the screen when loaded onto a tablet device. Therefore, no way to do the setup, even though the tablet is connected to the WiFi network and has the same contacts database that would be available on a smart phone. Amazon should develop a workaround immediately so that those who could most benefit from this technology can begin doing so. They’re not getting any younger! Robert L. Plouffe · January 7, 2018 22 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report Last December, I set up a Echo Connect and a second generation Echo at my mom's home. She has VOIP phone service. I had everything set up, her contacts loaded through the Alexa web site, (NO SMARTPHONE WAS INVOLVED OR USED FOR THIS SETUP), and everything was working great! Last week, we went back to her home and al… see more Last December, I set up a Echo Connect and a second generation Echo at my mom's home. She has VOIP phone service. I had everything set up, her contacts loaded through the Alexa web site, (NO SMARTPHONE WAS INVOLVED OR USED FOR THIS SETUP), and everything was working great! Last week, we went back to her home and all the contacts I had added, were now gone, and the website no longer allows you to add contacts and she can no longer call out using the Echo and Echo Connect! What happened? Is this no longer supported without a smartphone? PLEASE HELP! My Mother is now 94 and we got this for her as a safety measure to allow her to make calls and call 911 even if she could not reach a phone. see less Last December, I set up a Echo Connect and a second generation Echo at my mom's home. She has VOIP phone service. I had everything set up, her contacts loaded through the Alexa web site, (NO SMARTPHONE WAS INVOLVED OR USED FOR THIS SETUP), and everything was working great! Last week, we went back to her home and all the contacts I had added, were now gone, and the website no longer allows you to add contacts and she can no longer call out using the Echo and Echo Connect! What happened? Is this no longer supported without a smartphone? PLEASE HELP! My Mother is now 94 and we got this for her as a safety measure to allow her to make calls and call 911 even if she could not reach a phone. Ken Christy · August 11, 2020 27 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report After spending hours trying to make this work, I agree with all of the other comments that Amazon dropped the ball on this. The target audience for this product are the elderly and disabled who typically do not have a smart phone. My work around was to tie it to my mobile phone and then ensure that the key contacts that my mom would want to call (really only 6 people) were in my contact list. You need to make sure that they are entered in your contact list exactly as the person would say them. Not great but a work around until Amazon gets this fixed which is hopefully soon. Bob Gardiner · January 23, 2018 18 people found this helpful. Do you? | Report

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