To stop Alexa Drop In on one Echo, open the Alexa app and go to Devices > Echo & Alexa > [device] > Settings > Communication, then turn off Drop In. To silence Alexa calls and messages, turn on Do Not Disturb for that device. Announcements have a separate control; switch them off too if you do not want household broadcasts.
Choose the control that matches what you want to stop
| Control | What it stops | Scope and use |
|---|---|---|
| Drop In toggle | Incoming Drop In connections | Turns off Drop In for the selected device. |
| Contact permissions | Drop In from household members or specific contacts | Changes who has permission, rather than simply quieting a device. |
| Do Not Disturb | Alexa calls and messages; Amazon also says it turns off Announcements | A quiet mode you can turn off when you are ready to receive them again. |
| Announcements toggle | One-way household broadcasts | Turns off Announcements on the selected device. |
| Communications master switch | All communication options | Broadest device-level option; use a narrower control if you only want to stop one feature. |
Drop In is an intercom-style connection that can start automatically when received. Announcements are one-way broadcasts to supported Alexa devices, so disabling one does not automatically mean the other is disabled. Amazon explains Drop In permissions and controls, while its Announcement guidance covers broadcasts.
Turn off Drop In on an Echo device
- Open the Alexa app.
- Tap Devices, then select the device-type filter and choose Echo & Alexa.
- Select the Echo you want to change and open Settings.
- Tap Communication or Communications, depending on the app version.
- Switch off Drop In.
Amazon documents this device-level route in its instructions for turning off communications on specific Alexa devices. If menu names or placement differ in your app, look for Communication or Communications in that Echo’s settings. Turning off the master Communication switch disables all communication options on that device, not just Drop In.
Change who can use Drop In
If you want to block only certain people, manage permissions instead of disabling Drop In for every contact on an Echo. Amazon says household Drop In can be disabled by voice or from your contact card in the Alexa app. To remove another contact’s permission, use that contact’s card. These permission changes differ from Do Not Disturb: they control who may Drop In, while Do Not Disturb is a quiet mode. See Amazon’s Drop In FAQ for its permission controls.
#1 Best Overall
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Silence calls, messages, or Announcements
Turn on Do Not Disturb
To quiet Alexa calls and messages on an Echo, open that device’s settings in the Alexa app and turn on Do Not Disturb. You can also say, “Alexa, turn on Do Not Disturb.” Amazon says this mode also turns off Announcements for the device. Turn Do Not Disturb off when you want calls and messages to come through again. Amazon’s help for Announcements and Do Not Disturb describes the effect on broadcasts.
Turn off Announcements separately
If you want to stop one-way household broadcasts without relying on Do Not Disturb, open the Echo’s Settings > Communication section and switch off Announcements. This is separate from the Drop In toggle.
Rank #2
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
What these settings do not establish
Amazon’s help pages describe the controls for Drop In, calls and messages, and Announcements; they do not establish that those controls suppress every type of Alexa alert, reminder, or notification across every device and app version. If a different alert continues, identify its category and check the relevant setting rather than assuming the Communications controls cover it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If an Echo shows an unexpected green light
Amazon says a flashing green light indicates an incoming call, while a spinning green light can indicate an active call or Drop In. If the indicator is unexpected, hang up, check voice history for a misheard request, or turn off Drop In or Communications for that device. Amazon’s Drop In help provides further details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Meet Echo Studio: Redesigned in a compact size that is 40% smaller than the original to deliver immersive spatial sound. Dolby Atmos adds space, clarity, and depth to make your entertainment even better. Enjoy powerful bass and crystal-clear vocals. Features a built-in smart home hub and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- It's like a concert in your living room: Experience immersive sound thanks to spatial audio and Dolby Atmos in a compact design that fits easily into any living space. With room adaptation technology, Echo Studio analyzes the acoustics of your room, fine-tuning playback for optimal sound no matter where it's placed.
- Create your ultimate entertainment center: Play music across multiple Echo devices for multi-room music, or pair with a second Echo Studio for even more powerful sound. Pair your Echo Studio with compatible Fire TV devices to create an Alexa home theater that makes that explosion or sound track come to life in Dolby Atmos.
- Simple smart home control: Set routines, pair and control lights, locks, and thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature or presence detection.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering: With eero Built-in, Echo Studio doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Rank #4
- Meet Echo Dot Max: Experience rich room-filling sound that automatically adapts to your space and fine-tunes playback. Features a built-in smart home hub and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Music to your ears: With nearly 3x the bass versus Echo Dot (2022 release), it fits beautifully in any space, delivering your personal sound stage with deep bass and enhanced clarity. Listen to streaming services, such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. Encore!
- Do more with device pairing: Connect compatible Echo smart speakers and smart displays in different rooms, or pair with a second Echo Dot Max to enjoy even richer sound. Pair your Echo Dot Max with compatible Fire TV devices to create a home theater system that brings scenes to life.
- Simple smart home control: Set routines, pair and control lights, locks, and thousands of smart home devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature or presence detection.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot Max doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Rank #3
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
