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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →To check Alexa calls and Drop Ins, open the Alexa app and go to More > Communicate > Recents. Amazon says this list can show up to the last 90 days of Call and Drop In history, but it is not complete: some calls and group activity are omitted. On an Echo, a flashing green light means a call is coming in; a spinning green light means a call or Drop In is active.
Check recent Alexa calls and Drop Ins
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Open the Alexa app.
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Select More > Communicate > Recents. Depending on the app layout, Recents may appear as a history or recents icon.
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Review the listed Calls and Drop Ins. Select an entry to call or Drop In on that device or contact again.
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To remove one entry, swipe left on it and select Remove. To clear all listed entries, select More on the Recents page, then Remove all Calling and Drop In history.
#1 Best Overall
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display, Designed for Alexa+, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Charcoal- Alexa can show you more - Echo Show 5 includes a 5.5” display so you can see news and weather at a glance, make video calls, view compatible cameras, stream music and shows, and more.
- Small size, bigger sound – Stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime Video—now with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Includes a 5.5" display so you can view shows, song titles, and more at a glance.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart devices like lights and thermostats, even while you're away.
- See more with the built-in camera – Check in on your family, pets, and more using the built-in camera. Drop in on your home when you're out or view the front door from your Echo Show 5 with compatible video doorbells.
- See your photos on display – When not in use, set the background to a rotating slideshow of your favorite photos. Invite family and friends to share photos to your Echo Show. Prime members also get unlimited cloud photo storage.
Amazon says the app provides up to the last 90 days of history; the support page does not state a publication year. Removing an entry changes the displayed history. It does not recover events that were never included in Recents.
Read the Echo’s green light
| Indicator | What it means |
|---|---|
| Flashing green | An incoming call. |
| Spinning green | An active call or Drop In. |
The light signals the communication state, not who initiated it. Check the Alexa app or a device screen for caller details when available. Amazon notes that an incoming Drop In also produces an audio tone and visual indicator; on a screenless Echo, a green in-call light remains visible while it is active.
Rank #2
- MEET ECHO SHOW 15 - A stunning 15.6" Full-HD (1080p) smart display that's perfect for your kitchen and ready to show you more. Use customizable widgets to keep your day on track, watch your favorite shows with Fire TV and powerful vibrant sound, and enjoy natural video calling, with 3.3x zoom and wide field of view.
- FAMILY ORGANIZATION HUB - See your top widgets at a glance, like your family’s calendars and to-do lists, local weather, smart home, and more.
- ALL YOUR FAVORITES, ALL RIGHT HERE - Built-in Fire TV unlocks endless entertainment, so you can enjoy your favorite content from thousands of apps like Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, and more (subscription may be required). Fire TV remote included. Plus, now you can quickly add a device to play music with Active Media - start playing a song in the kitchen, then add the living room and bedroom on the fly.
- SMART HOME CENTRAL - Control smart devices with your voice or a few taps using the smart home dashboard. Easily turn on all your living room lights at once or check live camera feeds to see what's happening around your home.
- YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES ON DISPLAY - Brighten your space (and your day) by turning your home screen into a photo slideshow that displays your favorite memories. Auto curate your images and show off your favorite family memories.
Know whether it is a call or Drop In
Alexa calls
A regular Alexa call notifies you so you can answer. Supported Echo devices announce the caller; a device with a display shows an incoming-call screen. The Alexa app can also send a phone or tablet notification and show a screen where you can answer.
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Drop In
Drop In is an optional feature that connects automatically to a supported Alexa-enabled device for a two-way conversation; compatible devices may also support video. Contact Drop In requires permission from both parties. Household Drop In can connect supported devices within the Amazon household. Because it connects without the usual answer step, check the device and contact permissions if you do not want Drop In enabled.
Rank #3
- New size, more viewing area: The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen with 60% more viewing area versus Echo Show 8 (2025 release), built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance, and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Content looks and sounds incredible: Watch shows on Prime Video, Netflix, and more on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy room-filling spatial audio, crisper vocals, wider sound stage, and up to 2x bass versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release). With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Your everyday assistant: The 11" display makes it easy to see recipes and calendars at a glance, find meal inspo, and manage your shopping lists. With Alexa+, find recipes based on foods you love, make reservations, order groceries, and more.
- Simple Smart Home control: Pair and control thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. Easily view your camera feeds. Manage lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature, presence, or visual ID detection.
- Crystal-clear video calls: Video calls feel natural on the vibrant 11" screen with a centered, auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. Use live view to check in on your family, pets, and more while you're away.
Understand what Recents does not show
Do not treat Recents as a complete audit trail. Amazon says some calls—including some made through Alexa Skills, certain third-party devices, or a linked mobile-phone account—may not appear. Group calls and group Drop Ins are also absent from this history. A blank or incomplete list therefore does not prove that no communication occurred.
Stop an unexpected call or limit future access
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If a communication is active, say “Hang Up.”
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If Alexa appears to have started a call unexpectedly, check voice history for a misheard request.
Rank #4
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display, Designed for Alexa+, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Glacier White- Alexa can show you more - Echo Show 5 includes a 5.5” display so you can see news and weather at a glance, make video calls, view compatible cameras, stream music and shows, and more.
- Small size, bigger sound – Stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime Video—now with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Includes a 5.5" display so you can view shows, song titles, and more at a glance.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart devices like lights and thermostats, even while you're away.
- See more with the built-in camera – Check in on your family, pets, and more using the built-in camera. Drop in on your home when you're out or view the front door from your Echo Show 5 with compatible video doorbells.
- See your photos on display – When not in use, set the background to a rotating slideshow of your favorite photos. Invite family and friends to share photos to your Echo Show. Prime members also get unlimited cloud photo storage.
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To disable Drop In for one Echo, open Devices > Echo & Alexa > [device] > Settings > Communications in the Alexa app.
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To adjust Drop In permissions, go to More > Settings > Communication > Drop In Preference, or review the relevant contact card.
Best Value
Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest model), Vibrant HD 8.7" display with spatial audio, Designed for Alexa+, Graphite- Powerfully smart, beautifully built: The redesigned 8.7" smart display features a vibrant HD touchscreen with 15% more viewing area versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release), built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance, and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Content sounds incredible: Stream music or watch shows on Prime Video, Netflix, and more. All with room-filling spatial audio, crisper vocals, wider sound stage, and up to 2x bass versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release). With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Your everyday assistant: See recipes and calendars at a glance, easily find meal inspo and manage your shopping lists. With Alexa+, find recipes based on foods you love, make reservations, order groceries, and more.
- Simple Smart Home control: Pair and control thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. Easily view your camera feeds. Manage lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature, presence, or visual ID detection.
- Crystal-clear video calls: Video calls feel natural with a centered, auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. Use live view to check in on your family, pets, and more while you're away.
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Do Not Disturb can silence incoming Alexa calls and messages on a device. It is broader than changing one contact’s Drop In permission.
App labels and available controls can vary by region, device model, or software version. Amazon’s help pages do not specify an app version.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Amazon support references
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Alexa Communication light indicators and troubleshooting
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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.
