Got an Echo Show 15 or other Echo Show device sitting on your counter? Whether it’s the newest model or an older one, there are a ton of ways to make the most of that smart screen. From video calls to cooking help, here are some of the best ways to use your Echo Show every day.
1. Make Hands-Free Video Calls
Forget digging around for your phone—just say, “Alexa, call Mom,” and you’re instantly connected. The Echo Show’s built-in camera makes video chatting with family and friends effortless. If they have an Echo Show too, you can even use Drop In for quick, no-rings-needed check-ins.
Need to block someone? No problem! Here’s how:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap the three lines in the bottom left corner.
- Select Communicate and then tap the people icon in the top right.
- Find the contact you want to block, scroll down, and tap Block Contact.
Now you can enjoy hands-free calls with the people you actually want to hear from!
2. Display Photos from Your Phone on Your Echo Show
Want to see your photos on the Echo Show? It’s easy to upload them via the Alexa app or set up a rotating photo display!
To upload photos:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Go to More > Settings > Photos.
- Tap Devices and choose the Echo Show you want to use.
- Tap Upload Photos and select images you’d like to upload.
To create a photo display:
- Say “Go to settings” or swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Settings.
- Select Clock & Photo Display.
- Choose a photo or album you’d like to show.
- You can also use the Photo Frame feature for a rotating selection of photos—up to three hours of display time!
You can access all your photos and videos through the Amazon Photos app on mobile or desktop. Plus, Prime members get unlimited photo storage and 5 GB for videos, making it even easier to store and display your memories.
Get Recipe Ideas Hands-Free
Not sure what to make for dinner? Just say, “Alexa, show me a recipe for chicken stir-fry,” and your Echo Show will bring up video tutorials, ingredient lists, and step-by-step instructions. No need to touch the screen with messy hands—everything is voice-controlled for a smooth cooking experience.
Want Alexa to suggest recipes that match your diet? Say, “Alexa, open food preferences,” and you can set dietary preferences like keto, vegetarian, or Kosher. That way, your recipe recommendations are always tailored to what you eat!
4. Watch Movies, TV, and YouTube Videos
Your Echo Show can stream content from Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Tubi, and even YouTube. Just say, “Alexa, play Stranger Things on Netflix,” and enjoy hands-free entertainment while you cook or relax.
5. Control Your Smart Home
Adjust your lights, thermostat, security cameras, and more right from the screen. You can say, “Alexa, show me the front door camera,” or “Alexa, turn off the living room lights”—no app needed.
6. Enjoy Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks
Your Echo Show isn’t just a smart display—it’s also a great speaker. With built-in support for Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, Audible, and others, you can ask Alexa to play your favorite playlist, stream a podcast, or read an audiobook while you go about your day.
Love true stories with a twist? If Amazon Music is your default provider, try one of my favorites—just say, “Alexa, play the MrBallen podcast.” (That’s pronounced “Mister Ballen”—and you can find it on other podcast platforms and YouTube, too!)
7. Set Up Daily Routines and Reminders
Need a little help staying on track? Set up Alexa Routines to automate tasks—like turning on the lights and giving you a weather update when you wake up. You can also use your Echo Show for reminders like, “Alexa, remind me to take my vitamins every day at 8 AM.”
Get Dinner Ideas Sent to Your Echo Show
Stuck on what to make for dinner? Let Alexa send you daily recipe ideas!
- Open the Alexa app and tap Routines.
- Select the Health & Wellness category.
- Find the card that offers daily recipe suggestions and tap it.
- Choose which time you’d like to receive them and which device they should show up on.
Now, instead of scrambling for meal ideas, you’ll get fresh inspiration sent straight to your Echo Show.
8. Get a Quick Weather Update Before You Head Out
Wondering what to wear or if you’ll need an umbrella? Just ask, “Alexa, what’s the weather today?” Your Echo Show will display the hourly forecast, radar maps, and any weather alerts so you’re always prepared.
Need a longer outlook? Say, “Alexa, give me the 7-day forecast,” and get a full week’s weather report at a glance.
9. Have Fun with Games and Trivia
Your Echo Show isn’t just for productivity—it’s also a great way to have some fun. Whether you enjoy trivia, word games, or interactive adventures, Alexa has plenty of options to keep you entertained.
Here are some of the most popular Alexa games and skills to try:
- Song Quiz – Test your music knowledge by guessing song titles and artists from short clips. Play solo or challenge friends.
- Jeopardy! – Play the official Jeopardy! game and test your trivia skills with new clues every day.
- Escape the Room – Solve puzzles and uncover clues to escape different virtual rooms.
- Trivia Night – Challenge yourself with general knowledge questions across a variety of topics.
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – Take on the famous quiz show and see if you can reach the million-dollar question.
- Akinator – Think of a character, and Akinator will try to guess who it is based on a series of yes/no questions.
- Would You Rather? – A fun party game where you choose between two tricky or hilarious scenarios.
- The Magic Door – An interactive adventure game where you explore mysterious lands, solve riddles, and complete quests.
- 20 Questions – Alexa will try to guess what you’re thinking by asking a series of yes/no questions.
To start playing, just say, “Alexa, open [game name]” or “Alexa, let’s play a game!”.
10. Wake Up Smarter with a Custom Alarm
Turn your Echo Show into the ultimate smart alarm clock by placing it on your nightstand. Wake up your way —whether it’s to your favorite song, a news briefing, or a soothing sunrise effect that gently brightens your screen before your alarm goes off.
Want to try the sunrise effect? Just set an alarm between 4 AM and 9 AM, then head to your Echo Show’s settings to enable it. When activated, your screen will gradually brighten 15 minutes before your alarm, helping you wake up more naturally.
Final Thoughts
Your Echo Show 15 is way more than just a fancy Alexa speaker. Whether you’re video chatting, watching movies, or running your smart home, there’s so much it can do to make life easier and more fun. Give these features a try, and you’ll see why an Echo Show is one of the best smart devices you can have!
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