The built-in camera in Echo Show is primarily meant for video calls but Amazon won’t take any offense should you wish to use it as a security camera. It is super useful in cases when there’s a kid or pet alone at home and you’re away but want to quickly check in on things. Find out how you can use Echo Show as a security camera by setting up your own surveillance system.
How to use Echo Show as security camera for monitoring your home
To use Echo Show as a security camera, you’ll need to enable the Home monitoring setting for your device (Echo Show). This will configure it to let you access the live feed via the Alexa app on your iPhone or through the camera on any other Echo Show.
Swipe down from the top of the display of your Echo Show and choose Settings.
When the Settings screen loads, scroll down to the Camera option. Tap it to display more options.
Look for the Home monitoring option. When found, slide the toggle next to it to the On position.
If prompted for Amazon account password, enter it.
Now, switch to the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android phone. Make sure, your Echo Show and Alexa app are connected to the same Amazon account. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the app screen.
Choose the Cameras tile under the Devices screen.
Select your Echo Show to access the live camera view.
The Speaker and the Mic options are disabled by default. You can enable them with a single tap to find out what’s going on near your Echo Show.
It is important to mention here that when your device is working as a home security camera, it will display a message that the camera is live and a household member is viewing the camera.
Echo show security camera shortcomings
More importantly, If you have the more recent version of the smart speaker like Echo Show 10, which has a rotating screen, you can just swipe right or left on the Alexa app screen to force the camera to rotate. However, it won’t be able to alert you when it detects motion in the camera’s field of view. This option is available in more advanced versions of security cameras. Also, your Echo Show won’t record video. Apart from these shortcomings, it works just fine.
Hope it helps!
Also see: How to use Echo Show as a photo frame.
