WhatsApp is the biggest instant messaging app, with an estimated 2 billion active users every month. That’s an incredible number, which could be thought of as about every one in four people on the planet using this application at least once each month.
WhatsApp is just one side of the convenient technology spectrum. You also have smart speakers running virtual smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and the of devices. In fact, the Amazon Echo smart speakers are the leading brand in the world, with Amazon claiming more than a quarter of the market in the third quarter of 2021.
Of course, as Alexa can serve as a way to interact with multiple devices in your smart home, there are certain ways that Alexa can be made to interact with one of the very first smart devices we’ve come to know: the smartphone. However, with WhatsApp and Amazon Alexa both being extremely popular, it begs the question for many: can Alexa use WhatsApp, and if she can, how do you get it working?
This article will talk about whether Alexa can use WhatsApp in the first place and help answer other questions, like whether you can use your Echo for video calls, to read or send messages, and more. Well then, let’s jump right into it!
Do you have a particular question about using WhatsApp with Alexa? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Can Alexa use WhatsApp?
Now, if you’ve been asking yourself, can Alexa use WhatsApp, there’s an answer, and it might not be what you’re looking for.
There’s no official skill for WhatsApp available for Alexa, which means that technically, Alexa is not made to use WhatsApp in any way. Of course, this seems like a major oversight, and it is hard to understand why things are like this.
There is a bit of a bright side here, though. You can install third-party skills on your Alexa to allow an Echo device or any other device that uses the Amazon Alexa smart assistant to perform some basic functions through WhatsApp.
So, let’s break down the things that you can and cannot get Alexa to do.
Can I send a WhatsApp message from Alexa?
One of the most useful features that Alexa could have in its integration with WhatsApp would be to make it possible for messages to be sent using your voice alone. But is this something that can be done?
The answer seems to be no. There’s no service or third-party skill that I have tested that allows you to send a WhatsApp message using Alexa.
However, one skill and app claims to be able to do this, and it is called Phone Link for Alexa. The reviews are not the most promising as it seems there’s a limit to how many commands you can use per month before needing to upgrade.
However, if you want to try the app out, you can find it from the Google Play Store link and the Alexa Skill .
Can Alexa use WhatsApp for video calls?
The Echo Show has a big screen. Depending on the model you get, that screen can be as large as 15 inches. That sounds pretty useful for making video calls if you ask me. So, it begs the question, can you use WhatsApp on Echo Show for video calling?
Unfortunately, once again, the answer to that is no.
Since WhatsApp is still not officially supported as an Alexa skill, there’s no way for you to use the Echo Show to make an Alexa WhatsApp video call.
Suppose you really want to make video calls using your Echo Show. In that case, you will have to turn to other video conferencing apps because WhatsApp is not an option. You can use Skype, for instance, and if you have an Echo Show 8 or 10, you can use Zoom. Discord is the only other option that you might have luck with.
If you’re looking to use Microsoft Teams or Facebook Messenger, just like with WhatsApp on Echo Show, you’re out of luck.
Can Alexa play WhatsApp messages?
Here’s where we can finally get to something that you can manage to get Alexa to do with WhatsApp, and that’s to read out messages.
As I’ve said several times, there’s no official support for WhatsApp as an Alexa skill. Still, using a third-party skill called pingloud, this becomes possible. It’s intended for use when driving, but nothing stops you from using it at home.
You can download the on your Alexa device. But remember that the necessary companion app is only available for Android devices, so if you use an iPhone, you won’t have luck with this.
To use this app to read out WhatsApp messages, follow these steps:
- Download and install the ping app from the Google Play Store.
- Launch the application and go to the Settings section.
- Select Alexa and link it with your Amazon account.
- Now, go and install the pingloud skill.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone and enable the skill. Ensure that both were downloaded with the same Amazon account.
- Now, you can use Alexa to get your WhatsApp messages (and messages from any other app) read aloud!
How to install WhatsApp on Alexa device?
So, there’s no way to install WhatsApp on any Alexa device, whether it is an Echo or anything else. Thankfully, if all you want is for Alexa to help read out messages, you can get that done using ping.
We can only hope that at some point in the future, WhatsApp will become an officially supported skill for Alexa.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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