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Skype in Ubuntu - this is how it works

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Skype in Ubuntu - this is how it works

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Install Skype using the software manager
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
5th step:
Install Skype via the terminal with Snap

1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
5th step:
Quick guide: Install Skype using the software manager
Brief instructions: Install Skype via the terminal with Snap

Would you like to use Skype in Linux Ubuntu too? Then read our post to find out how it works..

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Skype is one of the most popular video calling services worldwide. The installation on Ubuntu is quite simple and very similar to the Windows installation. Nevertheless, we are going to show you two methods for installing Skype here. First a method to install Skype from the installation file and then from the terminal. The second also works for older Ubuntu versions.

Note: Skype is only available for 64-bit systems . If you use a 32-bit system , you have the alternative with Skype for Web on skype.com .

Install Skype using the software manager

Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the quick start guide ..

1st step:

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Open the pre-installed Firefox browser and go to the download page on the Skype official website . The browser automatically recognizes the package format used by your Linux distribution. In the case of Linux Ubuntu, which is based on Debian, this is " .deb ". Click the big blue " Download Skype for Linux - DEB " button . If " DEB " is not recognized automatically, select the option using the downward pointing arrow on the right.

2nd step:

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Firefox automatically detects that the " .deb " file should be installed via the " Application Installation " . Leave this setting and click " OK ".

3rd step:

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The installation manager for Ubuntu software will open automatically. Click here on " Install ".

4th step:

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Ubuntu will now ask you for your password . Enter this in the field provided and confirm with " Login " or [Enter] .

5th step:

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Search for " Skype " in your applications . You can now set up the program as usual.

Tip: Read our other tips + tricks on the subject of Skype.

Install Skype via the terminal with Snap

Under older Ubuntu versions (<16.04) the route via the official ".deb" file may not work. Or the software is not displayed in the software manager. That is why we are going to show you another method to install Skype via the terminal with the package manager "Snap". You can find out how this works in the following in our step-by-step instructions or directly in the brief instructions ..

1st step:

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Start the terminal by either searching for " Terminal " via Applications or directly using the key combination [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [T] .

2nd step:

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Update the Package List . To do this, type in sudo apt-get update in the terminal and enter your password when asked.

3rd step:

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To install Snaps, you have to install the " Snap Daemon " in the short form "snapd ". This manages the installation and upgrades of Snaps. The management program is already preinstalled in current Ubuntu versions. For older versions under Ubuntu 14.04 , it has to be installed manually. To do this, type in sudo apt-get install snapd . When asked, enter the password again and write " Y " or " J " to confirm.

4th step:

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You can now install the Skype snap. Tap sudo snap install skype --classic into the terminal. Snap will automatically integrate the program correctly for you. When the installation is complete, you will be informed about this in the terminal with a green tick.

5th step:

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Search for " Skype " in your applications . You can then set up the program as usual.

Quick guide: Install Skype using the software manager

  1. Open the Skype official [link at https://login.skype.com/login] download website . Click the Download Skype for Linux - DEB button .
  2. It is automatically recognized that the " .deb " file should be installed via the " Application Installation " . Click OK .
  3. The installation manager for Ubuntu software opens automatically. Click on " Install ".
  4. Enter your password and click on " Login ". You can now start Skype from your applications.

Brief instructions: Install Skype via the terminal with Snap

  1. Start the terminal with [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [T] .
  2. Update your package list with sudo apt-get update and enter your password .
  3. Install the snap daemon using the command sudo apt-get install snapd.
  4. Now install the Skype Snap via sudo snap install skype --classic. You can then start Skype via your applications.
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