Skype is free to use Software from Microsoft that allows you to make calls over the Internet using your laptop, tablet, or desktop. This includes voice and video conferencing. It is useful for both personal and business needs.
While Microsoft has made Skype available for free to Linux users. (In addition to it main customer base who uses the Windows operating systems.) The software is not open source and is proprietary to the Microsoft corporation. They provide a download link as this software is not available on Ubuntu by default. It is always a good idea to keep updating to the latest revision as it becomes available.
This guide takes you through getting rid of any previous versions on your device. Which you should do when installing the latest version available for your version of Ubuntu.
Run the following removal commands from Terminal. (The CTRL+ALT+DEL keyboard shortcut opens Terminal in most Ubuntu builds)
Sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin:i386 skype:i386
Sudo apt-get install sni-qt:i386
Remove the old Skype folder using the command:
rm -rf ~/.Skype
The first step is to open Synaptic Package Manager and search for Skype.
Right-click it and select Mark for Removal or Mark for Complete Removal.
Apply the changes.
The Skype download was added to the Snap Store in version 16.04 and continues with more recent versions. Support for Skype began with version 14.04.
(Figure.1 Snap Shop)
The Skype download is as always still available from the Skype Website.
(Figure.2 Skype Website)
The capability to install from snaps commands was only supported on 14.04, but the Graphical User Interface (UI) is not. Use the following instructions:
Open a terminal window.
The keyboard shortcut CTRL+ALT+DELETE opens the terminal in most Ubuntu builds.
Type in the following commands followed by pressing the Enter key after each line:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
sudo snap install skype --classic
The default way to install Skype is to go to their own download page:
Open an Internet browser and go to the Skype website
Download the Linux DEB file.
You can double-click the file or right click on the file and select open with Software Center and click Install.
You can use Search or pin the application to the sidebar for future use.
The next few steps take you through installing Skype as a snap package from the Snap Store:
Open the Snap Store:
Open an Internet browser and go to the Snap Store
Or you can open the Ubuntu Software Center
You can search for the Skype package or select it from the featured apps.
Double-Click on the Skype icon to install the package.
The following instructions take you through installing from snaps using terminal commands:
Open a terminal window.
The keyboard shortcut CTRL+ALT+DELETE opens the terminal in most Ubuntu builds.
Type in the following commands followed by pressing the Enter key after each line:
sudo apt install snapd
sudo snap install skype --classic
The default way to install Skype is to go to their own download page:
Open an Internet browser and go to the Skype website
Download the Linux DEB file.
You can double-click the file or right click on the file and select open with Software Center and click Install.
You can use Search or pin the application to the sidebar for future use.