How to Install Skype

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to download and install Skype on your smartphone, tablet, and computer. Skype is free to use, though you will need a Microsoft account in order to sign into Skype.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
On iPhone

1
Open your iPhone's App Store
. Tap the App Store app icon, which resembles a white "A" on a light-blue background.
2
Tap Search. It's a magnifying glass icon in the bottom-right side of the screen.
- If you're on an iPad, the Search option may instead be in the upper-right side of the screen.
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3
Tap the search bar. This option is at the top of the screen. Your iPhone's on-screen keyboard should appear.
4
Type in skype. Doing so will allow you to search the App Store for the Skype app.
5
Tap Search. It's a blue button in your on-screen keyboard. This will search the App Store for the Skype app.
6
Tap GET. This option is to the right of the "Skype for iPhone" heading.
7
Enter your Touch ID. When prompted, scan your fingerprint to confirm your choice. This will allow Skype to begin downloading onto your iPhone.
- If you don't use Touch ID for App Store downloads, instead tap Install when prompted and then enter your Apple ID password.
8
Open Skype. Once Skype finishes downloading, tap OPEN in the App Store, or tap the Skype app icon on your iPhone's Home Screen. This will open the Skype app.
9
Log into Skype. Enter your email address (or phone number, or Skype username) and password when prompted, then follow any on-screen instructions.
- You will most likely be asked if Skype can use your phone's camera, microphone, and location information.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
On Android

1
Open your Android's Google Play Store
. Tap the Google Play Store app icon, which resembles a multicolored triangle on a white background.
2
Tap the search bar. This is at the top of the screen.
3
Type in skype. Doing so will prompt a drop-down menu with a list of matching apps.
4
Tap Skype - free IM & video calls. This option should be the top result in the drop-down menu. Tapping it will take you to the Skype app page.
5
Tap INSTALL. It's a green button on the right side of the screen.
6
Tap ACCEPT when prompted. Doing so will allow Skype to begin downloading onto your Android.
7
Open Skype. Once Skype finishes downloading, tap OPEN in the Google Play Store, or tap the Skype app icon in your Android's App Drawer.
8
Log into Skype. Enter your email address (or phone number, or Skype username) and password when prompted, then follow any on-screen instructions.
- You will most likely be asked if Skype can use your phone's camera, microphone, and location information.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
On Windows

1
Open Start
. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
2
Type in store. This will search for the Store app.
3
Click Store. It's at the top of the Start window. Doing so opens the Windows Store app.
4
Click the search bar. You'll find this in the upper-right side of the Store app.
5
Type in skype. This will prompt a drop-down menu that contains matching options.
6
Click Skype. It should be the first option in the drop-down menu. Doing so opens the Skype app page.
7
Click Get. This option is on the left side of the page. Clicking it prompts Skype to begin installing onto your computer.
- If you've installed Skype in the past, you'll click Install here instead.
8
Open Skype. Click the blue Launch button in the Store window. This button appears once Skype has installed.
9
Log into Skype. In most cases, you'll automatically be signed in with your Microsoft account credentials; if not, enter your Microsoft email address and password, then click Sign In in the middle of the page. This will open your Skype account and load any messages saved to it.
- If you're automatically logged into an account that you don't want to use, click ⋯ in the upper-left side of the Skype window, then click Sign Out in the resulting drop-down menu and log back in with the proper account.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
On Mac

1
Open the Skype website. Go to https://www.skype.com/ in your browser.
2
Click Get Skype. It's a blue button in the middle of the page. This will prompt the Skype setup file to begin downloading onto your Mac.
- Skype will automatically detect that you're using a Mac, thus ensuring that you get the correct file.
3
Wait for Skype to finish downloading. This can take a few seconds to a few minutes depending on your Internet connection.
4
Open the Skype DMG file. Double-click the downloaded Skype setup file to open it.
- If prompted, verify the download in your Mac's System Preferences before proceeding.
5
Install Skype. In the DMG file's window, click and drag the Skype app icon onto the "Applications" folder icon, then release the mouse button. Skype will install onto your Mac.
- It may take a few seconds for Skype to finish installing.
6
Click Applications. This folder is on the left side of the Finder window. Alternatively, you can click the Go menu item at the top of the screen and then click Applications in the resulting drop-down menu.
- If Finder isn't currently selected, you won't see Go at the top of the screen.
7
Open Skype. Find the Skype app icon and double-click it. This will open Skype's login page.
8
Log into Skype. Enter your Microsoft account email address (or phone number, or Skype username) and password to do so, then follow any on-screen instructions. Once you're logged in, you'll be able to use Skype as you please.

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Community Q&A

Question

Do I need a camera set up on my computer in order to use Skype?

Community Answer

Not at all. You can always type on Skype instead, like with any other instant messenger program. If you wish to video chat with a contact, and have them see/hear you, then you will need to have a camera and mic set up.