How does Skype work?
Skype is a fantastic application software owned by Microsoft that enables you to connect with your friends, family members, classmates, and coworkers over the internet. You create your own personalized username, and can chat, message, and videoconference.
You can also use skype on a cell phone or other mobile device, along with any piece of equipment that supports video conferencing. Connect with Skype users across the United States and beyond in real-time for a video chat.
To skip to the meat and potatoes and then get calling, try these shortcuts:
How to use Skype
How to add a Skype contact
Once you have an account, you can:
- Make free one-to-one video and voice calls.
- Make free group video and voice calls.
- Send instant messages.
- Share and exchange files, videos, contacts, and images through the chat message board.
- Share your computer screen.
From your mobile, computer or tablet!
How does Skype work?
Skype is unique because the service is designed to allow its users to communicate by making phone calls and video calls in three different ways:
- Calling/messaging another Skype account
- Calling/messaging a landline
- Calling/messaging a mobile number
Skype-to-Skype calls are generally free, whether or not you choose to use video or the audio-only format. You can use your account to call a person’s phone number, which costs a small fee.
Who can use Skype?
Millions of individuals and businesses around the world already use this service. You can have online spoken conversations with virtually anyone, anywhere!
Besides staying in touch with those that you care about the most, you can connect with an array of professionals that live and work in a different location to yours.
Lecturers, life coaches, health providers, certified language teachers, fitness instructors, and many other experts from diverse career fields choose Skype as a reliable platform to connect with their clients and deliver their services from a distance.
That’s right! For example, you can attend a customized Spanish language lesson, holding a work meeting with your entire team, or having a face-to-face conversation with your “long time, no see” friend who lives on the other side of the world.
How to use Skype?
- Install Skype onto your preferred device.
- Create a free account.
- Sign in.
- Add a contact.
- Start connecting!
If you already have an account but you can’t remember your login information, you may wish to read this article.
On a Mac:
Most modern iOS operating systems can both make and receive Skype video calls. If you have an iPhone 4 or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini, or iPod touch 4th generation or later, you should be good to go.
For video chatting, find the contact of the person you’d like to call, as we discussed above. In the Mac app, choose File > New Conversation and find the contact in the window that appears. Click the Add button and then choose to place a video or voice call.
To add other participants, click the Add Contact button after you’ve already selected the first participant.
Text messaging is similar to what you’re used to on a phone. Once you have the contact selected, you can type them a message in the bar at the bottom of your screen, and then press the send button.
On a PC:
The latest version of Skype for windows will be available in the Microsoft store. Once you’ve found it, download the program and follow the instructions to install.
After you’ve done this, the Skype icon will allow you access to the program each time you’d like to call or message one of your contacts.
When you’re ready to make the call, find the contact you’d like to call and select their profile. Then, click the Video call button on your screen. The window now shows your friend’s profile picture as the program dials your contact. Once they answer, you can chat away.
The process of sending text messages is similar to that on a phone or Mac device. Text messaging is similar to what you’re used to on a phone. Once you have the contact selected, you can type them a message in the bar at the bottom of your screen, and then press the send button.
Where can I download the application?
App Store
Google Play Store
Microsoft Store
The brand’s dedicated website (best for desktop and laptop computers)
How much does Skype cost?
Skype is free to download and very easy to use.
Free features available on version 8 include:
- Audio and HD video calling.
- Instant messages with reactions and use of @mentions.
- Call recording.
- Live subtitles.
- Screen sharing.
- Send files and images.
Screen sharing is a great tool for online collaboration, whether you are planning a family trip to an exotic destination or drafting a final pitch to a high-end client, screen sharing enables instant team work, saving you time and money.
There are additional products and services that you can acquire for an extra charge.
- Call landlines and mobile phones at low rates.
- Get a local phone number (available in 26 regions of the world).
- Send SMS text messages from your account.
What devices support Skype?
You can download the program to the following electronic devices:
- Desktop: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
- Smart mobile phones: Android, iPhone, Windows 10 Mobile.
- Tablet: iPad, Android, Windows, and Kindle Fire HD.
- Xbox One.
- Amazon Echo devices: Alexa.
To find out more about the system requirements and what platforms Skype is available on please check out Skype Support.
How do I make a call in Skype?
The first thing to do is to make sure you have added the person as a contact.
Calling another Skype account is free of charge, but if you are planning to call a landline or a mobile phone number, you need to purchase some credit.
Now, first you have to make sure that the person you are calling already has an account with the service. Secondly, you may wish to add him or her to your contacts list. All you have to do to add a contact is search for a person in the search box, send a message, and your new contact will be added automatically to your list (unless the person rejects your message request!)
To call another account:
Find the person you want to call:
- From your contacts list.
- Or from the search results. You can look for other people using their Name or account ID, as well as their email address.
Then, select the audio or video call button. To make a group call add other participants.
At the end of the call simply use the hang up button.
It’s that simple!