How to Install Skype 5.0 For Linux Beta in Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10

Last updated: March 1, 2017

Skype 5.0 for Linux

Skype 5.0 for Linux has been announced a few hours ago. It’s now in the beta stage.

What’s New in Skype 5.0 for Linux:

  • Calls to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit
  • one-to-one VIDEO CALLS support from Linux to Skype for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
  • View shared screens from other Skype desktop clients
  • Unity launcher now shows the number of unread conversations
  • online contacts in contact list now include Away and Do Not Disturb statuses.

How to Install Skype 5.0 for Linux in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

The new release can be installed from the Skype apt repository, simply open terminal from Unity Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key and run following commands one by one:

1. Make sure you have ‘apt-transport-https’ installed by running command:

dpkg -s apt-transport-https > /dev/null || bash -c "sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https -y" 

Type in your password (no visual feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Download and install Skype GPG key via command:

curl https://repo.skype.com/data/SKYPE-GPG-KEY | sudo apt-key add -

3. Add Skype apt repository to your system via command:

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list

4. Finally, install Skype for Linux either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running following commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install skypeforlinux

How to Remove:

For any reason you can remove Skype for Linux either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running the command:

sudo apt remove skypeforlinux && sudo apt autoremove

And you can remove the Skype repository via Software & Updates -> Other Software.

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5 responses to How to Install Skype 5.0 For Linux Beta in Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10

  1. Vincèn PUJOL March 1, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    Instead of using these “NSA” tools developed by Microsoft, why not use open source softwares that are doing better ? and convince all your surroundings to use these tools ? For info I’m speaking about Wire that works natively and great on Linux, Windows and Mac (audio/video/text).Not affiliated with them, just a very happy user since I throwed away Skype of my computers !!

  2. Nice :)

    Thank you very much

  3. Henrique Jensen August 31, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    now you can just download in https://www.skype.com/pt-br/download-skype/skype-for-linux/

    and run the command inside the folder that you downloaded:
    sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64.deb

  4. Hi
    how can i install skype for i386 please

  5. Thanks for this solution. I always like your howtos :)