Skype for Linux sucks. It is lagging behind and has lots of problems, but some of Ubuntu users may still need this application.

Here’s the quick tip for beginners how to install Skype 4.3 in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS:

1. Enable Canonical Partners Repository

Canonical partners repository offers access to proprietary and closed-source software including Skype for Linux and is not enabled by default.

To enable it, launch Software & Updater from Unity Dash or System Settings, then check the first box in Other Software tab.

The second “Canonical Partners (Source Code)” is not required unless you want to get software sources and make some changes.

2. Skype won’t be listing in the Software App even after adding the partners repository. To install it, use Synaptic Package Manager (need to install):

• click Reload to update cache
• click Search and search Skype
• right-click skype package from the list and select “Mark for Installation”
• click Apply to apply changes

Or just open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and paste following command and hit run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install skype

Type in your password (no visual feedback while typing password) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

Finally launch Skype from Unity Dash or App Launcher and enjoy!

Quick tutorial that shows beginner how to install the Skype 4.3 client for Linux in Ubuntu 15.10 Wily Werewolf.

This just is a rewritten of one my old tutorial when the 4.3 release was released to make the installation more clear and easy to understand!

Skype Audio/Video Call

1. Enable Canonical Partners repository.

The partner repositories offer access to proprietary and closed-source software and are not enabled by default, e.g., adobe-flashplugin, google-cloud-sdk, and skype.

To add the repository, launch Software & Updates and then go to Other Software tab. Check first two boxes as shown below:

2. Refresh package cache and install Skype

For graphical way, install Synaptic Package Manager in Software Center. Then launch the software to refresh your system repositories, search for and install skype.

For those who prefer Linux commands, launch terminal from the Unity Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key. When it opens, run below commands one by one:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install skype

Finally, launch the client from the Dash/Launcher and Enjoy!

Skype native client available in Ubuntu partner repository sucks? Try this unofficial client based on Skype Web version. .

Microsoft provides a web version of Skype allows users to chat and call friends using a web browser. For Linux, you can run the Skype Web as a desktop application (without browser) via an open source program called skype-unofficial-client.

The project is created two days ago. It’s built on top of node webkit and uses system’s notification.

How to install:

This software works on all Ubuntu releases and other Linux. Just open terminal from the Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut keys.

When it opens, run below commands one by one:

1. Download the source:

git clone https://github.com/haskellcamargo/skype-unofficial-client.git

2. Navigate to the source folder in some terminal via:

cd skype-unofficial-client

3. Depends on your OS type, check out top-right corner shutdown menu -> About Computer, select run:

For 32-bit OS run:

sudo make linux_x86

For 64-bit OS run:

sudo make linux_x64

You can now launch it from main menu or via /opt/skype_unofficial_client/skype command. And remove the source folder in your home folder to clean up.

(Optional) To remove this unofficial client, just run below commands to remove the installation files:

sudo rm -R /opt/skype_unofficial_client/

sudo rm /usr/share/applications/Skype.desktop

sudo rm /usr/bin/skype-desktop

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