How To Install Skype on Ubuntu 16.04

This tutorial guides you how to Install Skype on Ubuntu LInux 16.04. We will learn installing Skype using .deb package and from Skype repository.
By Muhammad Panji |
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Introduction

In this tutorial we learn how to install Skype on Ubuntu 16.04 (Xenial Xerus)

Skype is a chat and call application that allow millions of people to connect with each other on a daily basis.

Several important features of Skype:

  • Audio and HD Video Calling
  • Smart Messaging
  • Screen sharing
  • Call Recording and Live Subtitles
  • Call Phones (with affordable pricing
  • Private conversation

You can read more details about Skype features, on Skype website.

Prerequisites

  • Sudo access to Ubuntu Linux 16.04 (Xenial Xerus). Variant of Ubuntu like Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu should also work with this tutorial

Install Skype From Deb Package

There are two methods to install skype. The first one is by downloading a .deb package. This section will teach you how to do this method.

Step 1 – Download Skype .deb package

Download Skype .deb package using wget. You can use the command below.


wget -c https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.deb

Step 2 – Install Skype Using dpkg

Install the downloaded package using the command below.


sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64.deb

This will fail due to unsatisfied dependencies.

Step 3 – Install Skype Dependencies

Run the command below to let apt finish the installation by installing Skype package dependencies.


sudo apt-get install -f

Skype installed you can choose from desktop or you can run from the command line using the command below.


skypeforlinux

Install Skype on Ubuntu 16.04 From Repository

Another method to install Skype is by installing it from Skype repository.

Step 1 – Add Skype GPG Public Key

Add Skype GPG Public Key. This will be used by apt to verify the package downloaded by it is not corrupted.


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

Step 2 – Create Skype Repository File

Create new file named skype-stable.list in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ using command below.


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

Step 3 – Update apt Metadata


sudo apt-get update

Install Skype Package

Install Skype package using the command below.


sudo apt-get install skypeforlinux

Summary

In this tutorial we learn how to install Skype on Ubuntu 16.04. We learn two methods to install Skype on Ubuntu 16.04 (Xenial Xerus).

The first method is installing the .deb package directly. The second method is installing Skype from repository.

I hope this tutorial will enable you to communicate to your family, friends, co-workers, using Skype.