Here's how to use Skype.
Use the clickable sections below
to skip through different parts of this tutorial.
Skype is a video, audio, and chat platform
available on desktop, mobile, and tablets.
We'll use the desktop-app version for this tutorial.
First, go to Skype.com and download the program
or application onto your computer and install.
To use Skype,
you'll need to sign in to your Microsoft account.
If you don't have one already,
you can get one for free at Microsoft.com.
Once you've signed in,
you'll be taken to the Skype home page.
On the top left, you'll see your profile name.
Click here to see more of your profile.
Underneath your profile name,
you'll see your username.
Your profile name is your display name.
Your Skype username is your unique name
you'll share with others so they can find you.
Underneath your username,
you can change your status from active.
We'll set ours to away
so our contacts know not to call us.
Underneath, you'll see your status,
where you can share with others what you're up to.
Let's let them know we're in a meeting.
Under your profile,
you'll find the tabs
chats, calls, contacts, and notifications.
Click here to launch each section.
Under the chat tab,
you'll see all your chat activity and conversations.
Under the call tab, you'll see your call history.
Click on the contacts tab
to find a contact you've already connected with on Skype.
To see all your latest news,
open up the notifications page.
To chat with someone on Skype,
click on the chat tab and then "New Chat."
From the drop-down, choose "New Chat" again,
and then select the contact you want.
A chat window will appear.
Type your message in the window and then click send.
There are other functions you can use
in the Skype chat window as well as typing a message,
such as adding emojis, attaching files,
and sharing your location.
You can find all of these functions here.
Once you've sent a message,
you'll see an icon appear under the message
to show you they've received it.
If they start responding,
it'll show they're typing here.
To video or audio call the contact you're chatting with,
click on the icons here.
If you want to change your chat to a group chat,
click the group icon here
and then add the contacts you want to join.
You can audio and video call another Skype user for free.
To call someone, click on the calls tab
and then select "New Call."
A pop-up window will appear
showing all your Skype contacts.
Search for the contact you want
using their name or username,
and you'll see them appear.
If they're not already in your contacts,
they'll appear under "MORE PEOPLE."
Click the check mark next to their name
and then select "Call."
If you have their contact saved,
it may give you the option to call free on Skype
or to call their mobile.
Choose "Call free on Skype" to call them for free.
Select "Call" again in the top right corner
and then "Call free on Skype" again to audio call.
You can also select "Video call."
Let's start with an audio call.
You'll see the call is connecting
in the top left corner
once the call starts ringing.
To mute and unmute yourself during the call,
click on the microphone icon.
To turn your camera on
and swap the audio call to a video call,
click the video icon here.
To send a chat message to the other person on the call,
click on the "Chat" icon.
You can show them what's on your screen
by clicking on the "Share your screen" button.
To send animated emojis,
click on the "React" button
and select the emoji you want from the drop-down.
To hang up, click the red icon.
You can also call a mobile or landline
using Skype for a small charge.
On the homepage next to your profile name,
you'll find your Skype balance here.
This is how much credit your account currently has
to make calls.
You'll need some credit in your account
to be able to call a mobile or landline.
To add credit, click on the amount
and then continue on the pop-up window.
You can add credit or choose a monthly subscription
from the options below.
Select the choice you want
and then click "Buy Credit"
or "Try free for a month"
and then continue to process the payment.
Once you have credit in your Skype account,
click on the calls tab, and then "New Call."
From the pop-up window,
select the "Dial pad" icon in the top right corner
and then type the phone number you want to call.
Click the call icon to start dialing.
To start a video call,
click on the calls tab
and then "Meet Now."
From the drop-down, choose "Host a meeting"
and then continue.
You'll see yourself appear in a video call.
Next to "WHAT IS THIS MEETING ABOUT,"
type in a description.
To add contacts to the call,
click "Skype contacts"
and then search for the people you want to add.
Select them using the check mark next to their name
and then "Done."
You can also ask people to join
by sharing a link to the meeting.
Click "Share invite"
and then choose how you want to send it
from the drop-down menu.
Click "Start Meeting" to begin the call.
To mute or unmute yourself,
click on the microphone icon.
To turn your video off,
click on the video icon.
Click on the "Chat" icon to message everyone in the meeting
and share documents.
You can also raise your hand during a group Skype call
by clicking the "Raise Your Hand" icon.
You can change the way you see other people on the call
by selecting the drop-down arrow next to "Grid view"
and selecting a different view.
If you're hosting a meeting,
you can use the record function
to record a copy of the Skype call.
To end or leave the conference,
click on the hang-up button.
To add a Skype contact,
click on the contacts tab
and then select "New Contact."
A pop-up window will appear.
You can search for contacts by their username,
display name, or mobile number.
Select the contacts you want from the list below
and click "Add."
They'll receive a notification
asking them if they want to accept
the connection request.