How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu

You can install Skype for Ubuntu without having to leave the command prompt. Since version 4.3, Skype can be found in the Canonical Partners repository, which makes it possible to install it without downloading the package from Skype.com....
Method 1 of 2:

Installing from the Canonical Partners Repository

  1. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 1How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 1
    Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open a terminal window. It used to be that Skype had to be installed by manually downloading the binary from Skype's website, but now you can install it from the Canonical Partners repository. Start by opening a terminal window.
  2. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 2How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 2
    Enable Multiarch for 64-bit Ubuntu. If you're using the 64-bit version of Ubuntu, you'll need to enable Multiarch so the program will install. At the command prompt:[1]
    1. Type: sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
    2. Press Enter.
  3. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 3How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 3
    Add the Canonical Partners repository to Ubuntu. This repository, which is where Skype (and a lot of other closed-source software) is found, is disabled by default.[2] To enable it from the command line:[3]
    1. Type: sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"
    2. Press Enter.
  4. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 4How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 4
    Install Skype from the Canonical Partners Repository. Ubuntu recommends that Skype only be installed through this repository (rather than downloading the package from Skype's website).[4] Here's how:
    1. Type: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype
    2. Press Enter to begin the installation. When the installation is complete, you'll return to the command line.
  5. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 5How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 5
    Type skype at the prompt and press Enter. This will launch Skype. Follow the prompts to create your account so you can get started with video chat.
Method 2 of 2:

Installing Skype Manually

  1. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 6How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 6
    Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open a terminal window. While it's no longer mandatory that Skype be installed by manually downloading the package from Skype's website, it's still an option.[5] Try installing Skype from the Canonical Partners repository first. If you run into any issues, use this method as a backup.
  2. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 7How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 7
    Download Skype with wget. The path to the package is different depending on whether you're using 32-bit or 64-bit Ubuntu:
    1. If you're using 32-bit Ubuntu, type: wget http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-beta-ubuntu-32 and press Enter.
    2. 64-bit Ubuntu, type: wget http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-beta-ubuntu-32 and press Enter.
  3. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 8How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 8
    Install Multiarch for 64-bit Ubuntu. If you're using the 64-bit version of Ubuntu, you'll need Multiarch to install Skype. Here's how to do it from the command line:[6]
    1. Type: sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 and press Enter.
    2. When you return to the command prompt, type: sudo apt-get update and press Enter.
  4. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 9How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 9
    Install Skype from the downloaded package. You'll do this with the 'dkpg' command. Make sure the version number aligns with the one you downloaded earlier.[7]
    1. Type: sudo dpkg -i skype-ubuntu-precise_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb and press Enter.
    2. As Linux tries to unpack Skype, you'll see a slew of errors on the screen about dependency issues. This is normal.
  5. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 10How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 10
    Install the required dependencies. To correct the errors and start the Skype install:
    1. Type: sudo apt-get -f install and press Enter.
    2. Wait a few moments as the package installs. When the installation is complete, you'll return to the command prompt.
  6. How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 11How to Install Skype Using Terminal on Ubuntu Picture 11
    Run your new installation of Skype. To start Skype, type skype and press Enter. Follow the prompts to sign in or create a new account with Skype.
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