Translation(s): English - Français - 简体中文 - Русский
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License: |
non-free |
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quality: |
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Version reviewed: 4.3.0.37-1 |
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Download |
unsigned .deb |
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Source: |
not-available |
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Lintian: |
minor errors |
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Control scripts |
none |
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Languages: |
es pl zh_t ja no pt_br fr cs ro lv lt pt_pt et ko bg uk ru en zh_s th de it tr |
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Architectures: |
i386, amd64 |
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Legend: = Pass ; = Bad |
Skype is non-free, proprietary, closed source software, owned by a for profit corporation and not supported by Debian. Have you considered using a free and open source alternative, which is community-owned and supported by Debian, such as VoIP ekiga, linphone, or jitsi? See also UnifiedCommunications
Contents
Skype Web
As of December 2016 Skype Web works on Debian Jessie, including for conference calls, except for video. Voice calls work on chromium, not firefox-esr.
https://web.skype.com is in Beta. You can use Skype Web on Debian to chat with your Skype contacts though. Assumes you use a modern Debian web browser such as firefox-esr (for text chat) of chromium (for voice calls).
It is easy to get started without any installation when using a separate Chromium profile for Skype by creating this skypeweb.desktop file:
[Desktop Entry] Name=Skype Web Comment=Skype Web application in a Chromium profile Exec=sh -c "mkdir -p $HOME/.local/share/skypeweb && GDK_BACKEND=x11 chromium --user-data-dir=$HOME/.local/share/skypeweb https://web.skype.com 1>/dev/null 2>/dev/null &" Terminal=false Type=Application Encoding=UTF-8 Categories=Network;Application;
Related pages and sources
Installing Skype 5.3.0.1 (64 bit Version)
On March 29, 2017 Microsoft released #Skype for Linux version 5.0.0.5 at 64 bit. Which replaces the legacy 4.3.0.37-1 at 32 bit.
To install Skype 5 choose one of the following sections depending on your Debian version
Debian 9 "Stretch"
64 bits/amd64
As of May 3rd, 2017 Debian 9 "Stretch" is still in testing mode. So not yet stable. If you need a stable Debian, it is suggested to use the presently stable Debian 8 "Jessie" instead.
Steps to install Skype 5 on Debian 9 "Stretch" at 64 bits/amd64
If not already done, using Terminal as user, run the following command to install sudo package
apt-get install sudo
Note: sudo package allows you to execute some commands as root.
Using your favorite browser such as Firefox go to https://go.skype.com/linux.deb to download Skype 5 installer skypeforlinux-64.deb file
- Using Terminal as user, run the following command to install Skype 5
sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64.deb
Skype 5 is now installed. The executable is named skypeforlinux.
Note: Skype version 5.3.0.1 installs and seems to work flawlessly
Frequently Ask Questions (F.A.Q.) for Stretch 64 bits
Any volunteer to edit this section?
Debian 8 "Jessie"
64 bits/amd64
Steps to install Skype 5 for Linux Beta on Debian 8 "Jessie" at 64 bits/amd64
If not already done, using Terminal as user, run the following command to install sudo package
apt-get install sudo
Note: sudo package allows you to execute some commands as root.
Still using Terminal as user, run the following command to install apt-transport-https package. Which is required by Skype.
sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https
Note: apt-transport-https package allows https download transport for APT.
Using your favorite browser such as Firefox go to https://go.skype.com/linux.deb to download Skype 5 installer skypeforlinux-64.deb file. The download should automatically start after a few seconds.
Note: If the web page above is not automatically starting the download, alternatively the Skype 5 installer skypeforlinux-64.deb file could be downloaded manually from https://repo.skype.com/deb/pool/main/s/skypeforlinux/ On that page, it is suggested to download the most recent version of the installer.
- Using Terminal as user, run the following command to install Skype 5
sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64.deb
Skype is now installed. The executable is named skypeforlinux.
Done. You have successfully installed Skype 5 for Debian 8 Jessie.
Note: During the installation the repository https://repo.skype.com/deb was added. In the future Debian will automatically check if a new version of Skype is available. If you configure your Package Updater appropriately you could get automated updates.
Optional tips if you are using GNOME:
- Steps to open Skype:
Search your Dash for Skype for Linux Beta icon
- Click on it to open Skype
To automatically open Skype at boot and log-in, using Tweak Tool:
Click on Startup applications vertical tab
Click on the + button
Search and select Skype for Linux Beta
- Next time you reboot your computer Skype will automatically open
Optionally, if you need to see Skype icon in your GNOME tray, so that you can easily see the Skype tray notifications, you might be interested to install that TopIcons extension.
Frequently Ask Questions (F.A.Q.) for Jessie 64 bits
Any volunteer to edit this section?
Debian 7 "Wheezy"
32 bits/i386
Debian 7 "Wheezy" is supported and secured until May 31st, 2018. With Long Term Support (LTS). To keep your computer secure it is suggested to upgrade to Debian 8 "Jessie" at your earliest convenience.
Steps to install Skype 5 on Debian 7 "Wheezy" at 32 bits/i386
- Any volunteer to edit this section?
64 bits/amd64
Debian 7 "Wheezy" is supported and secured until May 31st, 2018. With Long Term Support (LTS). To keep your computer secure it is suggested to upgrade to Debian 8 "Jessie" at your earliest convenience.
Option 1: Using GDebi
Steps to install Skype 5 on Debian 7 "Wheezy" at 32 bits/i386
It seems it's not yet possible to install Skype 5 on Debian 7 Wheezy 64 bit. Because when you try to install it GDebi returns the following error message:
Error: Dependency is not satisfiable: libfontconfig1 (>= 2.11)
On Debian Wheezy 7 at 64 bit the libfontconfig1 package version is 2.9.0-7 but 2.11 or more recent is required by Skype 5. There is no backport yet. Any volunteer to find a resolution for that? One option is to upgrade your Debian Wheezy 7 to Debian Jessie 8 or more recent. Debian Jessie 8 stable comes with libfontconfig1 version 2.11.0-6.3.
Frequently Ask Questions (F.A.Q.) for Wheezy 64 bits
Any volunteer to edit this section?
Installing Skype 4.3.0.37 (Legacy Version)
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
On March 29, 2017 Microsoft released Skype 5.0.0.5 at 64 bit. Which replaces the legacy 4.3.0.37-1 at 32 bit. Since then it seems Skype as terminated support for 4.3.0.376-1 as it does not allow log-in. Upgrading to 5.0.0.5 will allow you to log-in.
The below information about 4.3.0.37 (Legacy Version) is kept for reference only. It is suggested to use Skype 5 instead of 4.
Skype is available for amd64 and i386 architectures and Debian 7 or later. Generally, latest packages can be found at the Skype Web site.
It is important to note that by using the legacy Skype client you will not be able to message or call people using the newer version of Skype on Windows or Linux, and vice-versa. Calling and messaging with the legacy client will only work between Skype 4.3.0.37 for Linux.
There maybe exceptions to this in some cases, but generally it is recommended to install the new Skype for Linux Alpha for a functioning Skype.
Debian 9 "Stretch"
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
Steps to install Skype 4.3.0.37 Legacy on Debian 9 "Stretch"
For 32 bit and 64 bit systems download libssl1.0.0 package from jessie or unstable for i386 architecture from here: https://packages.debian.org/search?suite=all&arch=i386&searchon=names&keywords=libssl1.0.0 then
sudo apt install ./libssl1.0.0_1.0.1k-3+deb8u5_i386.deb
wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-deb
sudo apt install ./skype-install.deb
Debian 8 "Jessie"
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
(See Debian 7 "Wheezy")
Frequently Ask Questions (F.A.Q.) for Jessie 64 bits
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
(Make sure you followed all the instructions in Debian 7 "Wheezy" before trying to fix possible problems)
Question: Problems starting Skype, what to do?
Answer: Starting Skype from the command line can give you error messages that will guide you to the solution.
Question: I get the following error message when starting skype from the command line:
skype: error while loading shared libraries: libGL.so.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
Answer: If you are using nvidia proprietary drivers you need to install the i386 version of libGL
# apt-get install libgl1-nvidia-glx:i386
If you are not using nvidia proprietary drivers you can try:
# ln -s /usr/lib/mesa-diverted/i386-linux-gnu/libGL.so.1 /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/
Question: The installation instructions for Wheezy are not working for Jessie?
Answer: Try the following commands
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 sudo aptitude update sudo aptitude install libc6:i386 libqt4-dbus:i386 libqt4-network:i386 libqt4-xml:i386 libqtcore4:i386 libqtgui4:i386 libqtwebkit4:i386 libstdc++6:i386 libx11-6:i386 libxext6:i386 libxss1:i386 libxv1:i386 libssl1.0.0:i386 libpulse0:i386 libasound2-plugins:i386 wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-deb sudo dpkg -i skype-install.deb
Question: Why is Skype not using my systems default cursor?
Answer: Install the 32-bit variant of libxcursor1.
# apt-get install libxcursor1:i386
Question: Why is Skype not using my systems default theme?
Answer: Install the 32-bit variant of gtk2-engines-murrine and gtk2-engines-pixbuf.
# apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine:i386 gtk2-engines-pixbuf:i386
KDE Users
In order for Skype to use the systems theme under KDE you must install the 32-bit variant of the GTK2 theme engine you are using, and in Skype => Options specify for Skype not to use the Desktop Setting but instead use GTK+.
For example if you are using the default GTK theme engine Oxygen for your GTK applications then you must install:
# apt-get install gtk2-engines-oxygen:i386
Debian 7 "Wheezy"
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
32 bits/i386
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
The i386 package works well with a standard i386 Debian 7 system
To install Skype choose one of the following two options
Option 1: Using GDebi
Type the following commands in Terminal:
# apt-get install gdebi $ wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-deb # gdebi skype-install.deb
GDebi will automatically install all required dependencies.
Option 2: Not using GDebi
This option is an alternative install method. Mostly for users of KDE who do not want the GDebi dependencies.
Type the following commands in Terminal:
$ wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-deb # dpkg -i skype-install.deb
It is expected that there may be missing dependency errors output by dpkg. To fix missing dependencies run:
# apt-get -f install
64 bits/amd64
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
The following instructions work with both Debian 7.4 and 7.5. If not working, please open a ticket at the Skype forum.
From Wheezy onwards, Debian supports Multi-Arch. The Skype packages for i386 work well with Multi-Arch.
Option 1: Using GDebi
First, you will have to enable Multi-Arch; to do so type in the following commands in ROOT Terminal:
# dpkg --add-architecture i386 # apt-get update
Then, download the i386 package as above and install:
# apt-get install gdebi $ wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-deb # gdebi skype-install.deb
Quite a few i386 packages will be installed by gdebi, however be careful to check which packages the above command has uninstalled as this might delete important packages such as openssh-server.
Skype is installed. Enjoy.
Option 2: Not using GDebi
This option is an alternative install method. Mostly for users of KDE who do not want the GDebi dependencies.
First, you will have to enable Multi-Arch:
# dpkg --add-architecture i386 # apt-get update
Then, download the i386 package as above and install:
$ wget -O skype-install.deb http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-linux-deb # dpkg -i skype-install.deb
It is expected that there may be missing dependency errors output by dpkg. To fix missing dependencies run:
# apt-get -f install
If you're using Gnome 3, to access the Skype menu, move your mouse to the bottom right side of your screen, then right-click on the Skype icon.
Frequently Ask Questions (F.A.Q.) for Wheezy 64 bits
In June 2017 Skype have announced that: "All Skype for Linux clients version 4.3 and older will be retired on July 1, 2017. To keep chatting, please install the latest version of Skype for Linux."
This also means that starting on July 1, 2017, if you use Skype 4.3 or older you will not be able to log-in Skype. To resolve this you need to upgrade your Skype to version 5.x or more recent.
Question: Why does Skype return the error message "Skype can't connect", or "Sign in failed" and "Server connect failed"?
Answer: Upgrade your Skype software to version 4.3, as of May 2014.
To upgrade your Skype, simply follow the instructions above.
That error is caused by the Skype authentication server, which is forcing Linux users to upgrade to Skype 4.3. Thanks to Clived for that solution :). Older versions worked until the end of July 2014, but the Skype server will no longer accept them. The error message could be clearer by inviting Linux user to upgrade their Skype.
Question: Why can't skype use my webcam?
Answer: You probably need to preload v4l compatibility.
Try this:
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype
The user skype is running as must also be a member of the video group.
Also note that if Enable Skype Video is disabled when Skype starts it will never find your webcam (as of version 4.3).
So check in the menus, Skype->Options->Video Devices->Enable Skype Video. Enable it, close skype completely (watch for it in your system tray - close it fully), then start it again.
If your architecture is amd64, you will need to install libv4l-0 for i386 :
# apt-get install libv4l-0:i386
Question: Why does Skype not start when I click the Skype Launcher? Why does it return "symbol lookup error" when I try to start it from the Terminal?
Answer: Using Terminal, type in the following command to start Skype:
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/ /usr/bin/skype
- This command is a workaround. It runs Skype from the Terminal and manually makes sure it is pointed to the i386 libraries at /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/
- The full first part of the error message reads:
skype: symbol lookup error: skype: undefined symbol:
- This is assuming you have the skype:i386 package installed, not the amd64 64-bit package.
- That error has to do with the current transition to Multi-Arch, which allows libraries of different architectures on the same install, such as i386 and amd64.
Answer source: Iwan / user29978
Question: Skype will not start in a my Debian Wheezy 64 bit environment. How do I fix that?
Answer: When starting Skype, a native 32 bit binary, in a 64 bit environment you might run into the following error and Skype refuses to start:
skype: error while loading shared libraries: libGL.so.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
So far I only had this problem on 64 bit. The following solution solved it:
# ln -s /usr/lib/mesa-diverted/i386-linux-gnu/libGL.so.1 /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/
Question: Why am I not getting any sound from Skype?
Answer: If you have sound problems, you may be missing libpulse.
As of Skype version 4.3.0 the PulseAudio server must be running, as ALSA support has been dropped. Symptoms are no sound in the program and no devices other than "default" listed in the program options for microphone and speakers. Version 4.2.0 works with ALSA, but libpulse still must be installed, as described below.
You can install libpulse with:
# apt-get install libpulse0:i386
If you have PulseAudio 4 and Skype 4.2 with wrong sound, use either solution:
1) PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC variable environment trick from the Skype forum:
$ PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30 skype
2) From http://pc-freak.net: In file/etc/pulse/default.pa substitute the line :
load-module module-udev-detect
with
load-module module-udev-detect tsched=0
and restart the PulseAudio server.
If microphone is too low with pulseaudio and Skype 4.3, then hit F6 in alsamixer and pick correct input. https://askubuntu.com/a/95691/322045 . Furthermore, you might find this is not saved with the rest of alsa, and therefore need to do it often... or perhaps amixer -c 0 set "Internal Mic Boost" 100% in a wrapper script might work...
Upgrading Skype
Simply install the new Skype version
Frequently Ask Questions (F.A.Q.) about upgrading Skype
Question: I tried to upgrade Skype by installing the new Skype version. But Skype is still buggy or not working properly?
Answer: To reduce risk of data lost it is suggested to backup any valuable Skype data before doing the following. You could try to delete the ".Skype" folder in your home directory before installing the new Skype version. The ".Skype" directory contains your personal information and preferences. Otherwise, Skype will not start in the latest version, as you can see from the Skype frame title! If you have successfully started an upgraded version, Skype will ask you to sign a user agreement. If you do not see the ".Skype" folder in your home directory, press Ctrl+H in order to show hidden folders.
Jailing Skype
Since Skype is non-free software, you might want to jail it so it can't freely access your files. See this blog post for a simple way of doing it.
Package Review
Path and Files
A binary is installed in /usr/bin, some data files in /usr/share, and a little bit of documentation in /usr/doc. A configuration file for dbus is placed in /etc/dbus-1/system.d/.
Lintian
# lintian -v skype-debian_4.0.0.7-1_i386.deb N: Using profile debian/main. N: Setting up lab in /tmp/temp-lintian-lab-iZ1DBQdipA ... N: ---- N: Processing binary package skype (version 4.0.0.7-1, arch i386) ... W: skype: hardening-no-relro usr/bin/skype W: skype: changelog-not-compressed-with-max-compression changelog.Debian.gz W: skype: new-package-should-close-itp-bug E: skype: description-starts-with-package-name W: skype: extended-description-line-too-long W: skype: extended-description-line-too-long W: skype: possible-unindented-list-in-extended-description W: skype: extended-description-contains-empty-paragraph W: skype: binary-without-manpage usr/bin/skype
A changelog is included only for the purposes of "compliance". It does not actually list what has changed from release to release and there is no version history included within it.
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