How to Install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04

Skype is one of the very first VoIP platforms owned by Microsoft to introduce free video and voice calls on the Internet. Skype allows its users to voice call, video call, send instant messages, and transfer files. Individuals and organizations use Skype to communicate with other members and share files. Skype is a cross-platform application, available for all operating systems, including Ubuntu Linux. Skype does not come pre-installed on Ubuntu, but you can install it by following this article.

This guide covers five installation methods for Ubuntu 24.04: apt repository, deb file, Snap, Flatpak, and the App Center GUI. Each method suits a different workflow, so pick the one that matches how you manage software on your system. Uninstall steps for each method are included at the end.

Quick Answer

The fastest way to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 is through the Snap package manager:

sudo snap install skype

Launch it with snap run skype. If you prefer the apt method, run sudo apt install -y skypeforlinux after updating your packages. For a graphical install, open App Center, search for Skype, and click Install.

How to Install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04

Method 1: Install Skype on Ubuntu using Apt Repository

You can install Skype on Ubuntu via the apt package manager, which installs packages from the official repository. The apt method will install Skype’s stable version on Ubuntu. Read the instructions below to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04.

Step 1: Update System Packages

To install Skype on Ubuntu from the apt repository, always make sure to update and upgrade system packages first by running the below command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Terminal output of sudo apt update and upgrade on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 2: Install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04

Once the system packages are up-to-date, execute the below command to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 using the apt repository:

sudo apt install -y skypeforlinux

Terminal output of sudo apt install skypeforlinux completing on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 3: Launch Skype

You can open Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 by running this command:

skypeforlinux

Skype application window open on Ubuntu 24.04 after launching via the skypeforlinux command

Method 2: Install Skype on Ubuntu through Deb File

The most prominent and official method that installs the latest version of Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 is through the deb file. The deb file of Skype can be found in its official repository. The deb format is the same packaging standard used when you want to build your own Debian packages from source. To install Skype via deb file, check the following instructions.

Step 1: Download Skype Deb File

First, download the deb package of Skype on Ubuntu from the official repository by providing the deb file link to the wget utility, as shown below:

wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.deb

Note: You must have the 64-bit Ubuntu version installed on your machine to run this Skype version:

Terminal output of wget downloading the skypeforlinux-64.deb file on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 2: Install Skype on Ubuntu

Once the deb file is downloaded, use the apt command alongside the install command and provide the deb file path to begin the Skype installation on Ubuntu 24.04:

sudo apt install ./skypeforlinux-64.deb

Normally, the downloaded files are stored in the Downloads folder, unless you change it manually:

Terminal output of sudo apt install skypeforlinux-64.deb completing on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 3: Launch Skype

To launch Skype on Ubuntu 24.04, run this command:

skypeforlinux

Skype application window open on Ubuntu 24.04 after installing from the deb file

Method 3: Install Skype on Ubuntu using Snap Package Manager

Another method to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 is through the Snapcraft store, which guarantees the latest and most stable version of Skype. Snap also gives you access to other popular browsers like the Chromium web browser. Check the following steps to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04.

Step 1: Install Snapd on Ubuntu

If the snap utility is not installed on the system, run this command to install it:

sudo apt install -y snapd

Terminal output of sudo apt install snapd on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 2: Install Skype

Once the Snap package manager is installed, run this command to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04:

sudo snap install skype

Terminal output of sudo snap install skype completing on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 3: Launch Skype

After installing Skype, launch it on Ubuntu via Snap using this command:

snap run skype

Skype application window open on Ubuntu 24.04 after launching via snap run skype

Method 4: Install Skype on Ubuntu from Flatpak Repository

Installing Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 is also possible via the Flatpak repository. Flatpak hosts every version of an application, allowing users to install whichever version they want. If you manage data science tools on Ubuntu, you can use the same Flatpak workflow to install Anaconda on Ubuntu 24.04. Read the stepwise instructions below to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04.

Step 1: Install Flatpak

By default, Flatpak does not come pre-installed on Ubuntu. To install the Flatpak utility on Ubuntu, run this command:

sudo apt install -y flatpak

Terminal output of sudo apt install flatpak on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 2: Add Flatpak Remote Repository to the System

After installing Flatpak, add its remote repository to the Ubuntu system by executing this command:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Adding a remote repository to the system will allow you to install applications from the Flatpak repository:

Terminal output of flatpak remote-add flathub command on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 3: Install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04

Now run this command to install Skype on Ubuntu via the Flatpak repository:

flatpak install flathub com.skype.Client -y

Terminal output of flatpak install flathub com.skype.Client completing on Ubuntu 24.04

Note: Skype installed through Flatpak may only appear in the applications list once the session is restarted.

Step 4: Launch Skype

You can launch Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 via Flatpak using this command:

flatpak run com.skype.Client

Skype application window open on Ubuntu 24.04 after launching via flatpak run com.skype.Client

Method 5: Install Skype on Ubuntu via App Center (GUI)

The simplest method to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04 is through the App Center. To install Skype on Ubuntu using App Center, follow the given steps.

Step 1: Launch App Center

First, open the App Center application from the dock:

Ubuntu 24.04 desktop showing the App Center icon in the dock

Step 2: Search for Skype

Once the App Center is launched, search and open the Skype application:

App Center search results showing Skype listed in Ubuntu 24.04

Step 3: Install Skype

Click on the Install button to install Skype on Ubuntu:

Skype page in Ubuntu 24.04 App Center with the Install button highlighted

Enter the user credentials to authenticate the installation of Skype:

Authentication dialog box asking for user credentials to install Skype on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 4: Launch Skype

Once Skype is installed, press Windows + A to list all applications, search for Skype, and launch it:

Ubuntu 24.04 Applications screen showing Skype ready to launch after installation

How to Uninstall Skype from Ubuntu 24.04

You can remove Skype from Ubuntu through the apt package manager, Snap package manager, and Flatpak repository. Check the given methods to remove Skype from Ubuntu.