How to Install Skype on Fedora Linux

Skype is a popular communication platform that offers instant messaging, voice, and video calls, as well as screen sharing and file transfer capabilities. It is widely used for both personal and professional purposes. Although Skype is not available in the official Fedora repositories, it can still be installed on Fedora Linux using third-party repositories or by manually downloading and installing the RPM package.

In this article, we will walk you through two methods of installing Skype on Fedora Linux so that you can enjoy seamless communication with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Method 1: Installing Skype Using the RPM Package

The first method involves downloading the RPM package from the official Skype website and installing it manually. Follow these steps:

1. Update your system: Open a terminal window and run the following command to update your Fedora system:

   sudo dnf update 
   

2. Install required dependencies: Skype requires some additional dependencies. Install them using the following command:

   sudo dnf install libXv libXScrnSaver qt5-qtdeclarative qt5-qtx11extras 
   

3. Download the Skype RPM package: Visit the official Skype download page (https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/) and download the RPM package for Linux. Alternatively, you can download it directly using the following command:

   wget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.rpm 
   

4. Install the Skype RPM package: Install the downloaded package using the following command:

   sudo dnf install skypeforlinux-64.rpm 
   

5. Launch Skype: Once the installation is complete, you can launch Skype by searching for it in your application menu or by running the following command:

   skypeforlinux 
   

Method 2: Installing Skype Using the Third-Party Repository

The second method involves adding a third-party repository to your Fedora system and installing Skype using the DNF package manager. Follow these steps:

1. Add the Skype repository: Run the following command to add the Skype stable repository to your Fedora system:

   sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://repo.skype.com/rpm/stable/skype-stable.repo 
   

2. Update your system: Update your Fedora system to ensure that the package information is up to date:

   sudo dnf update 
   

3. Install Skype: Install Skype using the following command:

   sudo dnf install skypeforlinux 
   

4. Launch Skype: Once the installation is complete, you can launch Skype by searching for it in your application menu or by running the following command:

   skypeforlinux 
   

Launch Skype Application on Fedora

Once you have successfully installed Skype on your Fedora system using either of the methods mentioned above, you can launch Skype through the Fedora Graphical User Interface (GUI). Follow these steps:

1. Open the Application Launcher: Click on the “Activities” button located in the top-left corner of your Fedora desktop.
2. Access the Applications Menu: In the Activities overview, you will find a grid icon on the left side of the screen (usually the second icon from the top). Click on this icon to open the Applications menu.
3. Search for Skype: In the Applications menu, you can either scroll through the list of installed applications to find Skype, or use the search bar at the top of the menu to search for “Skype”. As you begin typing “Skype”, the matching application icon will appear.

   

4. Launch Skype: Click on the Skype icon to launch the application. The Skype window will open, and you can sign in with your Microsoft account or create a new account if you don’t already have one.

   

5. Add Skype to Favorites (optional): If you want to add Skype to your favorites for easier access, right-click on the Skype icon in the Applications menu and select “Add to Favorites.” The Skype icon will now appear in the favorites section on the left side of the Activities overview for quick access.

Now you can use Skype on your Fedora system for instant messaging, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and file transfers with your friends, family, or colleagues.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored two methods of installing Skype on Fedora Linux: using the RPM package and using a third-party repository. By following either of these methods, you can enjoy seamless communication with friends, family, and colleagues through Skype’s powerful features, such as instant messaging, voice and video calls, and screen sharing. Regardless of the method you choose, remember to keep your system and Skype application up to date to ensure the best performance and security. With Skype installed on your Fedora system, you are now ready to connect with people worldwide.