How to Install Skype on Arch Linux

Skype is a very popular chat application from Microsoft that allows you to chat and connect with your friends, colleagues and loved ones using free HD video and voice calls at absolutely no cost at all. At the time of writing this guide, the latest version of Skype for Linux is 8.56.0.103. Without much further ado, let’s dive in.

Step 1: Update Arch Linux

Log in to your Arch Linux system as a sudo user and update the system using the command shown.

$ sudo pacman -Syy
Update Arch Linux Packages
Update Arch Linux Packages

Step 2: Clone Skype for Linux Binary File

The AUR repository provides a binary package for Skype. Using git command, proceed and clone the Skype AUR package using the command shown.

$ sudo git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/skypeforlinux-stable-bin.git
Clone Skype in Arch Linux
Clone Skype in Arch Linux

Step 3: Build the Skype AUR Package in Arch Linux

Before building the package, you need to change permissions for the cloned skypeforlinux directory from root to the sudo owner. So run the command.

$ sudo chown -R tecmint:users skypeforlinux-stable-bin
Change Permission on Skype Directory
Change Permission on Skype Directory

To build the Skype package, navigate into the folder.

$ cd skypeforlinux-stable-bin

Now build the Skype AUR package using the command.

$ makepkg -si
Build Skype in Arch Linux
Build Skype in Arch Linux

Type Y to proceed with the installation process and hit ENTER each time when prompted to install all the packages. This will take a bit of time, so you can relax as the installation goes on or grab a cup of tea.

Once the installation is complete, you can verify the installation of Skype by running the command.

$ sudo pacman -Q
Verify Skype Installation on Arch Linux
Verify Skype Installation on Arch Linux

We can see from the output that we have installed the latest version of Skype which is version 8.56.0.103-1. To display more information about the package run.

$ sudo pacman -Qi
Check Skype Version Info
Check Skype Version Info

The command gives you a whole lot of information such as the version, architecture, build date, install date and installed size to mention just a few.

Step 4: Starting Skype in Arch Linux

To launch skype, simply type the command skypeforlinux on the terminal.

$ skypeforlinux
Start Skype in Arch Linux
Start Skype in Arch Linux

The Skype pop-up will appear and after hitting the “Let’s Go” button, you will be prompted for the login credentials.

Skype Running on Arch Linux
Skype Running on Arch Linux

Upon providing your login credentials, you will be good to go! And this wraps up our short guide on how you can install the latest version of Skype on Arch Linux.

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James Kiarie
This is James, a certified Linux administrator and a tech enthusiast who loves keeping in touch with emerging trends in the tech world. When I'm not running commands on the terminal, I'm taking listening to some cool music. taking a casual stroll or watching a nice movie.

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9 Comments

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  1. skype 4.3 requires pulseaudio and pavucontrol.

    Why would any one want to use pulseaudio. there are many problems with pulseaudio. It is a failure in that it is supposed to be simple and “black-box” but its not – I always have to dig in some configuration to make it work. It is also a failure in that it is supposed to simplify things, but it also makes it complicated; because it tries to guess what you want, is very intrusive, and when you change configurations it often doesn’t know what to do. Lastly, it is painfully slow by design. It resamples every single audio “manually”. You literally have to choose between quick resampling or a good resampling. If you like to do anything computationally intensive while listening to music, give up. You can’t. That’s pulseaudio.

    Reply

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