Install Skype on Ubuntu 18.04: .deb Package and Auto-Updates

Skype is one of the most widely used communication platforms in the world. It lets you make free audio and video calls over the internet, send instant messages, share files, and make affordable calls to mobile and landline numbers worldwide. Microsoft owns Skype and uses your Microsoft account as the login credential.

Skype is not open-source and is not included in the Ubuntu repositories. Microsoft distributes the official Linux version as a .deb package through their own Skype apt repository, which also handles automatic updates going forward.

This guide shows you how to install Skype on Ubuntu 18.04. The same steps apply to Ubuntu 16.04, Kubuntu, Linux Mint, and Elementary OS.

Note: The official Skype for Linux package is 64-bit only. There is no 32-bit build available.

<strong>Prerequisite:</strong>&nbsp;You need sudo access.

Install Skype on Ubuntu: Download the .deb Package and Run the Installer

Skype is not in the Ubuntu apt repositories, so you download the .deb package directly from Microsoft’s servers. Use wget to download it:

bashwget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.deb

Once the download completes, install the package:

bashsudo apt install ./skypeforlinux-64.deb

Using apt install ./filename.deb instead of dpkg -i is the recommended approach because apt automatically resolves and installs any missing dependencies. With dpkg, you would need to run sudo apt install -f as a separate step to repair broken dependencies — apt handles this in a single command.

You will be prompted for your sudo password. Behind the scenes, the installation does three things: installs the Skype package, imports the Microsoft GPG signing key so your system trusts future Skype packages, and registers the official Skype apt repository. All three steps run automatically from the package’s post-install script without any extra input from you.

Launch Skype and Sign In with Your Microsoft Account

Start Skype from the Activities menu by searching for “Skype,” or launch it from the terminal:

bashskypeforlinux

The first time Skype opens, a sign-in screen appears. Skype requires a Microsoft account. Sign in with your email address or phone number. If you do not have a Microsoft account, click Create one and register for free at the Microsoft account portal.

After signing in, Ubuntu may display a system prompt asking whether to allow Skype access to your microphone and camera. Grant both permissions. Without microphone access, voice calls will be silent. Without camera access, your video will not transmit during video calls.

The Skype for Linux interface gives you access to:

• Chats: Instant messaging with text, emoji, GIFs, and file attachments
• Audio and video calls: Free one-to-one and group calls with other Skype users
• Screen sharing: Share your full screen or a single application window during any call
• Call phones: Call mobile and landline numbers internationally at low per-minute rates using Skype Credits

How Skype Auto-Updates on Ubuntu

During installation, the Skype package registers an official apt repository at /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list. Verify the file contents with:

bashcat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list

The output will show:

deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb stable main

Because this repository is registered on your system, future Skype updates are delivered automatically through Ubuntu’s standard update mechanism. When Microsoft releases a new version, it appears in the Software Updater alongside other system updates. You do not need to re-download the .deb file manually.

To update Skype from the terminal at any time:

bashsudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade skypeforlinux

Staying updated matters for Skype specifically because Microsoft regularly ships security patches alongside feature improvements. An outdated Skype client can also have trouble connecting to Skype’s servers if the API version it uses has been retired.

Skype is now installed on your Ubuntu 18.04 desktop and set up to receive updates automatically through the official Microsoft repository. Sign in with your Microsoft account and start calling. Leave a comment below if you run into any issues.