Skype is a popular communication platform that allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files with others. It is available for a wide range of devices, including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, and tablets. Skype is a convenient way to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues, whether they are located down the street or on the other side of the world. It is especially useful for making international calls, as it offers competitive rates and high-quality audio and video. In addition to its core communication features, Skype also offers a range of tools for group collaboration, including the ability to share screens and work on documents together in real-time.
In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install Skype on a Fedora Linux desktop using the command line terminal and optional version builds of stable and unstable, along with how to maintain and remove from your system altogether or switch to an alternative Skype version.
Update Fedora
First, update your system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. This will ensure no conflicts arise as best as possible during the installation.
sudo dnf upgrade --refreshInstall Skype with Skype’s RPM Repository
The installation is straightforward, but you can install two versions. Still, most users should install the stable version as it will be immediately updated when a new release is out, given you are using the Skype RPM.
Please note you can only install one version simultaneously using these methods.
Skype Stable
Use the following command to create and import the Skype stable repository automatically.
sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/skype-stable.repo<<EOF
[skype-stable]
name=Skype - STABLE
baseurl=https://repo.skype.com/rpm/stable/
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://repo.skype.com/data/SKYPE-GPG-KEY
EOFNow install the Skype stable client with the following command.
sudo dnf install skypeforlinux -ySkype Unstable
Installing the unstable or better-known term preview build is not advised for most users, but for curious users who prefer to test out developer builds, this version may suit you better than stable.
Use the following command to create and import the Skype unstable repository automatically.
sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/skype-unstable.repo<<EOF
[skype-unstable]
name=Skype - UNSTABLE
baseurl=https://repo.skype.com/rpm/unstable/
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://repo.skype.com/data/SKYPE-GPG-KEY
EOFNow install the Skype stable client with the following command.
sudo dnf install skypeforlinux -yHow to Launch Skype
With the installation complete, you can skype in a few different ways.
First, while you are in your terminal, you can use the following command:
skypeMost desktop users would use the following path to launch the application.
Activities > Show Applications > Skype
Example:
As mentioned above, the tutorial installed the preview/unstable build, which has a different icon, so you will know instantly which version you have installed.
Once open, log in or create an account and you can begin to use Skype on your Fedora workstation desktop.
Example:
Additional Commands & Tips
How to Update Skype
To update, run the DNF update command in your terminal, as you would check your entire system for any updates.
sudo dnf update --refreshIdeally, you should run a terminal update command every so often, even if you have your workstation, to inform you automatically of updates. Sometimes, this method updates can be missed where this command covers all DNF packages.
How to Remove Skype
To remove Skype, use the following command; remember, this is the same command for both stable and unstable versions.
sudo dnf autoremove skypeforlinux -yNote unused dependencies will also be removed.
Next, use the following command for users who want to remove Skype altogether.
sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/skype*.repoThe above command blank removes all skype repositories. To install an alternative version, as explained at the start of the tutorial, follow the same steps for installation again.
Conclusion
The tutorial has demonstrated how to install the stable or preview version of Skype using its own RPM so you will always have the latest version. As explained in the introduction, Skype has many features that make it useful especially if you have family, friends or even business colleagues spread across the globe on multiple operating systems and often is a popular choice amongst the many options available.
