Install Skype in Debian
October 10, 2015 in software
Install Skype in Linux Debian
Skype is a simply way to make voice or video calls or chat with your friends with IM (instant messages). Go to official site of skype (http://www.skype.com/en/) and click on "Download skype". Select Debian from the dropdown menu of distribution selection. Save the file in your Downloads directory. the file should be something like skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb where the "4.3.0.37-1_i386″ is the version of skype.
before we proceed with the installation if you are running a 64bit Debian we need to add 32bit compatibility in case that you dont have already.
open a terminal and type:
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lib32z1 lib32ncurses5
sudo apt-get update
Now move to Downloads and try to install the downloaded skype package:
cd ~/Downloads/
sudo dpkg -i skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb
At that point most likely the installation will fail due to some missing dependancies. to fix that issue the following command:
sudo apt-get -f install
Once that is finished then type again
sudo dpkg -i skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb
Now that all dependancies are there the installation will be able to finish normally.
In order to start skype either type in terminal "skype" or by clicking the skype icon in menu.
Looked all over the internet for a solution, this is the right one! Worked for me with my
DEBIAN 8 64 bit
Thank-you
Feb 2017
I’ve tried to install Skype on Debian Stretch for one video call also. It’s an absolute nightmare, but to be expected with their new big brother update. Some people are saying you have to run Skype as Superuser which is an absolute disgrace. I don’t even use the computer myself as superuser. Giving Skype superuser privileges will allow Microsoft to install malware, spyware on your computer and there is no need to do it.
You might be able to use pidgin and Pidgin-sipe to do it. Some directions are outlined here http://chrisjrob.com/2015/09/02/linux-microsoft-skype-for-business-lync-2013-client/ As it says in the comments of that tutorial, you need to have pidgin OPEN when you install pidgin-sipe so it doesn’t break Pidgin in the process.
Another thing you could do is install virtual box and run it from a Windows install on Virtualbox. Or you can use Wine and try and run it through Wine. Not sure if that will work if Skype are looking for Superuser Privileges though. If you are running it through virtualbox you can set up USB ports through virtualbox although I can’t remember how to do this. You might want to give yourself a day or playing with it as usually it takes a while to bypass Microsoft spying attempts.
You can replace the first explanation with this command:
"wget -c http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb"
and then everything is executed from the command line.