72
jovan@jovan-HP-ProBook-4540s:~$ sudo apt-get install skype
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies: skype : Depends: skype-bin

E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.
7
  • Have you added some PPAs? What does sudo apt-get dist-upgrade do?
    – mreq
    May 10, 2013 at 20:35
  • does nothing read pls:
    – Jovan
    May 15, 2013 at 20:05
  • jovan@jovan-HP-ProBook-4540s:~$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done Calculating upgrade... Done 0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
    – Jovan
    May 15, 2013 at 20:05
  • @rolandixor Since you have so much experience would you be so kind and point a direction for me where to search the solution for my issue? Thanks
    – Jovan
    May 24, 2013 at 23:10
  • @Jovan have you looked at the other question I pointed you to?
    – RolandiXor
    May 25, 2013 at 1:47

10 Answers 10

132

For Ubuntu 13.04 and Onwards ( 13.10 , 14.04 , 14.10 .....)

command line way

Open Terminal & copy paste the following commands

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install skype

HELP How do I install Skype?


GUI WAY

Go To System Settings > Software & Updates

enter image description here

Then

enter image description here

Authenticate & Click Close

enter image description here

Install It From Ubuntu Software Center

enter image description here

For Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty (64bit) fix skin issue with this command:

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine:i386 gtk2-engines-pixbuf:i386 sni-qt:i386

enter image description here

7
  • 1
    These instructions worked fine for me on Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin), too.
    – zrajm
    Jan 8, 2014 at 21:10
  • 8
    These instructions work for 13.10 and 14.04. Thank you!
    – Zlatty
    Feb 3, 2014 at 14:03
  • 2
    This should be the accepted answer, works in 14.04 64b Apr 25, 2014 at 15:30
  • 2
    You can't install skype on later 64 bit systems without adding i386 architecture. See askubuntu.com/questions/215298/… May 2, 2014 at 3:50
  • 1
    +1 These instructions also worked for 14.10
    – Tuna
    Jun 15, 2015 at 16:46
16

To install skype:

You can either do it the easy way by typing this into your Terminal : sudo apt-get -f install skype or you can Install skype manually by following these steps:

  1. Go to Skype's homepage and download Skype for ubuntu: Skype Download for Ubuntu
  2. When download is finished, go to the download folder where you downloaded Sype.
  3. Right click on the Skype-package you downloaded and click on open with ubuntu software centerenter image description here
  4. After that this window should open: enter image description here
  5. Now press on install, located in the right corner, and wait until the installation is complete.
5
  • Thanks to all for the input, but it just don't want to work
    – Jovan
    May 15, 2013 at 20:01
  • 3
    Try this: sudo apt-get -f install skype
    – Meintjes
    May 16, 2013 at 7:38
  • the versions in the software channel are in my experience more robust. Aug 8, 2013 at 15:00
  • For Ubuntu one can download only precise or lucid compatible Skype... Sep 10, 2013 at 17:20
  • it is helpful... Mar 31, 2014 at 6:30
5

it looks like skype is not in the standard repositories anymore, and also not in the software center. I also had no luck with the downloaded version.

This is what did work: go to settings -> software and updates. now under the 'Other software' tab check the 'canonical partners' sources. after this I did a sudo apt-get update and than sudo apt-get install skype

1
  • Same all same all
    – Jovan
    May 15, 2013 at 20:02
1

egh, finally skype got update! (bellow is how to manually update skype)

sudo apt-get remove skype

then

sudo apt-get update

then

sudo apt-get install skype

Enjoy Skype on Ubuntu ^-^

In case sudo apt-get install skype does not work or gives you an error even though you ran: sudo apt-get update, then go to http://skype.com and download it from there.

0

Don't have enough reputation to give a comment but upvoted user172139's answer since that's the solution that fixed the problem described (same problem I had:

Change the download server in the Ubuntu Software Center > Software Sources from your country (I'm currently in Serbia, but had this problem as well when I lived in Denmark) to the Main Server.

When doing sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade after this I had bunch of previously unavailable updates and sudo apt-get install skype worked like a charm. Now I have Skype installed and working fine!

0

Easiest way is to enable Partners software source in Software Center. Then just apt-get update then apt-get install skype. Works like expected to work. Regards.

0

Note: Skype is presently a 32-bit linux application (as of 2014). Thus to get skype 32-bit to install on 64-bit ubuntu you may need to type the following first:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt-get update

THEN TYPE:

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install skype
1
  • The method you gave is obsolete.
    – enedil
    Aug 19, 2014 at 0:00
0
sudo apt install skypeforlinux

Run this to install Skype for Linux Alpha.

This is the new version of Skype for Linux, a brand new client using WebRTC, the launch of which ensures Microsoft can continue to support Linux users in the years to come.

As you may have guessed by the name, Skype for Linux Alpha is not a fully functioning Skype client as of yet. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll notice that it’s very different to the Skype for Linux client you use today. For example, you’ll be using the latest, fastest and most responsive Skype UI, so you can share files, photos, videos and a whole new range of new emoticons with your friends.

Basically Microsoft has put Skype into a web renderer and released it like an application. Just like Ghetto Skype but coming officially from Microsoft.

Cons

  • Video calls do not work and you have to initiate the audio call (if they call you, it wants you to install plugin).
-2

Had same problem after I have switched to Ubuntu. To solve this, go to "software and updates" and then, on Ubuntu Software tab, change "Download from: #your country# (guess its my region/country)" and change it to "Main Server". Run "apt-get upgrade" and "apt-get update". After "that apt-get install skype" and it should be just fine.

Hope this will solve it.

Regards,

1
  • 1
    The servers have the same content regardless of location. The issue is in enabling the partner repository.
    – papukaija
    Jul 3, 2013 at 0:23
-2

Guyz,

TRY this, installed in my machine thorugh this command

sudo apt-get -f install skype

1
  • 2
    @guntbert apt-get -f install skype does not "force install". I think what you're referring to is --force-yes. The option mentioned in the answer basically tells Ubuntu that "skype is the package that will fix the dependency issues". But it's a wrong answer though, because skype is the package we're trying to install in the first place.
    – Alaa Ali
    Sep 16, 2013 at 16:24

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