What happened to online indicators in new Skype 8.1.0?

I am utterly disappointed in the new update.

My reasons for using Skype used to be because it was the only chat app that allowed me sufficient privacy.

With all other apps such as Facebook messenger, Line, WhatsApp, WeChat for example, people can see whether you are online, when you were online last, and see whether you have read the message.

This has caused many conflicts among people; that somebody doesn't read or reply immediately even if they are online, does NOT mean they are being rude. And yet it causes many self-consciousness and unnecessary worries among people. We all know why it is not always possible to instant reply.

All the less is there any reason for somebody to know when I was online last; if I wanted them to know, I could tell them by sending them a message! I have Skype installed on both my smartphone and my laptop, and usually it is no problem. But since there is no option now to stay 'invisible' on the smartphone version, my desktop version jumps into 'online' status every time I check my phone. That is incredibly annoying!

The new update does have some nice touches such as the colours, but otherwise one message now takes up a lot of space on a smartphone screen, making it harder to get an overview of the messages; plus, the loading becomes a bit slower due to the excessive fanciness. My phone is a brand-new one, so it is fine, but I can imagine how this updated version can be a bit heavy for older models.

Still my point remains that the lack of respect for privacy is the biggest problem for the new Skype; PLEASE give users an option to remain invisible, and PLEASE do not even think about adding a 'read' sign at any point in future; we all need privacy! The replying or not to messages is the responsibility of the users; not the company's!

Good points, Angela.  I work in an IT department and rely on that status indicator.  I don't want users Skype-ing me thinking I am online and will respond.  If I am out of the office or on vacation, I set it for Offline and log out.  Now, I can't do either.  I don't want the users thinking I am in the office and then don't get a response.  They will run to their managers in a heartbeat complaining that they didn't get a response.

I have uninstalled this version from my iPhone.  This is typical Microsoft not thinking about what the users want / need.  This is what they are going to shove down our throats and expect us to take it.  Didn't they learn that with Windows 8?

And they will ignore these complaints and expect us to just accept it.

this update for IOs is a COMPLETE FAIL!!!

I have "contacts" whom I never entered. 

Cannot find the contacts I DID have before.

Cannot delete or alter any of the new "features"

Cannot find the "status" feature, etc.

AND - OF COURSE - the "live chat" disappeared, too!

Microsoft's RAMROD FEATURES are near criminal invasion of privacy IMO

It looks like a lot of others may have this problem as well.

There are some weird changes that occur to the circular icon at the top of the screen periodically; perhaps those give some idea of connection status?  The stupid "tutorial" video and screens are just dumb and useless.  Sigh.

Online status can you only see if you tab into you friends and open under the profil images you have there online status. 

And for change online status up tap at the profil images up right corner you have settings  and a bell icon for change online status. 

Neither of these answers apply to Skype for iPhone 8.1.

In previous versions, you could see a contact's status without having to open each one. 

The Skype for iPhone 8.1 does not have the Settings icon or Bell icon that you mentioned.

One additional item that appears to be missing is the ability to Delete or only Hide a conversation.  There is only the option of Delete.

Does anyone know why it keeps telling me to complete tutorial and why there is a circle under my picture with a red line?