Hello, Skype community! We hope you're all enjoying the latest updates to Skype version 8 for desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. We wanted to share a few more details on the ongoing update to Skype version 8 to keep you up to speed on the latest info.
Why update everyone to Skype version 8?
The update from version 7 to version 8 allows us to unify the experience of using Skype across all desktop and mobile platforms. Unlike older versions, all version 8 applications are optimized to work in conjunction with our modern, mobile-friendly cloud services architecture, which has allowed us to deliver features such as video messaging and mobile group video calling over the past couple years. With a unified experience and with all applications now no longer having to support legacy architecture, our engineering teams can deliver features and quality improvements to customers much more quickly.
What can you expect over the next several months?
- We're sending an email to people still using older Skype versions so they know the update is coming. We published a blog post and have communicated the change in this forum, but we want to be sure everyone who might be impacted by this change is well-informed. We expect everyone who might be impacted to receive an email notification by the end of October.
- Then we'll start requiring people to update to Skype version 8 in waves over the next several months. Not everyone will be required to update at once.
- Desktop: First wave begins on 11/1/2018
- Mobile devices and tablets: First wave begins on 11/15/2018
- We strongly recommend you update now, prior to being required to do so, to avoid any interruption in service. Find out how to download the latest Skype versions here.
- Skype version 14 is available for Windows 10 PCs in the Microsoft Store for Skype Insiders. It is based on version 8, but has additional features to better integrate with the platform. You can run version 8 for desktop and version 14 for Windows 10 PCs at the same time on your PC. We'll keep releasing updates to version 14 as we update version 8.
- We'll continue to update Skype version 8 and version 14 based on your feedback and communicate what's changing as we go.
Your feedback on the update to Skype version 8
Many of you have taken the time to share your thoughts on this update. Thank you. We appreciate it! We learned how important it is to you to maintain feature parity with older Skype versions and we're working towards that goal. Here's a few examples of features we've already brought back based on your feedback and a few more we're going to work on next.
| Working on these now | These are next | |
| Fundamentals | Performance improvements Keyboard shortcuts guide Show Skype version on sign-in screen |
Even more performance improvements Resizable left pane on desktop Swipe actions on mobile |
| Calling | Setting for a secondary ringing device Advanced webcam settings Separate Skype volume control on Mac Setting for incoming call notifications when in Do Not Disturb mode |
Indicator for who's talking in large calls Easier switch between cameras Select which app or window to share when screensharing |
| Messaging | Find within current conversation Setting to change font size on desktop Share a Skype contact Global conversation search shows more than 20 results Customize “Enter” or "Return" to send message or add a line Save-as for audio files like mp3 Hide conversations in chat list Setting to disable link previews |
Find in current conversation shows more than 30 results Skype SMS Connect |
| Contacts/people | Setting for allowing Skype to Skype calls only from contacts Improved availability status Add phone number as a contact Global people search shows more than 20 results |
Add phone number to an existing contact More control over availability status Setting for allowing calls to your Skype Number only from contacts Address book sync on Mac |
| Store app for Windows 10 PC | Improve copy-paste to dialpad App icon in system tray |
Split view |
Contributing to the Skype community
Have feedback of your own to share? New to the Skype community? There are many places where you can tell us what you think about using Skype! Join the community wherever you're most comfortable and we'll be there.
Reporting problems in Skype
If you need to report a problem and are a Skype Insider using a preview build of Skype, you can submit in the app using the Skype Support Bot to easily submit screenshots and logs for the problem you're experiencing. Use this option when Skype isn't behaving to help us investigate.
Giving feedback in Skype
You can provide feedback on using Skype within the app in the "Help and feedback" section of Settings. Use this to tell us what we should build next.
Surveys in Skype
From time to time, you'll be prompted to provide more information on the Skype experience within Skype. This information is shared with the Skype engineering squads as they prioritize work on their backlogs.
Ratings and reviews in the app stores
This information is retrieved on a regular basis and reported out to the Skype engineering squads to ensure we're trending upwards and to understand what is top of mind for you. You can expect a response from us only when we need more information about a problem you've reported.
Windows Feedback Hub
This is the best place to go if you can consistently reproduce a problem using Skype on Windows 10. It supplies Skype engineers with rich information which makes investigating your problem easier. Be sure to check out the "Recreate my problem" option in the "Additional details" section when submitting your feedback in this app.
This site was created recently to ensure everyone can share ideas on how to improve Skype regardless of which platform you use. As we release updates to the Skype experience, we'll update the submissions on this site to keep you informed. Register today and join the discussion.
Skype Community Forum on Answers
Visit this site to get technical support from support agents or participate in discussions with the Skype engineering team. This is where we post the most detailed information about new experiences as they are released to Skype Insiders and then to others within the Skype community.
Follow @SkypeInsider for all the latest info on new features coming to Skype. Tweet at us if you see anything broken in newly released updates or want to share ideas you have for improving Skype.
Detailed feedback on what you love or hate about Skype is always appreciated. Personal insults or threatening comments are not. As we work together to shape Skype's future, the Skype customer success squad is going to spend more time moderating our feedback channels to ensure they are a positive environment for everyone.
Thank you for supporting Skype.
