Skype is a proprietary communication software that provides video chat and voice call services. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, including Debian Linux.

Skype is important in Debian Linux because it allows users to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues using video and voice calls, even in different parts of the world. It is also widely used for business and professional communication, as it allows for easy and convenient remote meetings and collaborations. Additionally, Skype is available on a wide range of devices, making it easy for users to communicate on the go.

This post will guide you on multiple methods to install Skype on Debian Linux. 

Approach#1: How to Install Skype on Debian Using .deb Package File?

The Debian package file of skype is available on the official website and can be installed on the Debian system using the following steps. 

Step 1: Download the .deb Package of Skype

Download the latest Skype for Linux from the official Skype website: https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/

It can be downloaded from the terminal using the wget utility in the following manner. 

$ wget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.deb

Step 2: Install Skype

Navigate to the directory where the Skype package is downloaded and run the command ‘sudo apt install ./<filename>.deb’. In our case, the file is named “skypeforlinux-64” and is installed as.

$ sudo apt install ./skypeforlinux-64.deb

You can also use the dpkg to install it; the syntax to do so is “sudo dpkg -i <packagename>.deb”. 

Note: If you get any dependency-related error, it is suggested to run the following command to get rid of it: 

$ sudo apt -f install

Launch Skype on Debian 

After the successful installation of Skype on your Debian system, you can launch it from the terminal, using the command. 

$ skypeforlinux

Then skype is launched; if you want to launch it from the GUI of the Debian system, then search it in the applications menu, and you will get it as shown in the following image. 

Approach #2: How to Install Skype on Debian Using Snap?

The snap packages support is enabled in Debian 10 and the later versions of it. You just need to open the terminal and run the command to install Skype on Linux. 

$ sudo snap install skype 

Once installed, it can be launched from the terminal.

$ skypeforlinux

How to Remove Skype From Debian?

The removal of Skype on Debian depends on the installation method followed. This section enlists all those possible methods. 

Remove the Debian Package of Skype

If the application is installed using the apt command  (as in approach 1), it can be removed alongside its dependencies in the following way. 

$ sudo apt autoremove skypeforlinux

Remove the Snap Package of Skype

If Skype is installed through the snap package, it can be removed using the command provided below. 

$ sudo snap remove skype

Conclusion

Skype is the modern and the most used professional communication application for Debian and other Linux distributions. Skype can be installed from the Debian package on the official website and the snap store. In this post, we have explained both methods to install Skype on Debian Linux.