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Skype for Android problems and solutions

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© nextpit

Skype is a wonderful app when it behaves, but like any complex service it can suffer from the odd problem, outage or unsquashed bug. Here are some of the most common Skype for Android problems and solutions to fix them.

skypeandroid
Like any app, Skype for Android can encounter problems. / © ANDROIDPIT

Skype for Android problem: the sound quality becomes terrible when holding the phone to your ear

This can be a problem with the proximity sensor. Skype support suggests leaving the call screen – the proximity sensor is only used when that screen is the focus – or using 3G instead of Wi-Fi for voice calls. Alternatively, plug in a headset.

Skype for Android problem: insufficient available space during installation

This is due to a bug in Android that doesn’t always clean up files after an installation. Rebooting and retrying the installation might help; if not, Skype suggests a factory reset.

androidpit skype app profile 2
Which Skype version you can use depends on what device and which Android version you have. / © ANDROIDPIT

Skype for Android problem: I want to use more than one account

No problem, Skype lets you do that. You’ll need to go into the app settings and uncheck the box for automatic sign in. Next time you launch the app you can sign in with whichever account you want to use.

Skype for Android problem: no notifications

Have you turned them off by accident or unchecked 'new instant messages' in Skype’s settings? Check your device’s settings too: it’s possible you’ve unchecked notifications system-wide, which would overrule Skype’s own notification settings.

Skype for Android problem: call quality is rubbish

Whether it’s voice or video, Skype recommends that for the very best call quality, you should connect to a strong Wi-Fi signal and close any apps you don’t need: the more apps accessing your data connection, the poorer the call quality is likely to be.

phone call
Poor call quality? This probably won't help. / © Sergey Nivens / shutterstock 

Skype for Android problem: video calls are using up all your data

In the Skype app, go to the menu icon, scroll down to the bottom of your profile page and tap on Settings. Look for Voice and Video Calls and then tap on Video Quality. If you’re using video at the best quality settings, it’s using lots of data every time you make a call. Set the video quality lower and it will use less data.

Skype for Android problem: “you cannot be signed in at this time”

Are you using an old version of the Skype app? The above message tends to pop up when you attempt to connect using a version of the app that the Skype service no longer supports. If you’re using the latest version, it might be a good idea to uninstall it, restart your device and reinstall it again.

IMGL8473
If this is as far as you're getting, try restarting your device and reinstalling the app. / © ANDROIDPIT

Skype for Android problem: can’t use personalized ringtones

Sadly there isn’t a solution for this one. Skype for Android doesn’t support personalized ringtones.

Skype for Android problem: you can’t get the latest version or use all the features

Although the system requirements for Skype are fairly modest – Android 2.3 or later and 27 MB of hard disk space – there are other requirements for certain versions of Skype. For example, if you want to use Skype 5 or later, you’ll need Android 4.0 or later. There are processor requirements too: video calling isn’t supported on ARMv6 processors, which power devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Ace and HTC Wildfire.

Skype 5 0 android
Skype supports Android as far back as 2.3, but the most recent versions need more recent Androids. / © Skype

Skype for Android problem: app scrolls for no reason

Some users with long group conversations have found that whenever they open the conversation, the app starts scrolling for no apparent reason. It’s an update issue: Skype downloads the full thread (or the last 30 days, if it’s been going on for ages), and the crazy scrolling occurs while it’s still updating. Connect to Wi-Fi, let it update for half an hour or so, and the problem should go away.

Skype for Android problem: can’t login with a Facebook account

If you created a Skype account using your Facebook login on a PC or Mac, you might be wondering where the option to login with Facebook is on the Android app. That's because there isn’t such an option: the app will only accept a Skype account or a Microsoft account. To get around this you’ll need to unlink your Facebook account, create a Skype account and then link your Facebook account to that. You’ll also need to add your Facebook friends as Skype contacts, because your Facebook friends list won’t appear in the Android app.

AndroidPIT Skype interface
It's a bit Microsoft-y, isn't it? / © ANDROIDPIT

Skype for Android problem: it doesn’t use Material Design

“This is definitely something that's on our radar,” says Skype for Android product manager Ben P. “Stay tuned!”

Have you encountered – and better still, solved – a Skype problem we haven’t detailed here? Let us know in the comments below.

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Gary Marshall

Gary Marshall
Freelance writer

Former lion tamer, Girls Aloud backing dancer and habitual liar Gary Marshall has been writing about technology since Google was two guys in a garage. He's written for many fine magazines, newspapers and websites, written a range of how-to-books and a novel, co-written a BBC documentary series and dishes out weekly tech advice on BBC Radio Scotland.

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8 comments
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  • 1
    Evril Feb 11, 2017 Link to comment

    After I updated from Lollipop to Marshmallow (Motorola) my Skype volume turned permanently really loud, even on the lowest setting (the highest setting is earbreaking and downright painful). Tried updating and reinstalling and nothing works


  • 1
    Bill in Php Oct 6, 2016 Link to comment

    Why does Skype cause my Galaxy Tan 4 screen to flicker or oscillate when I have more than 1 active contact on IM. Touching the "back" on tablet makes it normal again but only until I switch contacts for IM. Only the first contact in the list remains stable. Happens since 2 upgrades ago.


  • steve 16
    steve Sep 26, 2016 Link to comment

    Just download the latest version and it'll be OK.

    Deactivated Account


  • Vacheh Sahakian 1
    Vacheh Sahakian Mar 16, 2016 Link to comment

    Thank you for the great article
    But I would like to present you new VoIp software which is Zangi.Zangi provides a unique set of tools to easily build unified communications applications and management solutions.
    The main advantages of our solution are:
    1) The best quality of audio and video calls. Zangi provides clear HD calls with revolutionary 720p high-quality video resolution. Color saturation and voice sound are natural and close to reality.
    2) Bandwidth usage. Our solution works with ultra-low internet speed. For audio calls needs internet speed from 8Kbps. And video calls works on 2G/EDGE networks.
    3) High level security. End-to-end security with minimum impact on application performance. The system implements a multi-layer security data transport.
    4) Instant messaging with file and location sharing and sticker market.
    5) Fast and easy integration with your system.


  • Arlene Vives 2
    Arlene Vives Jan 31, 2016 Link to comment

    I just bought an LG V10 and I can see 5and hear my caller, but my caller can only hear me! It's frustraiting!


  • 1
    Ravinder Patil Oct 2, 2015 Link to comment

    A teacher for learning Japanese on Skype online provided by preply...

    Japaneses as a second language is a nice choice to be learned..

    Great tutor available and provided me nice sessions for Japanese learning courses over Skype and learned a lot from him resulting in improved Japanese language...

    The program available on Skype is completely good for improving and learning Japanese language...

    Must try this here to learn английский по skype... preply. com/en/japanese-by-skype


  • 1
    Jasmine B Sep 21, 2015 Link to comment

    Since the update, I can't seem to see new messages from certain conversations, even though I am getting notifications. I just scroll down and the conversation resets to an older point.


  • Rajeevan A. 12
    Rajeevan A. Sep 21, 2015 Link to comment

    Skype refuses to move to SD card though it is intended to - according to the phones settings via application manager...Any idea..? Suggestion? Whats wrong?

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