What can I do during a Skype call?

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    During a call you can:

    • microphone button Turn your microphone on or off. 
    • Video call button Turn your video on or off. 
    • mobile swap camera button Switch your camera from front to back (mobile video calls only).
    • Merge calls Merge your current and incoming call (not available in Skype for Web).
    • Raise hand button Raise or lower your hand in group calls, giving the group notice you have something to add without interrupting.
    • participants list button View the participants list in a group call.
    • end call button End your call from the call controls or from the ongoing call in your Recent chats.

    Note: During a mobile Skype call, some call controls might be hidden, simply tap your screen to make them visible.
     

    Depending on your platform or device, there may be additional features available during your Skype call.

    • chat button Go back to your chat during the call.
      • Tap the call button to return to the call screen.
    •  Grid view button Switch from Grid view to Speaker view
    • Speaker button Turn speaker on or off during the call.

    To see more options, tap the more more menu button:

    • iOS blur background Blur my background.
    • Video call button Allow incoming video, switch on or off.
    • Subtitles button Switch subtitles on or off.
    • add people button Add people to your call. 
    • snapshot button Take a snapshot of your call and share with your friend.
    • mobile call recording button Record your Skype call.
    • reactions button Send a reaction during your call.
    • share screen button Share your screen during the call. 
    • Raise hand button Raise or lower your hand in a group call.

    See who you want to see (video calls only). Switch between you, or your friends' video feed. Tap and hold on any participant in the call and drag them to the main calling window.

    End the call when you want to. From the top of your ongoing call select the chat button chats button > then the back arrow > then select end call from your Recent chats list. You’ll also see how long you’ve been on the call.

    Note: You can also end a call on your iPad simply by closing the cover.

    Chat with someone 1:1 from a group call. During a group call, tap and hold on the participant and select Send message.

    Mute or Remove from call (group calls only). Tap and hold on any participant in the call, and then select mute or remove from call. If you mute or remove someone, they will receive a notification of Another participant muted your microphone or You have been removed from the call by another participant.
     

     

    • Grid view button Switch views
      • 3x3 Grid view (only available in Skype for Windows, Mac, and Linux).
      • Grid view.
      • Speaker view.
    • microphone button Select the arrow next to the microphone to bring up additional audio options:
      • Select a different microphone device if you have one connected.
      • Turn noise cancellation on or off.
      • Select a different speaker if you have one connected. This will also enable your speaker phone option.
    • Video call button  Select the arrow next to the video button to bring up additional video options:
      • Select a different camera if you have one connected.
      • Select Choose background effect. This will allow you to make yourself the priority and blur or change your background in a video call. (Not supported in Linux)
      • Select Webcam settings if you would like to make any adjustments there.
    • add people button Add people to your call. 
    • chat button Open your chat during the call.
      • Add-in button Share Contacts, Location, and other add-ins.
      • Expand Open the chat window in full screen.
        • Select the Return to call button to return to the full screen call view.
    • Raise hand button Raise or lower your hand in group calls.
      • Raise Hand during a call and the group will receive a notice that you raised your hand.
      • After you've been acknowledged or if you change your mind about speaking, select Lower Hand.
      • In moderated groups, the moderator can lower participants' hands.
    • share screen button Share your screen during the call.
    • reactions button Send a reaction during your call.
    • more menu during a call More options, to Start recordingTake snapshotTurn subtitles on, Turn off incoming videoHold call, go to Audio and Video settings or if you can, Choose background effects (not available in Skype for Web) during a video call.

    See who you want to see (video calls only). Switch between you, or your friends' video feed by selecting any participant in the call and dragging them to the main calling window.

    End the call when you want to. Select Open recent chats button Open recent chats to end the call from your ongoing call in your Recent chats as well as see how long you’ve been on the call.


    Resize your video preview. During a video call, hover your mouse over your video preview and use Expand expand to make it bigger or smaller.


    Pin/unpin yourself or others from the call screen. From a call, select the three dots next to the name and then select Pin. You will know you are pinned if you have a Pin button in Skype pin next to your name.


    Switch between cameras (video calls only). During a video call, right-click on your avatar to select a different camera. 

    Chat with someone 1:1 from a group call. During a group call, right-click on the participant and select Send message.

    Mute or Remove from call (group calls only). Hover over any participant in the call, and then select the down chevron next to their name to mute or remove them from the call. If you mute or remove someone, they will receive a notification of Another participant muted your microphone or You have been removed from the call by another participant.

    Zoom in on call screen. When on a call where someone is sharing their screen, participants can use the zoom button in Skype zoom button to zoom in up to 300%. Click and drag to move the zoomed in screen. 


    Ready to learn more?
    How do I make a call in Skype?
    How do I answer a call in Skype?