Okay, you’ve got your computer turned on and connected to the internet. You’ve downloaded Skype and set up your account. You’ve plugged in a webcam or got yourself a headset (or maybe both!). So how do you actually call someone on Skype? Worry no more, because here’s the guide you’ve been looking for!
On skype I can see myself but can't see other person. Other person can see themselves and me, so it's not their camera. On a skype-to-skype call I can receive video but my video is not received by the other person, even though my Logitech camera is on and I can see myself. The Expert answered my Mac question and was patient.
You’ll need:
- a Skype account and the Skype program installed on your computer
- speakers and a microphone – many computers have these built in (especially laptops), many webcams also come with a microphone and you can also use a headphones-and-microphone headset that can be bought quite cheaply
- a webcam – this is optional (you can communicate just by text or voice if you want) but video calling is one of the most popular features of Skype
- at least one Skype contact logged in – after all, you’ll need someone to talk to!
This guide is specifically for Windows computers, but Skype is also available for Apple Macs.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make a Skype call
Step 1: Logging in
Make sure you’re logged into Skype and that the main window is open. Login using your username and password this will then open Skype.
Step 2: Making a call with a contact
Click Contacts on the left-hand side and then double click the name of the friend you want to call.
Your friend’s profile now appears in a new window.
Next to their picture (if your friend has included one) is a series of buttons. Here’s what they do:
- Video call – Start talking to your friend face to face through your webcam.
- Call phone – If you want to call your friend, press this button to make what amounts to a normal phone call to your friend to a phone number you’ve attached to your Skype account (you’ll need to pay for this see our guide to buying Skype credit for how to do this). Or if you just want to call someone without using video, click on the arrow next to Call Phone and choose Call Skype.
- (Plus sign) Add participants, send files, and more – Clicking on the plus sign brings up a new list of options:
- You can call multiple people at the same time, making it a conference call. When the conference window appears, click on each of your friends to select them and click on add to include them in the call. The next window will show the friends added. You can then either do a video call or a standard call without video.
- You can also send a friend files from your computer by clicking on the icons in the chat window. The first icon will allow you to send an image and the second a document. In the Windows 10 version of Skype you can also send a video message to friends and family. The file will be sent immediately or as soon as your friend comes online.
- You can also send contacts to a friend
- It is also possible to share screens. Whilst you are on a call, this gives your friend the ability to see something on your screen, or for someone to remotely access your computer screen (this can sometimes be useful for a friend or family to resolve any problems that you might have by being able to control your computer remotely). To do this click on Call and then Share screens.
Learn about Call Quality – This allows you to make sure that every component required to use Skype is working well enough for good-quality calls.
Step 3: Making a call on Skype
Click the Video call button. (Note: The following procedure is the same if you click the ‘Call’ button – the only difference is that your friend will see only your profile picture, not you in the flesh on your webcam.). You’ll hear a ringing sound (like a telephone) while Skype attempts to get in touch with your friend’s computer. The window now shows your friend’s profile picture.
Below this, in a smaller box, is the view from your own webcam. While you wait for your call to be connected, you can use this box as a ‘mirror’ to make yourself look presentable. You can also move it to anywhere in the window by clicking and dragging it. Or you can click the small down arrow on the picture to get rid of it completely, but remember that your friend will still be able to see it – and you!
Step 4: Missed calls and video calling on Skype
Assuming that your friend picks up, they (or whatever they have their webcam pointing at!) should now appear on your computer screen as a ‘video stream’. Feel free to natter away to your heart’s content. Your own video showing what the other person will see will appear as a small square in the bottom right corner.
If your call is not answered you will get a notification on your call screen letting you know. From this window, you can also retry the call.
There are also some controls at the bottom of the screen that you should know about. From left to right, these are:
- Hide/Show IM (small speech bubble icon) – Displays ‘instant messaging’ (chat) controls and text messages at the bottom of the screen (see link to instructions about this below). Click the icon again to get rid of them.
- Turn off video (videocam icon) – Clicking this will turn off your video stream, which means that your friend will be able to hear your voice but won’t be able to see you. When it’s turned off, a red line goes through it. Click it again to restart broadcasting video.
- Mute your microphone (microphone icon) – This works just like ‘Turn off video’ except that it stops your friend from hearing you. It’s very useful if you want to keep a conversation in your ‘real’ life private.
- Add participants, send files, and more (plus sign icon) – This button brings up a small menu that lets you send files or contacts to your friend or add more people to the call.
- End call (red handset icon) – Clicking this allows you to ‘hang up’ and end your call.
- Call quality information (volume icon) – Here you’ll find a host of info that lets you know exactly how every part of Skype is running and helps you locate any problems. Since it’s to do with the strength of your broadband connection, it looks like a mobile phone reception bar.
- Full Screen option for this call (screen with arrows icon) – This allows you to expand the window into full screen.
Step 5: Ending the call
Once you’re finished talking to your friend or just gazing longingly into each other’s eyes, you can hang up by clicking on the red handset icon (End call). Your call and conversation history will be saved.
Step 6: Answering a call
If you want to answer a call you will see a call alert on your screen.
To answer the call click on Answer, to video call click on Answer with video, if you don't want to answer the call then click on Decline.
More resources:
We have lots of other Skype guides, click on the next steps links below.
How to find Skype contacts
How to use FaceTime on iPhone and iPad
How to use FaceTime on iPhone and iPad
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One the of Mac's hallmarks is its reputation for hardware reliability, so when you're trying to make Skype calls and your webcam doesn't want to take part, you might be taken off guard. The problem could be as simple as another program refusing to relinquish control of the webcam or as severe as an operating system incompatibility. Many third-party webcams are designed for Windows systems with Mac OS X as an afterthought.
Another Program Is Using the Camera
Programs do not like to cooperate with each other when more than one is trying to use the webcam at a given time. If the webcam was working in another program earlier and now won't run in Skype, it may be because the other program is still using the webcam. You can troubleshoot cross-program use by closing all other programs that could be using the webcam and restarting Skype; restart the Mac if that doesn't work.
Update the Skype Program
![Skype for mac how do i see my own picture in video call android Skype for mac how do i see my own picture in video call android](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126280288/328583978.jpg)
Updating the Skype program to the latest version for all callers may resolve compatibility problems with the webcam. If you or the person you are trying to call is using Skype version 2.8 or earlier and the other person is using version 6.2 or later, you will not be able to use video. Skype version 6.2 discontinues compatibility with version 2.8 and earlier. While Skype may work with older versions, Skype lists using the latest version as a requirement for video calling. Additionally, updating Skype can also resolve rarely occurring issues with a bad or corrupted program installation.
Test the Webcam
Testing the webcam can rule out incompatibility and configuration issues. You can test the webcam within Skype's menu bar by selecting 'Skype,' 'Preferences' and 'Audio/Video.' If you have more than one webcam connected to the Mac, select the one you want to use from the 'Camera' drop-down menu. The webcam works if you can see the preview feed. You can isolate the problem to Skype specifically by testing the webcam in another program like FaceTime, Photo Booth or iMovie.
Incorrectly Installed Camera
The webcam will not work with Skype on a Mac if it is not correctly installed. Try reconnecting the physical connector and rebooting the system with external webcams to rule out connection issues. Install the most recent drivers or software for your specific webcam if the manufacturer makes them. If the manufacturer doesn't support the Mac platform, try installing a third-party driver like Macam or USB WebCam Driver.
Camera Incompatibility Issues
According to Skype, most Mac-compatible webcams work with Skype, but some older models may have problems. Skype recommends using a Skype certified webcam to guarantee compatibility. Unless the webcam is Universal Video Class compliant, it is not guaranteed to work on Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later systems with Apple's generic webcam software. Additionally, the webcam may have limited functionality when running on UVC instead of a proprietary driver.
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About the Author
Dan Stone started writing professionally in 2006, specializing in education, technology and music. He is a web developer for a communications company and previously worked in television. Stone received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in communication studies from Northern Illinois University.
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Stone, Dan. 'My Skype Camera Is Not Working on a Mac.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/skype-camera-not-working-mac-81681.html. Accessed 15 December 2019.
Stone, Dan. (n.d.). My Skype Camera Is Not Working on a Mac. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/skype-camera-not-working-mac-81681.html
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