After you typed and entered “Skype” in the search box, the Skype app was the first in the list. Skype Appīefore the list of extensions is a list of Chrome apps available in the Chrome Web Store. Click on the Skype extension icon, then select “Launch Skype.” A Skype sign-in window will appear on your screen so you can log in. Now the Skype extension is added to your Chrome Browser on the upper right-hand side with your other extensions.
You can find more information, installation steps and download links at the link below. While it is unlikely that Microsoft will sue anyone for this approach, they’re unlikely to be thrilled by it.
To use it you’ll need both the ARChon Custom Runtime from GitHub and the ‘Skype for ChromeOS’ extension, both installed as unpacked extensions.Īs we’re fond of reiterating: there are potential legal implications involved in the modification and redistribution of Android apps without explicit permission of the copyright holder(s). Seb’s workaround is not supported by Microsoft, Google or the Chromium development team. Until Microsoft decide otherwise this app is the closest we’re going to get. Certainly easier than bullying relatives into using something new, or giving over half of an already small SSD to a Linux distribution. While it remains a far from flawless solution - it crashes, call connection is temperamental when it connects and there’s a performance hit - it is a solution. Too much hard work? A user by the handle of ‘SebDroid’ has (unofficially) converted the Skype app for Chrome OS and made it available for download.
If you have Skype for Android installed on your phone or tablet you can use the Chrome APK Packager to bundle the Skype for Android app into a compatible Chrome format. That makes Skype for Android for Chrome a tempting stopgap. The problem is that getting people - i.e., those familiar with Skype - to use it is hard. It has a feature set that more than matches that of Skype. Hangouts is available on all platforms, with official mobile apps and plugins available. This is the oft-mentioned ‘Skype alternative’ for Chrome users, and not without merit. Let’s address the green elephant in the room: Google Hangouts. The release of a modified version of this extension - Archon - allows for virtually any Android app to be run through Chrome, and that includes Skype. Officially, Google has thus far brought over 4 Android apps to Chrome OS, all running through the Android Runtime for Chrome. The reticent “ sadly not” has been traded for a caveated ‘…ish’. The recent arrival of Android Apps on Chrome OS - both officially and unofficially - changes the answer one used to have to give to those asking. Enter Android Apps for Chrome Skype for Android…in Chrome It’s become an indispensable part of many day-to-day workflows, be it checking in on loved ones or having a business meeting.īut for Chromebook owners accessing the voice and video calling features of Skype is not officially possible. Popularity breeds dependence, and for Microsoft’s video, voice and messaging service that’s doubly so. If you told me to count the number of times I’m asked whether Skype can run on a Chromebook I’d fast run out of fingers, toes and other body parts - but a solution is (sort of) in sight.