Improvements to Skype mobile for DROID and BlackBerry phones on Verizon Wireless
We’ve updated our app for DROID and BlackBerry phones on Verizon Wireless with a number of improvements, including:
- Incoming caller ID, so you’ll be able to see your Skype contacts’ names when they call you
- Copy and paste support in IM conversations
- Emoticon support in IM conversations
- You can now see country names and flags when dialling international numbers
- You can automatically set your location as your mood message
On DROID phones, you can now use the app while WiFi is switched on, which will make the app more convenient to use. Note that calls and IMs are still carried over the Verizon Wireless network.
To get the update, just visit www.skype.com/m from your device to download it.
The Skype mobile app for Verizon Wireless lets you make free calls* to friends and family on Skype, great value calls to landlines and mobile phones overseas, and send IMs to people on Skype anywhere in the world. Our friends at Verizon Wireless have made this video which explains how it all works.
Here’s how charging works:
Skype-to-Skype calls, to or from your mobile, computer or TV
These calls are completely free*. They don’t count towards your Verizon Wireless minutes allowance.
Calls to another mobile number or landline number in the US
These calls count towards your Verizon Wireless minutes.
Calls to an international mobile number or landline number
These calls are great value – pay for these using Skype Credit or one of our subscriptions. For example, you can make unlimited calls† to landlines in Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey for just $6.99 per month.
All calls run on the largest and most reliable wireless network in the US, which helps to make sure that call quality is top-notch, and lets you use your favorite accessories, including Bluetooth headsets.
Additionally, as the app runs in the background, you’ll never miss a call.
Don’t forget that Skype mobile is also available on the LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch and Samsung Reality on Verizon Wireless – find out more.
* You'll need a data plan in order to use Skype mobile on your Verizon Wireless phone.
† A fair use policy applies to unlimited subscriptions.
I have a Motorola Droid X on Verizon Wireless in the USA. There is no update shown for the Skype app in the Android Marketplace. And when I go to http://www.skype.com/m from the browser on my phone, it says, “Sorry, Skype is unavailable for your mobile.” How can I get this update?
@mgraczyk think I’ve reached you on Facebook already, but in any case, Verizon Wireless support should be able to help you out with this
Since I use Skype Mobile primarily for IM, this is a good update – but why does it not use the same auto-capitalization, punctuation and correction that the SMS and Google Talk apps do? Also, the old app would become inactive and stop receiving IMs very quickly… I haven’t been using this one long enough to tell if that is still a problem.
Are you serious about still not being able to route skype calls over WiFi on my Verizon Smartphone? Let me repeat the description of the consumer you’re leaving out to dry: I am outside of the United States where long distance calls are quite expensive and the Verizon International plans are a rip-off. The only logical way to communicate is by utilizing the W-I-F-I provided in the hotel, restaurant, etc. I would like to place a call on a highly advanced piece of equipment that I’ve grown to know and love….my smartphone, but wait, unless it’s iPhone or Symbian based smartphone, I can’t use skype to place that call.
Thanks for nothing Skype.
Why only for one Android model for one carrier? What about the rest of us?
It does not appear as an UPGRADE in the maketplace. Just find the new version and install it – your phone will see it as an upgrade and replace the prior version with the new one. I’ve been using it since yesterday. The WIFI part is cool. The Caller ID did not work on the 2 calls I received. We’ll see what happens.
I’ve downloaded and installed the new version on my Droid Incredible and STILL not able to use the app while on WiFi…I thought this was supposed to be part of the upgrade?!
Peter Parks,
Why does Skype continually ignore the much requested capability of allowing calls to placed over WiFi on Android smartphones, which Skype offers on other smartphone platforms (I.e Apple & Nokia)?
Please advise.
I have an online skype number. When somebody calls my online skype number why doesn’t it ring skype mobile on my Droid? Has anyone got this to work?
Please, make a Skype for BlacBerry Storm and Storm 2 international in any country!!! I want to use my lovely skype abroad! I want to make a calls via Wi-Fi and 3G.
@trichardson01 sorry to hear you’ve been having problems – get in touch with our support team, who should be able to help.
I agree, not being able to use skype via wi-fi is just dumb. I’ll be bailing out and switching to the I-phone.
I upgraded my mobile skype today. Have been using it fine with a subscription to UK. Today I can’t make any calls. All I get is please wait. Any ideas what setting has changed to now not allow calls?
that’s great.. but other android devices must use skype lite again…
if you can’t make full android client, give other developers SkypeKit…
I have been a Skype fan and user since about 2004. The exclusive deal done with Verizon which excludes my use of skype with my non-verizon Android phone makes me VERY unhappy with Skype. The good news is that there are many other VOIP options out there.
I am also frustrated by Skype not being available on regular Android phones. Luckily, with the advances made by Google voice , I am almost ready to cancel my Skype subscription.
for all adroid users skype ignore, I can recommend Google Voice
skype, i buy your packages – so make it available on android 2.2 / wifi / any phone, and country – you have all the technology
I am VERY VERY unhappy about Skype blocking wifi calls on android. I don’t understand the monetary benefit of doing so. I could have used the wifi skype call to call international numbers or making calls when I travel globally. And Skype could charge me for providing that convenience the same way when I use their desktop software. Now they are blocking wifi on Android. They just lost one customer to google voice, which could perfectly do what they do now for international calls, which is route it through carrier’s network. Only google voice has a way better integration with android. Now google bought gizmo5 and GIPS, it’s not long before google voice put an end to skype’s life if skype is straining itself by restricting its openness.
I’m confused and sad!
I try to understand the logic here: Skype is available for computers to make skype-to-skype calls free via cabled or wireless network. Blackberry smartphones are in fact mini-computers. Skype is available for BB only if you live in the US and have a Verizon dataplan. Why isn’t Skype available to the rest of the BB users who live OUTSIDE of the US? All we want is to be able to leave the computer off and use BB to make Skype-to-skype calls over available Wifi networks to start with. If, on top of that, we could use our BB to make Skype-out calls via our skype credit and our dataplan with our provider other than Verizon (not available in Europe e.g.), we would be very happy!
Now, am I being too logic here or is there something I missed?
So please, pretty pls, Skype, give us BB users the possibility to make skype-to-skype calls over Wifi as a start, you have the technology, just make it available! When contacting your support directly, all I got was an answer that left me out in the cold with some general statements, avoiding the issue… At the very least, I think we are entitled to a clear, direct, honest answer to thisissue from you Skype. If you intend to NEVER release Skype for BB other than Verizon, than just say it out loud so we know where we stand and can take appropriate action.
Thanks!
When will skype mobile be available for the Blackberry Torch 9800?
I can accept Skype must be bound to the commercial terms of your agreement with Verizon. I also appreciate the update that at least allows Wifi to be active when Skype is loaded, even if I can’t use it. However, I cannot see how Verizon is harmed if Skype uses wifi when the Verizon network is not available. Right now, both Skype AND Verizon lose because I am forced to use Truphone for this service.
My lovely Droid X becomes a shiny telecom brick when I leave North America. Surely it must be possible to allow wifi connections if the phone has no CDMA service. We know it’s possible for Skype to work on wifi along with 3G because our Skype-using iPhone friends do it today.
Please enhance the Skype client to detect that CDMA is unavailable (or maybe available but not Verizon?) and allow us to use Skype to send and receive calls.
The decision not to support Skype Mobile over Wifi baffles me.
You are literally driving customers away!
My Verizon plan expires in December, and if there is still no Wifi support in sight I am switching to the iPhone and also finding an alternative to Skype.
The fact is, Verizon service is almost non-existant at my house. So routing calls over verizons service is useless (not to mention the fact that I don’t need skype to do that, I might as well use my phone anyway). Wifi calling would be nice so I can make calls with my cell phone at home. Otherwise, it’s pretty much useless. Not sure why we are FORCED to use the verizon network for a service that we pay Skype for to begin with (for those of us who have skype numbers and skype out). It’s available on other devices, there is no reason why it shouldn’t be available on ours other then someone at skype got a nice big wad O cash from someone at Verizon so that we can’t essentially have a voip phone in our cell and hence are forced to use our minutes (regardless of the fact some of us can’t use them in the home anyway). Frustrating to say the least that the pockets of some big wigs are more important then the general populace.
Does anyone know if you end up eating some of your data when using skype to make calls or IM’s when you switch to WiFi mode on your droid 2? Im getting a droid 2 with the new 150mb data plan on Verizon… and i dont know if it eats data when you use it on wifi or not.. Also, does it eat data when you are NOt on wifi and just using the regular network?
I´m really frustrated about Skype. Not made it available for all Android users or avoid some updates for some countries is a shame. Well, as a user that requires for this kind of service, I´ll do the only thing I can do now. Unsubscribe and look for a company which wants to deliver me a service that I need.
can somebody advise me, i’m using a blackbury curve and and trying to download skype on my mobile, only to get an error message that says “sorry skype is unavailable for your mobile …, is this true of must i contact my service provider?
Anyone else on Driod not able to operate Skype mobile after a power cycle (turning the phone off and then on again – or after the power runs out)? I have an LG Ally with Droid. I thought they would have fixed this with 1.5.0.16 posted the other week. I contacted Verzion on the phone and on e-mail as well as skypeuploader@googlemail.com about this back in October.
Verizon wireless e-mailed me back a reference # of 67507317 – call them and make some noise until they fix the problem. Perhaps there is a backlog of issues to fix; but I would think this would affect the basic operation and functionality of the app…. what about the other 20-30% of apps out there that do this..?? an Android problem.. or bad code from the developers of those apps? I uninstall those and don’t look back.. but I use Skype Mobile for work. Skype, if you can fix this please do… haven’t figured out a way to enter a ticket to Skype yet.. even though skypeuploader@googlemail.com automated feedback says that I can/if there is a way.
Yet another pissed off customer about the inability to use wifi with Android (Verizon customer). I’m a very frequent user of Skype, especially connecting to WiFi. My boyfriend lives in Italy and this is the best way for us to talk as 3G connected calls are very poor quality. I recently switched over to Verizon a few days ago because Verizon has better coverage in this area, but before I made the switch I was assured by Verizon that I can still use Skype. That was my number one concern before I made the switch. Yeah, sure, Verizon Android phones have Skype capability, true enough, but please don’t deceive us by not disclosing the fact that it’s 3G only and not WiFi. This is poor customer service and poor business practice. I gave up an iPhone for this?!?
@shannon.wacker try downloading this app – which lets you make calls using a WiFi connection.
I’m a new Skype (other than IM) user. Just got an online number and subscription. Was quite annoyed when VoiceMail would not work. I was up and running on a PC, could make and receive calls perfectly but if I rejected a call or did not answer then the caller just heard the call ring on forever, never was forwarded or go to voicemail. After many emails to tech support, I personally found the problem. I was logged onto my Skype account on my BlackBerry 8330, have used it for IM for ages. I logged off and voicemail now works. If I log back on then voicemail does not work. I have sent email to tech support and they as yet do not even understand the problem, they do not have a script for it. Where do companies find these support people???
Has anyone found way and installed non-verizon version of skype for droid-2? I.e. U.K.? skype.co.uk under android says “3g or wi-fi”.
Hi:
I have a Zenithkit ZT 180 android 2.1 tablet pc, the skype installed well but when I tried to sign in the skype app disapears and nothing can be done, like a crash. I read in some forums and blogs and it’s a common issue on this tablet. In fact, nobody had been able to login on skype on one of this devices. Thanks and regards,
Juan Rocha
Soooo, what about the rest of the BB world? has skype sold out? what happened to anyone can use skype? I guess it would have been ok, if iskoot was still able to work, but you guys can’t have that competing against the Mighty “V” it feels more like I need a US phone carrier….too bad I live in Canada I guess microsoft or google will have to step it up or fill in the void you guys just created. Another nail in the Skpye coffin! too bad I liked your product. Up until now I thought the politics of phone carriers didn’t affect you guys, I guess I was wrong! Way to put profit before everything else! Signed Disappointed
I have HTC Desire using Android 2.2. Skype does not work. The audio quality is unuseable. This must be a known problem – come on Skype – what is the solution ?
Had a Blackberry Tour with Verizon and was able to make calls through Skype whenever I wanted.
Bought an HTC Thunderbolt, and I can’t make calls to my Skype contacts unless I’m using the WiFi. Apparently, Verizon has blocked Skype calls on the 3G network. Additionally, Skype Mobile won’t even work on the Thunderbolt.
Returned the Thunderbolt, and I’m using the Tour again…but I need a new phone! Any suggestions?
P.S. The list of Android phones that are compitable with Skype is incorrect on the skype website. I tried using skype with the phones in the store only to discover that skype can only be used on WiFi for them, too.