How to Make a Conference Call With Skype

Set up a Skype group call

By
Nadeem Unuth
Nadeem Unuth
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Mauritius
Nadeem Unuth is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who specializes in information and communication technology with a focus on VoIP.
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Updated on July 25, 2021
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
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Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
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Skype is a good tool for organizing conference calls. Since it's a popular service, you're likely to find people you want to add to your group call using the app. It's also available on multiple platforms, and calling other Skype users is free. This holds true for individuals and businesses alike. In this guide, we show you how to set up a group call using Skype, whether you're on a desktop or mobile device.

The information in this guide applies to all versions of Skype.

Participate in a Conference Call

You can have up to 50 participants on an audio conference call, including yourself. The maximum number of video streams you can have on a call varies depending on the platform and device you use. The other participants need to be in your contacts list, so make sure you add them before you initiate the call. People who don't have Skype can join the group call using the app's web client. In this case, they join as a visitor, and no login is needed.

Group calls with more than 25 participants are ringless. Instead, people receive a notification that the call started and can select the Join Call button when ready. If you start a video call with less than 25 participants, you can choose whether or not to go ringless.

Before starting any conference call, make sure you have a stable internet connection, the latest version of Skype, and a working microphone.

How to Start a Group Call on Skype

Here's how to start a new group call on Skype for both desktop and mobile platforms:

  1. From the Calls tab, select the New Call icon.

  2. Search for and select the participants you wish to call.

    You can choose up to 50 people for a Skype audio call

  3. Press the Call button in the upper-right corner of the screen to initiate the call.

    A screenshot of Skype's New Call window with the Call button highlighted

  4. Alternatively, you can start a group call using a free link provided by Skype. You can share it in a Gmail or Outlook message, or you can copy it to the clipboard.

    You can generate a free link for your Skype conference calls

As contacts accept your call and join the conference, the color of their icons changes to bright green, as is always the case during calls. You can tell who's talking during the call by the light halo that appears around their name and icon.

The group call is initially untitled. You can rename it by selecting the name and typing a new one.

You can add more people to your group call once it's started. Just select the Add button. You can also reconnect someone who was accidentally dropped during the call.

How to Start a Group Call on Skype Meet Now

Skype Meet Now lets you use Skype without an account or the app. You can invite participants using a unique URL. Attendees can join using Skype on the Web or a mobile app.

  1. Go to the Skype website and click Create a free meeting to generate a meeting link.

    Using Skype Meet Now.

  2. Click Share invite.

    Using Skype Meet Now.

  3. You can copy the link or share it in an Outlook or Gmail message.

    You can copy the link or share it via Outlook or Gmail.

  4. Click Start Call.

    Starting a Skype Meet Now Call.

  5. Enable audio and video if you like and click Start Call again.

    Starting a Skype Meet Now Call.

  6. Click the red End Call button when the meeting is done.

    Ending a Skype Meet Now Call.

Other Things You Can Do in a Skype Group Call

Skype has a few other perks for people using its group call feature, including:

  • Call recording: You can save your group calls for later reviews and note-taking. Skype stores recordings for up to 30 days.
  • Blurred backgrounds: Skype lets you turn on background blurring, for those days when your office or home is a mess, and you don't want your co-workers to see.
  • Screen sharing: You can easily share presentations, work materials, and more during group calls.
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