Skype is a web-based communication platform that allows users to communicate via standard instant messaging as well as to make video and phone calls for free. The platform supports group video calls involving up to 50 people and the exchange of documents, images, videos, and other multimedia files for easy, streamlined sharing.
After Skype released its 2.7 version for Mac, a lot of users have experienced an issue of Skype starting automatically on their Mac. This is quite irritating as you want to begin your day with some positive and eye-soothing background picture on the desktop.
Whenever you start your system, it takes some time to open all necessary apps and programs; in between, Skype’s appearance eats up some extra time of yours. A pop-up is mind-numbing especially when you are expecting an app or a program to open.
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- In the FaceTime app on your Mac, make or participate in a FaceTime call or a Group FaceTime call. Click the Sidebar button. Click the Add Person button, then enter the email address or phone number of the person you want to call. If you have a card for the person in the Contacts app, you can just enter the person’s name.
Skype uses the general system startup Settings instead of having separate preferences for the app. If you wish to stop Skype from starting automatically on your Mac, we have listed two simple methods.
How to Disable Skype Auto Start on Mac
Step #1. Launch Skype on your Mac → Go to the Dock.
Step #2. Right click on Skype icon in the Dock while holding Ctrl key.
A menu will swipe up with some options.
Step #3. Uncheck “Open at Login” option.
Next time when you start your Mac, you should not see Skype automatically starting.
There is another method to stop Skype from starting automatically on your Mac.
Step #1. Click on Apple logo on the left corner of Mac → Click on System Preferences.
Step #2. Click on Users & Groups.
Step #3. Click on your account name.
Step #4. Click on Login Items.
Step #5. Remove Skype from the list by clicking on Minus sign.
This will stop Skype from starting automatically on your Mac.
How do you like this trivial tip? Share your feedback with us in comment.
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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You can use Skype for Mac for instant messages, calls, sharing media, groups calls and much more. You can learn about all that by following this quick Skype guide.
Note: You need to install Skype first.
Contacts
Skype calls work both locally and internationally, including all the Skype members. If you want to find your contacts, search the username or email address of the person in the search bar.
You can view your Contacts through the contact tab below your profile picture. It’s also possible to import contacts if necessary. You can view the chats and profiles of your contacts and instantly send messages whenever you like.
Chats & Notifications in Skype for Mac
If you click on Notifications you will be able to access recent conversations, favorite contacts and all the other chats. In case you miss any messages, you will see a red bubble hovering over the Notificationstab. You can also quickly access all your incoming and outgoing calls from other Skype for Mac members and contacts by clicking on the Callstab.
If you want to communicate with someone, all you have to do is click on their profile or chat thread. Once you do that, the home screen will switch to a chat window of the given person.
You can write instant messages, share documents, media files or other attachments, recordings and your location. If you click on the More icon, you will be able to see all the features right on the message thread.
If you click on Gallery, you will see all the media files that you have previously shared with the caller. You can locate Gallery below the Caller’s username.
Click on Find to search for specific messages in the caller message history. To increase your chances of finding the message, try to remember keywords that were included in the conversation. This will help you avoid scrolling through the messages every single time.
Hover over the Callicon if you want to call without video, or choose the Videoicon if you want to have a video call.
Call Screen
As you call the person, you will see the following call screen.
Video & Audio features in Skype for Mac
You can mute/unmute yourself using the Microphone button on the very bottom. You can also choose to turn your camera on/off through the Cameraicon right next to the Microphone.
To avoid muting/unmuting yourself over and over because of surrounding noise, you can install a noise cancelling app called Krisp. It will remove the noise instead of you from both ends of the call without much effort. You will be able to concentrate on the call and listen to others perfectly.
Skype For Mac Version
Which Noise Is Annoying You The Most?
Use our noise cancelling app
to mute all the annoying noises
Chat features
If you want to send texts while you’re in a call, you can do so through the Chaticon, which is located in the bottom left corner of the Skype window. Once you do that, you will see the chat window pop in from the left side.
Emoji features in Skype for Mac
If you want to react to the caller with specific emotions you can use the reaction emojis in form of a heart. You can press the Hearticon on the bottom right corner of the screen and see all the possible emojis for different moods. The emojis will pop up both on your and the caller’s screen and twinkle for a while before going away.
Download Skype For Business For Mac
Skype Call Settings
Call settings can be accessed through the + icon right next to the Heart emoji. Settings will enable you to enter/exit full screen, change audio/video settings, share screen or take a snapshot.
You can also follow the speech easier by turning the subtitles on/off, or recording the call to come back to it later.
Inviting others to call
To switch to a group call directly from your ongoing call with the other person, click on the Participants icon next to your profile picture on the very top.
Once you do so, a new popup will appear over the call window where you can choose which participants you would like to invite. As you choose them, click Addand they will be invited to the ongoing call.
These are all the important features you need to know and we hope this guide will help you have better calls in Skype. Good luck!
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