To quote Leo Tolstoy ”Instant messengers are all alike; every remodeled instant messenger tends to be like the others”. All jokes aside, Microsoft decided to refurbish the Skype app for handheld devices and now it looks like a hybrid of WhatsApp, Viber, and Snapchat. And just like those renowned apps, Skype tends to cover every possible aspect even remotely related to instant messaging.
Now, that’s not bad per se, new Skype is functional and easy to use. Even though many users aren’t satisfied with interface changes, it’s still a useful tool. However, like with so many other apps, the main function of Skype, which is video calls, somewhat fell into the second plan. Moreover, some issues emerged after the Android update and the most common issue is, as you would probably guess, related to connectivity.
Some users reported that they’re unable to connect to Skype and even send messages from their Android handsets. Not to mention the inability to seamlessly perform or receive a video call. For that purpose, we prepared some workarounds and tweaks that should help you resolve the problem and maintain a stable connection. You can find them below.
Meet the requirements
In order to use Skype 8, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. Those requirements are not exactly demanding, but, in our modest opinion, instant messengers like Skype should be optimized for use even on the oldest devices. Just like the desktop version which basically demands calculator-like PC specs. Joke aside, these are the specs you’ll need to have in order to use all Skype 8 features on your Android handset:
- Android OS 4.0.3 or higher.
- ARMv7 processors are a must for video calling. Users with Armv6 processors can use messaging and VoIP calls, but it won’t support video calls.
- 32MB of storage space. This tends to expand over time.
After you’re certain that your device meets the requirements, we can move on to additional steps in the list.
Check the device connection settings
Let’s refrain from throwing stones on Skype for the time being. Maybe it’s the overall instability of Wi-Fi or mobile data the main reason for the issue at hand. This might improve overall performance. So, check your connection with other connection-related apps, like Facebook, Viber, or something similar, and, if everything works as intended, move on to the next step on the list.
However, if something is wrong, you should follow the steps below and troubleshoot the connection on your device:
- Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data. A Mobile Data network isn’t the most reliable way to use Skype. You can use it for instant messaging, but when it comes to video or voice calling, a stable Wi-Fi connection is always a preferred way.
- Shut down your router, wait for some time, and turn it on again.
- Forget the Wi-Fi network and re-establish it again.
- Use the 2.4 GHz band instead of 5 GHz. It lacks range, but it’s a more stable option.
- Wipe the cache partition within the boot recovery settings.
- Power off your device.
- Press and hold the Volume Down key and Power Button simultaneously.
- When the phone starts, use the Volume Down to navigate through the menu.
- Select Recovery mode with a single press of the Power button.
- Press the Power button to start Recovery mode. The Android robot with an exclamation point should appear.
- Hold the Power Button and press once Volume Up key. The menu should appear.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll to “wipe cache partition” and confirm with a single press of the Power Button.
- Have in mind that the access procedure can vary on different Android devices.
- Reset Network settings.
- Open Settings.
- Open Backup & reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Confirm selection.
- This will reset all network settings, including APN, wireless, and Bluetooth settings
- Disable Bluetooth since it can affect Wi-Fi or Mobile Data signal on some devices.
- Disable other connection-dependant apps from working in the background.
Once you’ve managed to establish a proper connection, give Skype another shot. If the problem is still there, and negative reviews of Skype 8 turned out to be correct, move to other solutions on the list.
Update the Skype app
Even though it seems that they made a mistake with remodeled Skype app a.k.a Skype 8, frequent updates are always welcomed. Users expect the resolution of the most common problems that keep stacking up like worms after rain. Now, with every new update, some problem is addressed, so, statistically, it’s a good chance that your connection problem will be resolved. If not with the current update, at least with some upcoming updates.
So, check for updates and we might overcome the above-mentioned connection problem:
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap Menu.
- Choose My Apps & Games.
- Look up the Skype – IM & Video Calls app in the Updates tab.
- If the update is available, choose to update.
- Restart your handset and look for changes.
Clear the app’s cache
As you’re probably aware, apps store cache to speed up the loading process and save micro-settings. However, after some time, piles of the cache can and will affect the app’s performance. Don’t let the small size of the stored cache fool you into thinking that it can’t slow down the app or cause errors. So, it’s advised to clear the cache from time to time, especially if some strange problem emerged. It’s worth a try and won’t cost you much.
Follow the instructions below to clear the cache from the Skype app:
- Tap Settings.
- Open Apps (Applications).
- Tap Skype and open Storage.
- Clear Cache and Data.
- Restart your device and sign in again.
Hopefully, that should relieve you of possible issues caused by cache infringement or corruption. If it wasn’t sufficient to resolve connection problems, and your nerves are getting thinner, there are some other things you can try. At least, before you send a ticket to customer support and ask for a subscription refund.
Reinstall Skype
The next obvious step is reinstallation. It might resolve the problem, but, if it’s to be believed to our present experiences – if the code is flawed, reinstallation won’t do you any good. Either way, it’s worth a shot and you won’t lose anything by doing so.
- Tap and hold the Skype app under the App list.
- Draw it to the top and Uninstall it.
- Restart your device.
- Open the Play Store app
- Look up Skype – IM & Video Calls.
- Install the app.
If even that step was in vain, the only remaining solution is to install APK with an older version and hope for the best. It looks like large developers can’t get a hold of a good old saying ”If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. Well, luckily, you can always downgrade.
Downgrade with APK
If that’s still not enough, and Skype 8 proved to be a nefarious band of misfortunate events and bad decisions made by Microsoft, you can use an APK file to install the older app version. Of course, don’t forget to disable the auto-updates within the Play Store Settings. We don’t want to get Skype 8 again, do we?
- Download the preferred version’s APK on your PC.
- Extract the file with WinRar or a similar tool until you have the APK file.
- Connect the Android device to the PC via USB and transfer the APK file to internal memory.
- Uninstall the current version of the Skype app and restart your device.
- Navigate to Settings > Advanced Settings > Security, and enable Unknown sources.
- Use a native file explorer or File Explorer to navigate to the folder where the APK file is stored.
- Tap to install the APK with the older version.
- After the process is finished, make sure not to install updates for the Skype app.
That should do it, folks. Moreover, if you have any questions or suggestions, make sure to tell us in the comments section. We’ll be glad to answer them and help you within our capabilities. Either way, thank you for reading, and have a nice day.
