How to Use Teams with Skype
Skype and Teams are separate apps, but you can use Teams for one-on-one chats and video calls together. The following should be noted, however:
- Text-only conversations do not support @mentions or emojis.
- There is only one-to-one communication. It is not yet possible to chat in groups.
- The presence of Skype users and Teams users cannot be seen by each other.
- Skype IDs or phone numbers cannot be used to find Skype users.
Unblocking and blocking Skype users
You can block or unblock someone using Skype at any time after accepting their request.
- Block or unblock the person by right-clicking in the conversation or chat list.
Users who are blocked from Skype appear on their blocked contact list in Teams. The blocked Skype users will not be aware of the block.
Find Skype users by searching
The email address of a Skype user can be found if you’re using Teams.
A Teams user has the same access to a Skype user’s email address as you do when searching for and starting a one-to-one text-only conversation or audio/video call.
There are two ways to find a Skype user:
- Enter the Skype user’s email address into the search bar.
- Select Externally search [email address]. The Skype ID displayed alongside their name in the search results will help you determine if it’s the right contact from the results.The Skype user’s email address can also be entered via the New conversation option.
Getting an invite from a Skype user
Team users can also be invited to a Skype chat or video call. A Skype user will invite you to Teams, but you must accept their invitation before you’re able to respond to them.
Mobile
For one-to-one chats and video calls, Teams can be run alongside Skype despite being two separate apps. It is important to note, however, that:
- Emojis, @mentions, or rich formatting are not available in conversations.
- A one-to-one conversation is the only way to communicate. It is not yet possible to chat in groups.
- The presence of Team users and Skype users cannot be seen by each other.
- Skype IDs and phone numbers cannot be used when searching for Skype users by email.
Unblocking and blocking Skype users on a regular basis
By blocking or unblocking someone using Skype, you don’t have to let them know you’ve done so.
- Click Block or Unblock in the chat list or in the conversation with the other person.
Skype users who have been blocked appear in a user’s blocked contacts list in Teams. If you block someone on Skype, they won’t know.
Searching for Skype users
The email address of a Skype user can be found if you’re using Teams.
A Teams user has the same access to a Skype user’s email address as you do when searching for and starting a one-to-one text-only conversation or audio/video call.
Skype users can be found in two ways:
- To contact a Skype user, enter their email address in the search bar.
- You can search outside your organization by tapping Search outside your organization. You may see several results from this search, so check the Skype ID next to the contact’s name to determine whether it is the right contact.To add a new chat, tap New chat and enter the email address of the Skype user.
Getting an invite from a Skype user
Team users can also be invited to a Skype chat or video call. A Skype user will invite you to Teams, but you must accept their invitation before you’re able to respond to them.
