How to Install and Use Skype on Roku?

Do you own a Roku player or TV, and are wondering whether you can make Skype calls through it? Then, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will look at ways through which you can use Skype on Roku.

Face-to-face video calling has dominated the telecommunications and networking industry for quite some time now and continues to evolve over the years. Initially, it was restricted to laptops and PCs, but as time goes by, you can make the most of video calling using several other devices. Currently, you can enjoy making video calls on devices such as tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles, and even on the latest Smart TVs. Skype is one of the most renowned apps that allows you to make free video calls to anyone worldwide. Whether you would want to video call your friends, family, or colleagues, Skype is the perfect app for you. For one-on-one conversations, you can make calls from small devices such as your laptop, phone, or tablet. However, if a larger number of people or your whole family wants to talk, a small device becomes quite difficult to use. At such times, you are better off Skype calling on your Roku TV.

What more should you know about Skype?

Skype is a communications app that is owned by Microsoft Corporation. It gives you the chance to make voice calls, video chat, and send messages between gaming consoles, smart watches, smartphones, tablets, and PCs over the internet. At the same time, Skype is a multi-platform compatible service that is supported by most operating systems. Unfortunately, it is not officially available for Roku, but you can use Skype on your Roku device using the screen mirroring option. The reason as to why it isn’t a native app on Roku is because Roku does not allow to side-load any third-party apps. For this reason, Roku is a streaming media player that is built-in with the screen mirroring option that gives you a chance to mirror your device screen to it.

So, what is screen mirroring, and how does it work?

Screen mirroring is a technology technique that allows you to mirror your smartphone on any big screen, such as your PC or TV. It allows you to seamlessly access all of your photos, videos, games, and almost every other application running on your phone through a bigger screen. You can easily access all the files and data on your device without having to transfer them to any external device. If you want to mirror your iOS, Android, or Windows device to a bigger screen, you would need to follow a few steps that we will discuss in this write-up.

How can I enable screen mirroring on my Roku device?

To successfully mirror the Skype app to your Roku, you need to have enabled the screen mirroring option. To seamlessly do this, you need to ensure that both Roku and your mirroring device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and ensure that the Wi-Fi connection is stable enough to facilitate the process. Once this is in order, you need to;

1. Browse through the Roku Home Screen, scroll downwards until you find the Settings tab
2. Select ‘Settings’ and search for the screen mirroring option
3. Click on screen mirroring then afterward select ‘screen mirroring mode’
4. Select either ‘Prompt’ or the ‘Always allow’ option

Screen Mirroring the Skype app on Roku using an Android Device

1. Connect your Android smartphone or tablet and Roku device to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to the Google Play Store and install it on your device. Once the download and installation process is complete, launch the Skype app.
3. Open Settings and click on the ‘Connection and Sharing’ option.
4. Click on the ‘Enable Cast’ option.
5. Once that is done, select the name of your Roku device from the search results that appear on your screen.
6. When your Android device is successfully connected to Roku, its screen should be displayed on your Roku device.
7. Open the Skype app on your Android tablet or smartphone and make calls to your friends, family, or colleagues. The same should be displayed on your Roku TV screen.

Screen Mirroring the Skype app on Roku from Windows

1. To begin, ensure that your Roku device and your PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to the Chrome browser on your laptop or PC and visit the Skype website.
3. Use your credentials to log into your Skype account.
4. Click the menu icon towards the top right corner of your browser and select the ‘Cast’ option. When you do this, you should begin searching for your nearby devices.
5. When you click on your Roku device name, tap on the Source drop-down box and click on the ‘Cast Tab’ option.
6. Once you select your Roku device, your desktop screen will be mirrored on your Roku connected TV. Now whatever you do on your windows screen will be displayed on your Roku connected TV.

A summary table

Mirroring Options	Using an Android device	Using a Windows device
Requirements	The Google Play Store	The Google Chrome Browser

Conclusion

Currently, you can only access the Skype app on your Roku connected TV through screen mirroring. However, it is expected that a native Skype app will be launched on Roku soon for a more direct installation process. Until then, the step-by-step guide above would perhaps be the easiest way to install and use Skype on Roku.

FAQs

1. Is the Skype Group Call free?

Yes. Generally, a group calling on the Skype video chat app is available for free and can host a maximum of one hundred people on any mobile device, computer, or tablet.

2. Is Skype being discontinued?

Not necessarily. However, Microsoft has mentioned that Skype is being retired and replaced with Microsoft Teams. Microsoft is trying its level best to get businesses to gradually transition to Teams.