7 Skype Tips and Tricks You Didn’t Know

Skype is nothing new to most of us. We all love how simple and straightforward Skype is. It probably only takes you less than 30 minutes from downloading to dialing your first call through Skype.

You think you already know all about Skype? Well, there might still be some features that will surprise you! Check out the 7 Skype tips and tricks in this post to see what they are!

#1 How to Make Calls from Skype Contact List

Do you know you can start a Skype call by double-clicking on a contact? Here’s how:

1. Click Tools >> Options >> General Settings
2. Check the box: When I double-click on a contact start a call

Pretty easy, huh?

#2 How to Hide or Show the Skype Moving Pencil

You must have noticed that when you are chatting with someone on Skype message, there’s a pencil image moving showing you that someone is editing his/her message. Not a big fan of this feature? No problem. Here’s how you can hide it and have more privacy:

1. Click Tools >> Options >> IM & SMS >> IM Settings >> Show Advanced Options
2. Uncheck the box: Show when I am typing

#3 How to Clear Skype Chat History

Erase your chat history in Skype is easy. Just follow these two steps:

1. Click Tools >> Options >> IM & SMS
2. Click IM Settings >> Show Advanced Options >> Clear History

Be aware though, once you clear your history, you can’t restore the messages! So think twice before you hit the button! You can also adjust the time frame that you want to keep your history by selecting the drop-down menu.

#4 How to Get Keyword Notifications on Skype

Too many messages that you don’t have time to read them all? Use Skype’s Keyword Notifications to get notified only when certain words are mentioned in the IM window. Here’s how:

1. Click Conversation menu>> Notification Settings
2. Select the radio button: Notify me only if these words are mentioned.
3. Type in the keywords you’d like to receive notifications

Now you can sit back and focus on your work!

#5 How to Set Up the Caller ID on Skype

Caller ID shows your phone number when you make a call. You might want to set up this so people recognize you when you make Skype calls to landlines or mobile numbers.

1. Click Skype menu >> Account. You will see a web page where you get more call related information
2. Click Caller ID and select Country/Region and type in your Phone number.
3. Click Verify Number.

You are all set. Test it out!

#6 How to Edit Your Last Message on Skype

Oops, made a mistake in the message that you just sent? Press the Up Arrow Key on your keyboard, Skype will automatically copy the text you sent and put in your chat box where you can correct and re-send.

#7 How to Transfer Skype Account Contacts

Need a new Skype account but feel it’s tedious to re-add in all your contacts again? Let Skype do the work for you! You can easily backup all of your contacts from the old account and simply transfer them into the new one within minutes.

1. Sign in your old account. Click Contacts and go to Advanced and select Backup Contacts to File.  
2. Sign in your new account and click Contacts>> Advanced>> Restore Contacts from File

There you have it! Are you using any of the tricks I mentioned? What Skype features do you like to see? A hosted VoIP Service has a lot of useful and more advanced features, be sure to check it out too!