Skype Updates for iOS and Mac Bring Multitasking and Shortcut Features - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Skype Updates for iOS and Mac Bring Multitasking and Shortcut Features

by

Over the last few days Skype has been updating its app for the Mac and iOS platforms, bringing about full support for new system updates like El Capitan and iOS 9 along with new multitasking and shortcut features.

The first update by the company came on Wednesday with Skype 7.13 for Mac, which brought about full support for OS X 10.11 El Capitan. The new Mac update allows users to place Skype into a Split View window so they can multitask with another app while the voice and text chatting service runs on the side. The company additionally streamlined a few ways to add friends on the service, letting users easily connect with their Mac address book to discover people who also use Skype.

ipad skype
Beginning yesterday, Skype also brought in full iOS 9 support to iPad and iPhone devices, with the introduction of Slide Over and Split View for the iPad. Just like the Mac version, Split View allows iPad users to multitask Skype alongside an alternative app like Safari or Messages, and Slide Over provides a brief glimpse into the Skype experience with an overlay placed on top of the current app. Both multitasking experiences only function with IM and voice calls on the service.

Millions of people use Skype every day to share URLs and photos. iOS9’s new Split View and Slide Over capabilities let you use Skype while using another app alongside it, making sharing your content even better. Imagine you’re planning a night out in London with a group of friends using IM or a group voice call. Now you can share links to bars and restaurants and decide on the best place to meet without having to leave the app, just click on the shared content and bring it alongside your Skype conversation. It’s a great way to get things done together.

Available for both the iPad and iPhone, the new Skype update introduced the ability for users to respond to messages within banners and from the lock screen, as well. The update is also streamlining the way to begin conversations, with an improved ability to search for a specific Skype contact from the Spotlight search within iOS and then jump straight into chat with them.

Mac and iOS users can upgrade to the newest versions of Skype for Mac, Skype for iPhone [Direct Link] and Skype for iPad [Direct Link] right now.

Tag: Skype

Top Rated Comments

JosephAW Avatar
139 months ago
Yes but does it fix the problem of not ringing on incoming calls and msgs?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
139 months ago
I dont have that problem, recheck your settings that you havent put them off like I did before, or just reinstall because it works perfectly fine with me :)
Reinstalling does nothing. Skype's notifications have always been flaky for me.

Are they still keeping a constant connection to their servers open whenever you are logged in, rather than using push notifications? Skype's relentless battery burning is what made me stop using it on my phone years ago.
It's fine now.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
139 months ago
Yes but does it fix the problem of not ringing on incoming calls and msgs?
I dont have that problem, recheck your settings that you havent put them off like I did before, or just reinstall because it works perfectly fine with me :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
baryon Avatar
139 months ago
Does it fix the issue that Skype is such a piece of junk and sucks in general and somehow never works when you need it to? Would be great if they fixed that.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LiE_ Avatar
139 months ago
Still waiting for Skype for Business on Mac. Lync 2011 is so very very painful in 2015.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Tuesday May 26, 2026 6:32 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Just Expanded iPhone Driver's License Feature to Arkansas

Wednesday May 27, 2026 9:41 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Starting today, the feature is available in Arkansas, which is the 14th state to offer it. However, it may take some time to roll out to all users. To...
Apple Watch Blood Glucose Monitoring Feature 2

Apple Watch for Diabetes: The Latest on Apple's Plans for Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Monitoring

Tuesday May 26, 2026 9:30 am PDT by
For many years now, it has been rumored that the Apple Watch will eventually gain non-invasive blood sugar monitoring capabilities, which would enable millions of people with diabetes to track their blood glucose levels without needing to prick their skin with a needle or wear a dedicated continuous glucose monitor. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple recently shifted oversight of...