Skype URI tutorial: iOS apps

You can use Skype URIs in your iOS apps; for example, tapping a contact’s picture might start a Skype audio call. After you have constructed the appropriate Skype URI, simply use openURL to initiate its actions.

- (IBAction)skypeMe:(id)sender
{
  BOOL installed = [[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"skype:"]];
  if(installed)
  {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"skype:echo123?call"]];
  }
  else
  {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"http://itunes.com/apps/skype/skype"]];
  }
}

Your iOS app can simply pass the skype: scheme to canOpenURL to determine whether a Skype client is installed on the device. A return value of true indicates that the Skype client is installed.

If the Skype client is not installed, your app should alert the user, and direct them to the App Store. Ideally, your app should use openURL with an argument of http://itunes.com/apps/skype/skype to navigate directly to the Skype for iPhone/iPad install page.

• Skype development

• Skype URI API reference

• Skype URIs: Branding guidelines

• Skype URIs: FAQs

• Skype URI tutorial: Windows 8 apps

• Skype URI tutorial: Email

• Skype URI tutorial: Webpages

• Skype URI tutorial: Android apps