On Skype for Mac, your view upon login depends on the screen you were showing when you last logged out. To view your contacts, click “Contacts” along the left sidebar. Online contacts who are available to chat will have both a green checkmark and a status which reads “Online” next to their name.
On Mac versions, adjusting the list is accomplished by choosing one of the same options along the top of the main window. Contacts in Skype may also be logged in but inactive. This is indicated by a yellow clock icon. They will be included in online lists and are reachable, however the icon indicates that they have been inactive on Skype for an extended period of time.
On some Windows versions, this option is accessible via the contacts dropdown by clicking “Facebook” After recommendations are made, you still must make a request and have it accepted before they are added to your contact list and before you can see if they are online or not.
To see what options you have for any given contact on this list simply hover over the username. Depending on their account status and your own connection you may be able to call, text, or video chat them. You still must request a connection via Skype and the other user must approve your request before they are added to your official contacts list or their online status is visible to you. For friends in your address book who don’t have a Skype account, it is still possible to call or SMS text them from Skype, but note that charges may apply.
If using Skype for Mac you will first click “Contacts” to bring up the “Add Contact” option. For Windows either click the “Add Contact” button directly from your Skype home screen or else access the “Contact” file menu and from there select “Add Contact”.
Skype also offers the option to search through the text of your chats in order to return search results. This is a separate option in the search bar dropdown.
If you are searching for a friend it is helpful to know their geographical location since many similar results are sometimes returned. You must request a connection and be approved before you can see if your new contact is online or not.
