Skip to main content

How to record a Skype call

If you struggle with quick note-taking, recording your Skype call is an excellent alternative to jotting down notes with a pen and paper. Recording the call lets you play it back later, allowing you to pause and write down key points or just rewatch the most vital parts. You can quickly record and save personal and professional Skype calls for later viewing directly from your computer.

We’ll be assuming you’ve already installed the latest version of Skype for our guide or at least the last version of the classic desktop client. If not, head to the Skype website and download it before we get started. Please note that recording audio and video conversations without asking the other party for permission is legally questionable and differs based on where you live. Check the laws in your local area or ask for permission before recording.

See more

Skype’s built-in recording

Skype has its built-in recording function, and though others may be more full-featured, it comes pre-bundled with the application, making it the easiest to gain familiarity.

Note that Skype is available on smart displays and smart speakers like Amazon Echo/Alexa — and you can even get more free minutes for using Skype on these devices. However, these smart devices do not allow you to record your Skype conversations at this time. If you want to record the audio or video, you will need to have it on a computer.

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Start a call with your friend or colleague. It can be voice or video. You can simply choose someone from your contact list with the right syncing options. The option works whether you’re using personal Skype or Skype for Business.

Skype in app recording feature screenshot
screenshot

Step 2: Click the More icon in the bottom-right corner and select Start Recording. A message will appear at the top of the window, reminding you that the call is being recorded. Doing so also creates a banner notification that everyone in the call will see, letting each person know that they are being recorded. All Skype screens/audio streams will be captured, no matter how many people are on the call.

Skype Recording 2 2018
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: When you’ve finished recording the call, either hang up or press the More icon again and select Stop Recording. The recording will then be finalized and processed.

Step 4: Once the call has ended, you’ll be taken back to the chat screen for your conversation. Your recording should appear in the chat once it’s finished processing. Click on the recording to play it back. If you want to save it to your computer, the easiest way is to mouse over your recording in the chat until the More Options icon appears (three vertical dots). Click on that icon, and from the pop-up menu that appears, select Save. This will send a copy of your recording to your Downloads folder.

Skype in app recording screenshot for step 4 saving recording
screenshot

Note that Skype’s in-app recording function records all participants’ video and audio in the same file, only records Skype-to-Skype calls, and only saves files for 30 days. If you want separate recordings, you may be better off using one of the following alternatives.

Windows alternatives

MP3 Skype Recorder

Although it only records the audio portion of a call, MP3 Skype Recorder is the most lightweight and hands-off of the Skype recording solutions we recommend. It’s entirely free, with only the most niche features hidden behind the Pro version paywall.

Evaer

Another option is Evaer, which is a straightforward program that’ll get the job done in a pinch. With the free trial, you can record video conversations of up to five minutes in length. If you want to record longer videos than that, however, you’ll need to pay for the premium version (which starts at $20).

MacOS alternatives

ECamm Call Recorder ($40)

If you want to record Skype calls on a Mac without using Skype’s built-in methods, ECamm’s Skype Call Recorder is the obvious first choice. It’s not free, but there’s a seven-day trial if you want to try the software before shelling out $40.

Step 1: Head to the Skype Call Recorder homepage and download the trial version. You can buy the full version later if you want, but for now, let’s just get the software up and running.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: The trial comes in a ZIP file, which you merely need to double-click to open (or use one of these programs). You’ll find the installer inside. Run it, and you’ll go through the motions to install Call Recorder. Enter your password if prompted.

Step 3: Launch Skype as you usually would. Everything will look the same, except there will now be a new window that opens alongside the main Skype window. Simply click the red button in the new window to start recording your conversation.

skype-call-recorder-mac
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You’ll see audio levels for both your microphone and the other people in the conversation, which lets you know if the recording is indeed working. If you want to fine-tune how everything works — i.e., the resolution, format, and recording type — a preference pane in Skype’s settings will allow you to do so.

Step 4: If you weren’t already aware, you automatically installed a tool called ECamm Movie Tools alongside Call Recorder. Launch the program — you can also open it via the magnifying glass in the ECamm window — and you can edit your recordings.

ecamm-skype-edit
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: From there, you can adjust the volume for either side of the conversation and decide whether to show one or both videos — you can also export to the file format of your choosing. There’s even a share button for uploading directly to YouTube or Vimeo or exporting to iMovie. As you can see in the image above, however, the trial version includes a prominent watermark.

That’s it! Do with the resulting file what you will. Remember that the video file will show what the screen showed during the call, so if one of you was experiencing some camera or sound lag, it will appear that way in the recording as well, even if you optimized the frame rate and resolution settings.

Use MacOS’s built-in screenshot toolbar

MacOS has a built-in screen recorder that allows you to select what portion of your screen you want to record. You can use this application and highlight the Skype call window to record your video call.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just hit Shift + Command + 5, and a toolbar will appear at the bottom to record your screen. Select the icon that looks like a Square with Dotted Lines and highlight the portion of the screen you want to record. Then, click Record, and you will capture whatever is showing in that space. Your Mac will record the screen until you end it, and you’ll have an option to save the video file from there.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Tyler Lacoma
Former Digital Trends Contributor
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
How to clean a laptop screen without scratching it
How to clean a laptop screen

Laptop screens get dirty -- that's just a fact of life. Whether you're using one of the best 2-in-1 laptops and want to clean off your fingerprints from the touchscreen or you use a notebook laptop and have somehow gotten food or dirt on it, the cleaning process isn't something that's exactly easy to understand. Do you need a special cleaning fluid? How hard should you rub? What do you rub the screen with? Even using water to clean a laptop screen isn't necessarily completely safe, due to minerals.

Device cleaning guides

Read more
How to use cut, copy, and paste keyboard shortcuts in Windows

Are you tired of all the right-clicking just to access simple commands like cut, copy, and paste? Sure, it's not super labor-intensive, but it can get really annoying after a while when you're constantly summoning one of these actions using a mechanical rodent.

If you’re not utilizing shortcut commands, you’re missing out on an easy way to save time and effort. Read on to learn simple commands that combine Control (Ctrl) and other keys to cut, copy, paste, and even undo actions across Windows apps.
Selecting text and moving your cursor (without a mouse)

Read more
The 11 best USB-C cables for 2024, chosen by experts
usb c power bank graphene battery pack

USB-C is the port of the future. We're seeing more and more devices changing to the new standard, and it's now almost impossible to find an Android phone above $300 that's still using the outdated Micro USB charging cable. And while the Apple iPhone continues to use the Lightning cable, there are rumors every year claiming Apple is considering swapping its phones to the standard -- there's even an E.U. proposal that may ensure it happens. Heck, the top-tier iPads and MacBooks use USB-C ports, so some would argue the change is inevitable. But why are so many phones making the switch to the new USB-C charging cable?

Simply put, it allows for faster charging and data transfer speeds, and, most importantly, you can insert the cable either way up. That's right, no more awkwardly rotating the cable to jiggle it into your phone's port. Best of all, it can be used for phones, tablets, power banks, and even laptops -- so all you'll need is a single cable (as long as you're not using an iPhone, that is). But not every USB-C cable is created equal, and you want something durable and dependable if you're going to rely on it for multiple devices. This list of the best USB-C cables has options sure to meet your needs for length, power output, and reliability.

Read more