I have been waiting from ages like many others for a native Skype app for the iPhone. I felt all the voices requesting the app on Skype forum were falling on deaf ears but alas it’s finally here and boy-whoa-boy it’s out with a bang.
The million dollar question undoubtedly on everybody’s mind would be about the voice clarity – I have got just two words for that – CRYSTAL CLEAR!!!. I made a skype out call to my friend in India and was more than impressed with the call quality. But the big WOW factor was the skype to skype call – it was brilliant. Felt as though I was calling from my BT landline.
For those of you who feel that this isn’t a big deal. Think again! Yes I know Fring, Truphone and Nimbuzz have been around but they suck at voice quality. This is because they use a workaround that requires them to channel calls through a server and transcode audio, resulting in poorer-quality calls than Skype can do in its own app.
Important solutions to the COMPLAINERS:
- Complaining that you can’t use Skype on 3G?
- Just Jailbreak your iphone and install voipover3g app from cydia. Jailbreakers will be able to save their minutes whenever they want because this app makes the iPhone think that it is on wifi all the time.
2. Complaining that you can’t run skype in the background while using another application?
- Just install backgrounder app from cydia on your jailbroken phone.
3. Complaining that you cant use gtalk, msn and other IM’s?
- Its a SKYPE only app. Duh! Use Beejive or someother app if you want to chat using other IM’s.
4. Complaining that there is no video conferencing, SMS and other desktop client features ?
- Play the waiting game for a while. The folks at skype will definitely be releasing these features in not-so-distant future updates.
UPDATE: Complaining that Skype is crashing every minute on your jailbroken iphone?
- Saurik has released a new mobile substrate and the issue is fixed. Just update ‘mobile substrate’ from cydia. Once this is done you can enjoy uninterrupted calls on skype from your jailbroken iphone.
April 1 UPDATE: Complaining that after updating mobile substrate voipover3g and backgrounder isn’t working?
Saurik just released another update of mobilesubstrate 0.9.2805-1. This version fixes the problem entirely allowing for mobilesubstrate addons to work with Skype app. You can now use Skype app with VoIPover3G! and backgrounder. Just update mobile substrate on Cydia once more and enjoy skype on the go!
April 2 UPDATE (UK time): For a full fledged tutorial on how to install voipover3g to use skype over 3g Click here.
FINAL UPDATE: You no longer need to SSH or edit any file. All you need to do is install voipover3g from Cydia on your jailbroken iPhone and you can instantly make calls over 3g via skype :)
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Hi Rohit
Can you please tell me what is the next step after installing voipover3g?
Hi Earl:
Skype works over EDGE/3G on FW 2.x.
Install VoiPover3G (Cydia)
SSH iPhone “/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/VoIPover3G.plist”
edit *plist and add “com.skype.skype”,
Ever since I have installed skype it keeps crashing on me..WTF??
Saurik has released a new mobile substrate and the issue is fixed. Just update ‘mobile substrate’ from cydia. Once this is done you can enjoy uninterrupted calls on skype from your jailbroken iphone.
Is it possible to install Skype on an unlocked phone running 1.1.1?
U need to be on firmware 2.X I am afraid..will let you know if there is a workaround for 1.1.1 firmware..cheers..
Awesome, thanks for the update
you are welcome!
Skype works over EDGE/3G on FW 2.x.
Install VoiPover3G (Cydia)
SSH iPhone “/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/VoIPover3G.plist”
edit *plist and add “com.skype.skype”,
not working buddy ne other way
thanks
@sr: Temporary mobile substrate update disabled mobile substrates from running in Skype and fixed crashing issue BUT the update also resulted in – no voipover3g, backgrounder, etc atleast for now. Saurik the creator of cydia is working on a solution.. Will give u a heads up the moment ‘voipover3g’ can be used again. cheers..
For people having crashes (especially the 1 minute thing) use this FIX which doesn’t involve updating mobile substrate and therefore allows usage of voipover3g and backgrounder:
I had to enable in Intelliscreen, Performance, App Boost ON and select the apps below (in my case I set Backgrounder and VoipOver3G both to ON). That fixed it, no more crashes at all, tested this on 2 iPhones. (via http://tinyurl.com/skypemooon)
Hint: you can use VoipOver3G from Cydia and have Skype work on 3G (calls)
You install it and then go to /Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries , edit VoIPover3G.plist and add “com.skype.skype” to the list.
my voipover3g is also not working with skype after i updated mobilesubstrate.
@rence: yeah hopefully another update of mobilesubstrate is out soon which lets us use voipover3g.. Will keep u updated..
Thanks for your help, i found you on twitter…
How do I do this part?
SSH iPhone “/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/VoIPover3G.plist”
edit *plist and add “com.skype.skype”,
@Rob: This is one of the best tutorials on the net on how to SSH your iphone on windows. (it’s diff for mac so lemme knw if ur using mac)
http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=3221
Once you know how to SSH. Browsing iPhone system files is as good as browsing folders on your computer.
So with ease you will be able to navigate yourself to “/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/VoIPover3G.plist”
Just doubleclick on it or right click and say edit and once its open add “com.skype.skype” -All lowercase
( to know more go to http://thebigboss.org/2008/10/25/voice-over-ip-over-3g/ and http://thebigboss.org/2009/03/30/new-skype-app-having-problems-on-jailbroken-phones/)
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have updated ur mobile substrate file on cydia u wont be able to use voipover3g. Saurik is working on a solution. Hopefully one more mobile substrate update will be out soon which will allow the above hack to work. Will tweet you the moment I get the news.
Thanks! The tutorial was great! Let me know when you receive word of that update!
voipover3g does not work anymore with skype after i updated mobilesubstrate
You guys are awesome, i was driving myself nuts why the backgrounder app wasnt working for me. Looking forward to Sauriks update! Thanks for the blog
@rence @cameron Saurik just released another update of mobilesubstrate 0.9.2805-1. This version fixes the problem entirely allowing for mobilesubstrate addons to work with Skype app. You can now use Skype app with VoIPover3G! and backgrounder. Just update mobile substrate on Cydia once more and enjoy skype on the go!
@rob Saurik just released another update of mobilesubstrate 0.9.2805-1. This version fixes the problem entirely allowing for mobilesubstrate addons to work with Skype app. You can now use Skype app with VoIPover3G! and backgrounder. Just update mobile substrate on Cydia once more and enjoy skype on the go!
sweeet, thanks again!
i have upgraded to latest mobilesubstrate 0.9.2805-1 but now i am facing serious problem with skype. After login if i am trying to message to the another user, as soon i am touching the keypad my skype crashes automatically.
I received mail from Saurik “However, the problem is not MobileSubstrate: I made a multiple minute phone call over 3G using 0.9.2805-1 (which now lets you use things like backgrounder and voipover3g with Skype): you have some other extension installed that’s not working, and now its able to get injected into Skype.”
Can somebody help me what could be possible extension that is causing problem…
@vnaya : 3 possible solution right now:
solution 1: If you are still having “after about a minute” crashes with Skype it is likely caused by a non-MobileSubstrate extension (such as mAdvLock).
——— So Delete mAvLock ———
solution 2: Alright – just figured out that I had to delete MobileLog 2.2.
Which is too bad, because I love it… but now Skype works flawless!
iphone g2, 8GB, 2.2.1 – hope this helps and hope more this get’s fixed by the MASTER!
——– Delete MobileLog 2.2 ——–
solution 3: ok skype was crashing on launch for me with the new mobilesubstrate but when i enabled intelliscreen with performance boost for winterboard and backgrounder skype worked again !!
—-Enable Intelliscreen with performance boost for winterboard—-
Let us know if it helps.
Installed the newest MobileSubstrate + Voipover3G and it’s a no go.
I get no instability, no errors really. It just won’t work. Skype continues to tell me that I am over 3G and that it is not possible to make calls.
Tried to reinstall it all and still, doesn’t work.
A friend of mine here at work is facing the same problem. Is there anything we’re missing?
somehow my intelliscreen is also giving problem after upgrading to mobile substrate. After clicking on Apply icon nothing is happening, i just come out of intelliscreen and after doing all the setting i can’t see intelliscreen appearing on my lock screen.
I don’t have (not installed)
———— mAvLock ————
But i have (Installed)
————MobileLog2.2———
@paulo I assume you have edited the voipover3g.plist file and added “com.skype.skype”.
If you haven’t done this already. Here’s how u gotta do it..
SSH iPhone “/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/VoIPover3G.plist”
edit *plist and add “com.skype.skype”,
Once u have edited the above file things shud work fine.. Lemme knw if u have already done this and are still facing the problem.
@vnaya in your previous comment you have mentioned that MobileLog2.2 is installed on your iphone. Just delete that file and you should be good to go..Hope that sorts out ur prob..
:( bad news i did that still it is crashing but not this time i am not even in a position to login the skype account
Known extensions or apps that cause skype to crash: mcoolphone, mobilelog, iLog, AdvLock, Hood
You have uninstall this programs, so skype would work on the latest Mobilesubstrate update over wifi or 3G.
Good luck all,
@mminoo cheers mate!!!
@vnaya check whether you have the apps which @mminoo has mentioned. Try uninstalling those apps. Will give u an update if there are other causes for the crash.
@vnaya uninstall intelliscreen. skype with voipover3g has started working for many of them without any crashes after uninstalling intelliscreen.
Wow, Thanx a lot, mine is working well, and I didn’t need to delete a MobileLog 2.2. Maybe i never had it, honestly i don’t know what is it :)
The only question i have (2) When I call somebody it said routing call, ringing. What is that Routing means? I hope will not charge for me.I have an unlimited account with skype, so I can call any number in USA. So what is that “Routing Call” message on the top?
My other question is : it is normal when I call somebody sounds like I’m using a speaker?
Thanx, Attila
@Atesz you get the “routing call” message even while making a skype-skype call. So I can confirm that you aren’t charged. Cheers..
That is the good news :) And a “speaker” problem solved as well, it was loud till the first 2 rings.
Now I just need a flash player on my iphone, and i will sell my laptop ;)
my iphone 3g 8GB is working now flawleslly after I updated to mobilesubstrate 0.9.2805-1..skype over 3G is working now. no crashes.thanks saurik and rohit.
@rence cheers mate! njoy the cool app ;)
I really do like this website,lots of information and guides.This site rocksKind regardsAdmin off http://www.freebiemadness.co.uk
@havok am glad that you like it :)
Hi Rohit -
Not to side track the topic, I had installed skype on my iphone, but the iphone app is not letting me to join the public groups. Is there a way to get around it?
Thanks,
Hi Rohit,
I dont have any mobile substrate file in my Cydia. how I can get it?
Thank you.
Hi Prime! If you have cydia installed on your phone then without a doubt u will hv mobile substrate.. Did you try using the search button at the bottom right corner inside cydia..
1) Enter Cydia 2) Tap on SEARCH 3)Type mobile substrate in the search box and you should be good to go!
I have erased “mcoolphone” and NOW SKYPE WORKS!!!!!!! Thank you very very much, you are a genius!!!
Giorgio
That’s awesome Giorgio..Am glad it did work.. Njoy the app!!!
Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
@JaneRadriges You are most welcome Jane :)