How to Start a Group Video Call or Meeting in Skype

by Sameed Khan · April 23, 2020

With a lockdown in effect in many countries due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many are continuing their work or education from home. Communication is still essential to keep the wheels turning, however, and sometimes, instant messaging just doesn’t cut it.

That’s where video calling comes in, and it is especially pertinent when your planning a group meeting. One option for the home-bound is Skype’s group video calling feature. Here’s how it works.

Start a Group Video Call or Meeting in Skype

What’s the Participant Limit in a Skype Video Call?

Based on your requirement, you may need to consider how many people a Skype video call can accommodate. At the time of writing, the maximum number of people that can be invited to a Skype video call is 50.

You won’t be able to see all 50 participants on your screen at the same time, but you can rearrange visible video panels during the call.

How to Host a Group Video Call in Skype

1. Launch Skype and sign in if you haven’t already.

2. Tap the new call icon in the top right corner (the one shaped like a pencil and paper).

3. Select Meet Now.

4. Tap the Share invite button.

How to invite people to a group Skype video call

5. Select Copy from the options that follow.

6. Paste the copied invitation in an email or text message to share it with your intended invitees.

7. Tap Start call to begin.

The invitation contains a link that will take your invitees directly to your video call. All your invitees need to do is install Skype on their computer or mobile device and click this link to join the call. Invitees without Skype accounts will be given the option to join the call as guests, though they will, of course, need to have the app installed.

After you’ve left the call, your video call group stays intact, allowing you to restart the call at any time without having to invite everyone again. If you do find the need to invite more people, simply select the group from the Chats tab, tap the title of the group, then select Copy link to clipboard or hit Add people to invite people from your Skype contacts list.