End-to-end encryption protects your sensitive Skype text messages, VoIP calls and more from eavesdropping. Here’s what you need to know about setting up and using this optional feature, called Private Conversations, inSkype’s iPhone,iPadandMac app.
Private Conversations on Skype
When you chat privately with a Skype friend, everything you exchange in the chat is end-to-en encryptedusingthe industry standard Signal Protocol by Open Whisper Systems.
The following items are encrypted:
Your recipient must first accept a Private Conversations invitation before you can chat securely in a manner that prevents Skype, Microsoft and third parties from decrypting user content.
Encrypted messages are stored up to 30 days to support offline messaging.
Private Conversations are available across Skype apps for Android 6 and iOS devices and in the desktop clients for Windows, Linux and Mac computers.
For more information about Private Conversations on Skype,read this support document.
Private Conversations: unique features
To reiterate, the following features are unique to Private Conversations
Before you may use Private Conversations in Skype, be sure to update your installed copy of the app to the most recent version by tapping the Updates tab in App Store.
On desktop Skype, chooseCheck for Updatesfrom the menu.
Here’s how to use this handy security-minded feature in Skype for iPhone.
How to use Skype’s Private Conversations
You can start a Private Conversations in two ways.
First, you’re able to choose to kick off a Private Conversation session with a contact right from the compose menu. Alternatively, the same option is available through their Skype profile.
The instructions below detail using this feature in both Skype’s iOS and macOS apps.
Private Conversations in Skype for iPhone and iPad
Starting Private Conversations from the compose menu
1)OpenSkypeon your iPhone or iPad.
2)Tap theComposebutton in the upper-right corner.
3)Select the optionPrivate Conversationson the next screen.
4)Choose a specificSkype contactfrom suggestions, Skype’s address book or use the search field to find a person you’d like to conduct an end-to-end encrypted chat with.
Keep in mind that this invitation is valid for 7 days. If they do not accept before then, the invite will expire and you will need to send another one.
After they accept the invite, Skype will create an end-to-end encrypted connection between the two devices. This will ensure that all calls, messages and other content in that conversation is encrypted end-to-end until you switch the chat to another device or choose to end it.
To quickly and seamlessly switch between your non-encrypted conversation with a Skype friend and the Private Conversation session, tap eitherSkypeorPrivateat the top of the chat list, as shown on the screenshot seen right above.
Starting Private Conversations from Skype profiles
2)Tap theContactstab at the bottom.
3)Tap and hold aSkype contacton the list in order to start an encrypted chat with them, then chooseView Profilefrom the popup menu.
4)ChooseStart Private Conversationfrom their profile.
You’ll see a message if you’re already chatting with this persons privately on another device.
Private Conversations in Skype for Mac
1)LaunchSkypeon your Mac.
2)Click the button labeled+Chatnear the top of your contact list on the left.
3)ChooseNew Private Conversationfrom the popup menu.
4)Select aSkype contactto chat with securely.
When the other side has accepted your Private Conversations invitation, you will be able to communicate over Skype in a safe manner with all of the calls, messages, photos, videos and other content exchanged in that conversation securely encrypted end-to-end.
Switch between the regular chat and the end-to-end encrypted conversation by clicking theSkypeorPrivatetab at the top of the chat window.
2)Right-click a desiredSkype contact, then chooseView Profile.
3)ClickStart Private Conversation.
And that’s all there’s to it, folks!
Switching devices for Private Conversations
While you may switch an active Private Conversation to another device at any time, but your existing previous end-to-end encrypted exchanges from that chat won’t be synchronized between devices.
Again, this is due to how end-to-end encryption works.
If you start an encrypted chat with the same person you’ve already engaged with in a Private Conversations on another device, Skype will put up a warning saying that “Private Conversations may only be secured on one device at a time”.
Just hitContinue Conversationto continue chatting on that device.
Ending a Private Conversation
To end the current private chat, do the following:
1)Hit thechat headerat the top.
2)ChooseChat Settings.
3)SelectEnd Private Conversation, then chooseEnd Conversation.
To start another private chat with this contact, send them a new invite.
Deleting a Private Conversation
To delete a Private Conversation, do the following:
3)SelectDelete Private Conversation, then chooseDelete.
Doing so will remove your this chat’s private messages from your device. You will be able to start this Private Conversation later without needing to send a new invitation.
Starting a private call
You can also start an end-to-end encrypted Skype call:
1)First, start a newPrivate Conversationor select an existing one.
2)Hit thePrivatetab at the top of your conversation.
3)Hit thePrivate Callbutton on your Mac.
In the iOS app, simply tap the chat header and choose the optionStart Private Call. Keep in mind that end-to-end encrypted calls can only be initiated from an existing Private Conversation.
If you’re interested to learn more about the Private Conversations feature, including the technical details about its implementation,read Skype’s white paper.
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