Unable to install Skype on Debian Jessie 64 bit

Question

I am unable to install Skype on Debian Jessie (64 bit). I have already enables i386 architecture . The issue is with the installation of the package libqtwebkit4:i386:

rsiwal@rsiwal-jessie:~$ sudo gdebi Downloads/skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb 
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree        
Reading state information... Done
Building data structures... Done 
Building data structures... Done 
This package is uninstallable
Cannot install 'libqtwebkit4:i386'
rsiwal@rsiwal-jessie:~$ sudo apt-get install libqtwebkit4:i386
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 libpam-systemd : Depends: systemd (= 215-8) but 208-8 is to be installed
 udev : Breaks: systemd (< 215-1) but 208-8 is to be installed
E: Error, pkgProblemResolver::Resolve generated breaks, this may be caused by held packages.

Answer 1

Skype is not supported in Debian. This is why it is not contained in any of the repos (you were wondering, weren't you?).

The Debian Wiki page about Skype strongly encourages you to use one of the FOSS alternatives, like ekiga.

The same page, however, also contains some info on how to install skype on Debian systems. It even contains the following lines about your specific problem.

Question: Why can I not install libqtwebkit4:i386?

Answer: If apt-get is not able to install libqtwebkit4:i386 as dependency, try installing with aptitude, if you know what are you doing.

You probably need the version skype-debian_2.2.0.35-1_amd64.deb, as newer versions have problems associated with PulseAudio. One can edit the deb package to fix the dependencies for Wheezy. The control file should have:

Depends: libstdc++6 (>= 4.1.1-21), libasound2 (>> 1.0.14), libc6 (>= 2.13-1), libgcc1 (>= 1:4.1.1-21)

If I were in your shoes, I would try ekiga. And, BTW, it's Debian Jessie.

Answer 2

Use the dynamic version from skype.com. The debian version skype provides isn't compatible any more.

Answer 3

I had all sort of issues with this and did get the 32-bit version of Skype working for a while, but then had more issues when I tried to install some multimedia software... so in the end I did this:

(FYI, I am running Debian Jessie (64bit), and Gnome 3.)

I downloaded skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2 ("Dynamic" in dropdown menu) from here: http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/

Then I unpacked the file and did the following:

• Copy the *skype binary to /usr/bin/
• Copy the skype.desktop file to /usr/share/applications/
• Copy the icons to /usr/share/pixmaps/ (and rename one to skype.png)
• Copy (or move) the remaining files to /usr/share/skype (create the skype folder if needed)

And that's it... Skype should now be available from the menu.

Worked for me.

Answer 4

Its because of some library dependency, and whenever you face this issue you will need to use the same command and it will be surely solved. Same will be happen with the TeamViewer. In short whenever the dependency issue occur with sudo dpkg -i package.deb

Just use below command to install all the dependencies forcefully :::)))

sudo apt-get -f install

Answer 5

Use below commands to make it, I have just installed the skype in my system.

first download skype from below link: http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb

Then add i386 architecture on your system using below command and update the packages as well:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

sudo apt-get update

Then go to download directory and use these commands:

sudo dpkg -i skype-debian_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb

sudo apt-get -f install

Answer 6

You are using i386, that's 32 bit. You have to use 64 bit.

Run: apt-get install -f or dpkg --reconfigure