Skype is probably the best instant messaging software out there. You have Skype voice calls that allow you to cut down your international calling expenses to a fraction of what you are generally used to. Then, you can instantly find and connect to people from anywhere in the world. There are more such impressive features. To enhance your experience with this app, there are some Skype tricks for Mac that can make your life way easier.

Before starting off, in case you don’t have Skype for Mac, you can access this free official download link. If you are eager to find an even friendlier side of your favorite messaging program, you should definitely check out this list of hacks.

Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts for Skype 

Skype, by default, is not set up very well when it comes to Mac keyboard shortcuts. For example, when you press cmd+w like you probably do with many apps on your Mac, you will find that you have just kicked yourself out of a conversation. You have probably done it before and probably continue to do it, out of sheer, frustrating habit.

Thankfully, you can put a stop to this disruptive experience. Customizing your shortcuts is the first entry in our list of Skype tricks.

How to change keyboard shortcuts for Skype on a Mac:

• Open System Preferences
• Select Keyboard and then Keyboard Shortcuts
• Click on the + sign to add a new keyboard shortcut
• Choose Skype as the application of your choice and then select the menu title that you want to change
• Enter your new keyboard shortcut
• Skype will now respond to your shortcuts, exactly as you want it to do!

Recommended: Optimize and Clean your Mac using CleanMyMac

Use Alerts The Smart Way

Skype alerts, depending on how big your contact list is, can be either a boon or a bane. Most people confessed that Skype alerts could be rather annoying, with that “Blip” sound popping up constantly and unexpectedly. Moreover, such notifications are accompanied by a bright orange bounce that invariably draws the eyes away from maybe what could be important tasks you are working on.

Once again, Skype has given users full control to tweak the nature of these alerts. If you wish, you can customize the alerts so that they continue notifying you about new conversations. However, this time they can obey the command to not disturb you anymore with pop-up notifications from a group chat. Moreover, you can also disable those annoying sounds and even that orange bounce alert if you desire. In the end, it is all up to you.

This is how you can hinder Skype alerts from bothering you any longer:

• Open the preferences tab in Skype
• Choose Notifications
• Select a particular event and then change all the notification preferences, according to your needs
• Other advanced and particular preferences can be changed by going to the “Details” tab, right next to the overview tab
• Enjoy Skype without unnecessary alerts that bothered you in the past!

Launch Skype Automatically as soon as Your Mac Starts

It is easy for people to have Skype start up automatically whenever they activate their Windows PC. At the same time, there is no such auto-setup for a Mac. However, there are a couple of easy steps to enable this feature, yet this time the process is manual. By following the bellow guidelines, you can easily set up Skype in such a way that it opens automatically every time you log in. Here’s how you do it.

• Go to applications
• Select System Preferences
• Select the option entitled Users & Groups
• Select Login Items
• Select the user account that you employ when you log in
• Check or un-check Skype from the list of applications, depending on whether you want Skype to start automatically or not.

Take Advantage of the Favorite Option

There is one cool feature that most people tend to overlook. However, it can turn up being of great use, especially for users who own a generous list of friends and colleagues. This feature is about the Favorite button.

If you have a certain number of persons you are constantly messaging with, you might have grown tired of searching them in your list. Their chat boxes might disappear from the left sidebar if they weren’t among your recent contacts anymore. However, the Favorite button is going to pin them on the left side of your Skype for good. This option appears in shape of a star next to your contact’s profile picture in their private chat box.

Once you selected your first favorite messaging partner, Skype is going to display a new tab. This addition will appear on the left sidebar, above your Recent Contacts. The best part about it is that your favorite contacts will never disappear again and will remain easy to access.

Final Word on Skype Tricks

There you have it! These are what we think to be the best four Skype tricks that can improve your user experience on this Mac messaging app. Of course, there might be more other tips or tricks that you are aware of. If you do, we would love to hear from you. Drop us a line by using the comment box. We will gladly publish your comment and reply to it as well!

Image source: 1, 2, 3