What is the Skype for Business app? 

Skype for Business

Using Skype for Business, you can use your computer to interact with colleagues and contacts in various ways. But what about times when you’re out of the office, or your computer and phone are inaccessible due to power supply interruptions? You can install the Skype for Business mobile app to your mobile device (phone or tablet) then use the device as a portable version of your office phone.

This means that you can continue to make and receive voice calls, send instant messages and emails, and even participate in video calls – as long as you have a wireless or mobile data connection.

NOTE:
The Skype for Business mobile app is available for Android 4.0 or higher, iOS 8.0 or higher and Windows Phone 8.1 or higher. For all earlier operating systems, use the Microsoft Lync Mobile app.

What are the benefits?

  • Cost of calls: If your IP phone is offline due to power cuts, simply use the Skype for Business app to dial another UCT staff member's extension.
    • Free calls on eduroam: If you're on eduroam at UCT, calls won't cost you a cent. If you're travelling and need to phone a colleague back here at UCT, those calls will also be free as long as you're using your Skype for Business app and phoning from a local or international university that uses eduroam.
    • Charges apply: If you don't have access to eduroam or free WiFi, you'll need to use mobile data - incurring your service provider's data rates - not their call rates. 
    • Stay in touch when travelling: If you're travelling (whether locally or abroad), family and colleagues can dial your UCT office number and the call will be routed to you - wherever you are in the world. You won't need to use international roaming or pay hefty bills because these calls will be charged at local rates (i.e. Cape Town to Cape Town charges).
  • Contact colleagues easily: Sync your UCT contacts to the Skype for Business app, giving you quick access to all your work-related colleagues. You can then communicate with them - either individually or in a group - via voice calls, instant messaging, email or even video calls.
  • Never miss a call: The app shows you any calls you may have missed, and also gives you direct access to your voicemail.

How to use the app

Install and sign in
  1. Open your app store, find and install the Skype for Business app.
  2. Accept the terms and conditions.
  3. Use these details to sign in:
    • Sign-in Address: username@ipt.uct.ac.za
    • Password: UCT password
    • User Name*: username@wf.uct.ac.za
      *You may need to tap Advanced Options to access the User Name field.
  4. Tap 
    advance
    Advance.
  5. Enter your cell phone number using the international format (e.g. +27 83 123 4567) then tap
    advance
    Advance.
Set up call forwarding
  1. Tap
    status
     Status.
  2. Tap Call forwarding then configure call forwarding as required:
    • Disable call forwarding: No call forwarding
    • Forward calls: Forward calls to voicemail or your cell phone
    • Simultaneously ring: Calls will ring on your office phone and your smart phone
  3. In the Apply settings section, select when call forwarding should be active.
  4. Go back.
Contact someone
On your contact list
  1. Tap 
    contacts
    Contacts.
  2. Search or scroll to find the relevant contact.
  3. Select the relevant icon to communicate with the person:
    • instant messaging icon
       Instant Messaging
    • voice call icon
       Voice Call
    • video call icon
       Video Call (*requires strong data connection)
    • person’s email address for email
Not on your contact list
  1. Tap 
    keypad icon
    Keypad.
  2. Dial the person's number.
  3. Tap 
    call icon
     Call.

Note: Voice calling is the only communication method available when contacting people who aren’t on your contact list.

Group conversation
  1. Start an Instant Message conversation with one contact.
  2. Tap
    options icon
     Options.
  3. Select Add participants.
  4. Find and select another participant.
  5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 to add other participants.
  6. To change the conversation to a voice or video call, tap the relevant icon in the footer bar.
Use mobile data when WiFi signal is weak or unavailable

When using this option, you will incur your service provider's data rates.

  1. Tap
    status
     Status.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Voice Settings and select VoIP over WiFi only.
  4. For video calls, set Require WiFi for video calls to Off.
  5. Go back.
  6. In your mobile device settings, turn mobile data On.

Help and documentation

android icon
Android Online help
iPhone Online help
iPad Online help
Windows phone icon
Windows Phone Online help