Skype may have recently launched a major update to its Skype for iPhone app, but one rather basic feature went missing – the ability to listen to voice messages. A subsequent update to Skype for iPhone 5.1 still hasn’t fixed the problem.
In a support thread on the Skype site, community manager Claudius provided what must qualify as one of the most unhelpful response ever to complaints by users:
Voice message playback is not supported in Skype 5.0 for iPhone. Please use Skype on another platform to listen to your voice messages …
While there is no official way to downgrade back to version 4, where voicemail is supported, one user posted the following instructions for a clunky workaround. This will, however, only work for those who backup to their Mac rather than to iCloud:
- On my Mac which syncs with this phone, went to the folder containing the Skype .ipa file (i.e. Music->iTunes->iTunes Media->Mobile Applications)
- Using Time Machine (backup) went into backup and located a backup from 2 weeks ago that had the last version 4 release (version number is 4.17.135) and restored this to the applications folder on the Mac.
- Deleted the current release from my iOS device and from iTunes list of apps.
- Dragged the “Skype 4.17.135.ipa” file back into iTunes.
- Synced the phone with iTunes.
So far Microsoft has not responded to comments in the thread pointing out the absurdity of an update which removes such a basic feature.
Update: A Skype spokesperson provided the following comment regarding the issue…
“We introduced several new features as soon as they were ready with Skype 5.1 for iPhone. We’re already hard at work addressing your additional feedback so we can bring you more features in order to provide the best possible experience for our users. As always, please keep the feedback coming and help us create the best Skype experience for you.”
Update 7/7/14: Today Skype shared in a blog post that version 5.2 will reintroduce voice message support.
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Patience. that’s the key, dear author.
Why using MS products….
The headline of this article does not fit the content. The headline asks “Why” but the article only provides a weak “What.” I found reading the article disappointing based on expectations brought about via the headline.
It asks “Why won’t” rather than why.
It’s most likely due to Microsoft playing politics with the iPhone customer base. Like Skype? Paying customer even? Get a Windows handset.
There really isn’t any other reason why someone at Microsoft communications would provide such an answer. It’s not like this statement wasn’t vetted by both the skype team and their executive management.
Here’s the Why: Microsoft is trying to make NSA access even better.
Haha, you look handsome in that tinfoil hat you’re wearing!
This is bad news for the 50 people who use iPhones to listen to skype voicemails
It’s only the beginning. I fully expect that SKYPE calls to telephones will be lost in future updates and that iOS users will only be able to make SKYPE to SKYPE calls. From there video will become limited requiring a specific Microsoft CODEC that won’t be available on iOS or Mac… and so on. This has all happened before and will happen again.
Yep. Skype is terrible anyway.
very much true. i was comparing overseas video calls made with skype and facetime lately. facetime seems to be much more reliable. with skype video quality drops dramatically after several minutes. never with facetime. the only drawback is screen size of facetime call if made from mac
Typical MS Douchebaggery!
At least there is an iOS client for Skype. When will there be a Windows client for iMessage?
Are you joking? Skype didn’t start as a Microsoft product. And Microsoft also wants OSX and iOS users on Skype…
Skype sucks anyway honestly… Every time I log in to Skype on my phone I get 500 alerts for all the messages I’ve already seen. And when I’m logged in to both I still get notifications on both, often very late on my phone and in bunched (so 20-30 notifications at a time – great if I wanted to use my phone as a vibrator.)
It’s absurdly bad. I really just want Skype to go away.
MS had a similar thing with messenger, that Mac app was always a version or two behind the Windows one resulting in less features of course. May be they are trying the same stunt.