-->

With Skype for Business, your users can search for and IM with everyone who uses Skype, the free app! This article explains what you need to do so they can add Skype contacts.

Updating contacts from Google Workspace (if you're still using Outlook)—Currently, updating a contact in Google Workspace can cause unexpected results in Outlook, including: A full name in Google Workspace might appear as a first or last name in Outlook. Users can sync email, contacts, calendar events, and Outlook notes, which are then available in Outlook and the Google Workspace web interface. Outlook tasks sync to Google Workspace but only after GWSMO starts. (Email, contacts, and calendar events sync while importing.). Updating contacts from Google Workspace (if you're still using Outlook)—Currently, updating a contact in Google Workspace can cause unexpected results in Outlook, including: A full name in Google Workspace might appear as a first or last name in Outlook. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.

You must have admin permissions in Microsoft 365 or Office 365 to do this.

Using the Skype for Business admin center

1. Sign in with your Microsoft 365 or Office 365 admin account at https://portal.office.com/adminportal/home.

2. In the admin center, go to Admin Centers > Skype for Business.

3. In the Skype for Business admin center, choose Organization > External communications.

4. By default, your users can communicate with all other people in the world who use Skype for Business (assuming your firewall has been configured to allow this).

   If you want your users to chat with Skype users, BUT you don't want them to chat with others who use Skype for Business, choose On only for allowed domains. When you enable contact with Skype users, skype.com is automatically added as an allowed domain behind the scenes.

   If you want to allow contact from all other businesses in the world using Skype for Business, except specific ones, choose On except for blocked domains, and choose + to add those domains. Everyone will be able to contact you except people on those specific domains. (Some businesses might choose this option, for example, if they are in litigation and need to ensure there's no contact with the other business.)

5. Choose Let people use Skype for Business to communicate with Skype users outside your organization.

6. If you're using Windows Firewall, Skype for Business opens the required ports automatically.

   If your organization uses another solution to restrict computers on your network from connecting to the Internet, ensure client computers are able to access all of the IP addresses and URLs for Skype connectivity and Skype Directory Search. This may require adding them to the outbound allow list in your firewall or proxy infrastructure configuration.

7. WAIT UP TO 24 HOURS TO TEST. Any time you change the external communications settings, it can take up to 24 hours for the changes to populate across all the data centers.

8. Show your users how to find and add Skype contacts to their list of Skype for Business contacts. Point them to Search for people in Skype for Business.

Test and troubleshoot

To test your setup, you need a contact on Skype who's not behind your company firewall. They can be signed in to Skype using a Gmail account, Outlook.com account, or other type of email account.

Google Contacts Outlook 2016

1. After you change your external communications settings, WAIT UP TO 24 HOURS TO TEST.

2. Sign out of Skype for Business and then sign in again so you see the option to search the Skype Directory.

3. In Skype for Business, search for your contact in Skype, and send a request to chat.

   If you get the message it couldn't be sent due to company policy, you need to double-check your firewall settings.

4. Another way to test whether the problem is your firewall is to go to a wifi location not behind your firewall such as a coffee shop, and use Skype for Business to send a request to your Skype contact to chat.

   • If you sent your Skype contact a request and they never received it, ask them to send you a request to chat. If the problem was establishing a connection between Skype and Skype for Business, that often solves it.

   • Now if the message goes through at the coffee shop but not when you're at work, then you know the problem is your firewall.

What you can and can't do

• Skype for Business on Mac doesn't have the ability to search for and communicate with Skype contacts.

• When directory search is enabled, you can search for and find Skype and Skype for Business users. If for some reason you can't find them by searching the directory, you can send them a contact request, and then have them sign in to Skype and accept it, so you can IM with them.

• It's not possible to allow IM connectivity with other IM providers such as Google or Facebook. You can't use Skype for Business to send cell phone text messages.

• It is not possible to record audio or video calls between a Skype Contact and Skype for Business contact.

What features are available when adding Skype contacts?

Skype contacts who signed in with their Microsoft account (formerly Windows Live ID) can get some, but not all, features when they are talking to your Skype for Business users.

Tip

New to Office 365?

Discover free video courses for Office 365 admins and IT pros, brought to you by LinkedIn Learning.

Related topics

Featured in USA TODAY and The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris

1. Google Sync Outlook Contacts, Calendar and Tasks
2. Works with Windows Store version of Outlook
3. Fully compatible with Google Batch Endpoint
4. Accurate Free/Busy and Invitation Status
5. Accurate time zones
6. Two way Sync of Calendar Colors
7. Works with Outlook POP3, IMAP, and iCloud Folders
8. 90-Day Money Back Guarantee
9. USA Based Telephone Technical Support
10. One purchase for 3 PCs; work, home and laptop

Google Sync Parent/Child Tasks

2018 - Added Support for Google Tasks App. This includes support Google Sync for Parent/Child tasks.

Switch from G Suite Sync (GASMO) to CompanionLink Google Sync

The problem with G Suite Sync is that it takes over your Outlook folder. Here is a guide to switch back to regular Outlook Folders and Google Sync using CompanionLink

Google Sync Outlook Category Colors

For those that use Calendar Colors in Outlook, here is a guide to sync Outlook Categories with Colors to Google Calendar.

Google Sync Product Comparison

Click on the table for an advanced comparison of vendors for Google Sync with Outlook

Portable License

Your license is for you, not your PC. When you buy a new computer, you do not need to purchase a new license. With CompanionLink you use your email address to register the software on a new computer.

US based company

CompanionLink is located in Portland, Oregon. Our servers are based in New Jersey to take advantage of proximity to international fiber network. Our servers are high technology and really fast!

RunStart and Premium Support

With CompanionLink you can call us at (503)243-5200 for support, Monday through Friday, 7am-3:30pm Pacific Time. For those with special needs, use our RunStart Service gives you a one-time hands on session with a top tier technician. Our technician will log into your computer, set up the sync, and ensure you are completely satisified with the solution. If you want this service regularly, use Premium Support for a full year and up to five service tickets.

1. Install CompanionLink for Google on your PC
2. Enther Google Authorization
3. Set Outlook options
4. Press Ok. Your data will Sync automatically

Setup Guides:
Google Sync for Outlook for Windows PCs
Google Sync for Outlook for Mac
Transition guide from GSSMO and Google Calendar Sync
Share Outlook Calendar using Google
Sync multiple Google Calendars

Google Contacts Outlook Download