If you had a common name, like John Smith, people would have to search through thousands of other users, but the random ID generated for you makes sure there’s only one. With this many users on Skype, simply having a first name and surname isn’t enough to identify most people. Rather than having to think of a username or finding that whatever you’d wanted to use was taken, the ID was a replacement that allowed people to be identified uniquely but still have the option to change their contact name as needed. When Microsoft implemented the random ID generator after it acquired Skype, it was done as a way to get rid of the username issue that people had. Unlike a surname, phone number, or primary email address that can change, this ID number never will, so no matter how your details get modified over the years, this one will stay the same. Having a Skype ID is important as it sets you apart from other users and is a unique identifier for each person using the application.

The code always starts with the word ‘live’ and then the code, and if you’re looking for it in your settings or profile, it’s usually referred to as your Skype name only. The Skype ID that you’re given isn’t so much of a username as it is a random assortment of numbers and letters. When Skype was first released, users were able to make up their own ID with a unique username that was connected to their account, but since Microsoft purchased the platform, it’s now randomly generated for you when you sign up.

A Skype ID is the unique identifier that’s given to you when you create an account with the telecommunications application.

My skype number is