Difference Between Invisible Status & Offline Status for Skype

By Matt Koble

Skype has a number of statuses to let people on your contacts list know whether you're available or not, and both the Invisible and Offline statuses make it appear to other users like you're not on Skype. However, while you can still use Skype in Invisible mode, the program's features are restricted when you use the Offline status.


Setting your status to Invisible is like pretending no one is home when you hear a knock on the door. With this status, you appear to be offline when someone sees your name in their contacts list, but you can still place and receive text, voice and video messages or calls.


When using this status, you're essentially not on Skype. This is the status Skype shows when you actually sign off. While you can set your status to Offline within the program, doing so prevents you from sending or receiving text, voice or video calls and messages.