Skype now supports calling 911 from your PC in the United States

A recent update to Skype adds support for calling emergency services in the United States if you’re on a PC.

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What you need to know

Microsoft recently shipped an update for the desktop version of Skype that adds support foremergency calling in the United States. Skype users can now call 911 and share their location information with emergency operators through their PCs. The same update also allows voice messages of up to five minutes and adds a handful of other new features.

Skype also supports calling emergency services from the desktop in Australia, Denmark, Finland, and the UK. The communication app supports amuch longer list of countrieswhen it comes to contacting emergency services from mobile devices.

The addition of emergency calling support on the desktop came as part of an update that brings the app to version 8.80. Here’s thechangelog:

Microsoft outlines the limitations of emergency calling support in asupport document. Notably, you may need to allow location sharing to use the feature.

Skype is a popular communication app that lets you message and call people around the world. Now, it supports calling emergency services in the United States from a PC.

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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.