(To see this right-click on your profile picture in Skype)
What it means -
You're not signed into Skype on any device.
To your contacts, the last time your status was set to active or do not disturb is shown under your chat header as Last seen - days, hours, or minutes ago.
How this status gets set -
Set automatically when you sign out or aren't active for an extended period of time.
What it means -
You are online and available to contact.
How this status gets set -
Set automatically when you first sign in.
You'll remain active on your desktop when Skype is running in the background and you're using your keyboard or mouse, and on your mobile device when Skype is running in the foreground.
What it means -
You just stepped away for a bit.
How this status gets set -
Set automatically when you were last active between 3 minutes, and 1 hour ago.
What it means -
You've been inactive for an hour or more.
How this status gets set -
Set automatically when you were last active an hour ago. You can also set your status to appear away anytime you want.
What it means -
You don't want to be disturbed. Contacts can still call and send messages, but you won't be alerted with sound.
If you want to receive in-app chat or call notifications while your status is set to do not disturb, you can manage your notifications on mobile or desktop.
How this status gets set -
You can set your status to do not disturb anytime you want.
What it means -
Your presence status is hidden so that you appear to be offline but calls and messages aren't blocked.
To your contacts, the last time your status was set to active or do not disturb is shown under your chat header as Last seen - days, hours, or minutes ago.
How this status gets set -
You can set your status to invisible anytime you want.
video call | audio call | group call
I have done some extra checks on Skype which, while interesting, do not seem to fit precisely with our problem of sender seeing only themselves.
Sender chooses video call and receiver clicks audio call.
Sender sees only themselves.
Receiver sees sender in live view.
Receiver prompted (briefly) to switch video on so sender can see them.
Sender chooses audio call and receiver clicks video call.
Sender's view is a live view of themselves.
Receiver sees a live view of sender and there is a brief screen message prompting them to switch on the video so the sender can see them.