Get started with Skype App SDK development

This section shows how to get started developing mobile applications with the Skype App SDK. It also provides guidance on using the Skype App SDK samples.

Download the Skype App SDK

The SDKs for iOS and Android are available for download from Microsoft.

• Skype for Business App SDK - iOS
• Skype for Business App SDK - Android

Note

We maintain a set of App SDK samples for Android and iOS on GitHub. These samples are configured to use the App SDK and are ready to run. See the readme.md in each of these samples for instructions.

Configure your project for the Skype for Business App SDK

You can start coding with the App SDK after you complete the following configuration tasks for your platform.

iOS configuration steps

1. Add embedded binary: In XCode, select the project node and open the project properties pane. Add SkypeForBusiness.framework as an "Embedded Binary" (not a "Linked Framework").

Note

The SDK comes with a binary for use on physical devices (recommended) and a binary for running the iOS simulator (limited because audio and video function won't work correctly). The binaries have the same name but are in separate folders. To run your app on a device, navigate to the location where you downloaded the App SDK and select the SkypeForBusiness.framework file in the AppSDKiOS folder. To run your app in a simulator, select the SkypeForBusiness.framework file in the AppSDKiOSSimulator folder.

2. Add the Conversation Helper into your project (optional): The SDK comes with an optional "conversation helper" class that can be used to integrate Skype Audio/Video chat feature into your application. These helper classes simplify interaction with the core APIs in mainline scenarios. To use these, add SfBConversationHelper.h/SfBConversationHelper.m files from the Helpers folder in your SDK download into your app's source code.

Note

To add text chat feature in your application, you can refer ChatHandler helper class in our iOS sample apps. ChantHandler class works similar to conversation helper class and can be used to facilitate text chat integration.

3. Make sure Enable Bitcode option is set to NO in your iOS project. In the Project Navigator, select your project, go to the Editor pane, select Project -> Build Settings -> select All tab -> Build Options -> Enable Bitcode = NO

4. Add description of required permissions to the application’s Info.plist (use appropriate messages):

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Access to the camera is required for making video calls.</string>
<key>NSContactsUsageDescription</key>
<string>Access to your address book is required for making calls to contacts.</string>
<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
<string>Access to the microphone is required for making calls.</string>

5. Configure AVAudioSession before attempting to use audio:

let audioSession = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
try audioSession.setCategory(AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord, withOptions: [.AllowBluetooth, .MixWithOthers, .DuckOthers])
try audioSession.setMode(AVAudioSessionModeVoiceChat)

6. Configure background modes to allow continuing an audio call while application is in background. Add Audio and VoIP.

Android configuration steps

1. Copy the contents of the AppSDKAndroid folder into your project: Copy from your App SDK download folder into the libs folder of your project module.

2. Add the Conversation Helper into your project (optional): The SDK comes with an optional "conversation helper" class that simplifies interaction with the core APIs in mainline scenarios. To use it, add SfBConversationHelper.java from the Helpers folder in your App SDK download into your app's source code.

3. Update the Conversation Helper package name: If using the conversation helper, set it to match your app's own package name.

4. Add the SDK libraries to the module Gradle dependencies struct:

Note

Be sure to include the compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar']) statement.

dependencies {
  compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusinessNative", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusinessPlatform", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusiness", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusinessTelemetryService", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusinessNativeEnums", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusinessTelemetryClient", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "SkypeForBusinessInjector", ext: 'aar')
  compile(name: "android-database-sqlcipher", ext: 'aar')
  
}

4. Add app permissions: Add uses-permission tags to the project AndroidManifest.xml file.

  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
  <uses-permission
      android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"
      tools:node="replace" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_MULTICAST_STATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.AUTHENTICATE_ACCOUNTS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.VIBRATE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CALL_PHONE" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CONTACTS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_SYNC_STATS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_SYNC_SETTINGS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_SYNC_SETTINGS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BROADCAST_STICKY" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_LOGS" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW" />
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_PROFILE" />

  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

Note

Subsequent versions of the SDK will eliminate any unneccessary permissions.

Configure your Android application as a MultiDex application

The libraries that support the Android Skype for Business App SDK include a large number of methods. If the total number of methods in your application - including the App SDK methods - exceed 64,000, then you must configure your app as a MultiDex application. To enable a basic MultiDex configuration, you'll add options to your module build.gradle file and the top level application class.

MultiDex support in build.gradle

1. Change the defaultConfig structure in your module build.gradle file. Add multiDexEnabled true to the structure.

       defaultConfig {
           applicationId 'com.microsoft.office.sfb.samples.healthcare'
           minSdkVersion 17
           targetSdkVersion 22
           versionCode 2
           versionName "2.1"
           multiDexEnabled true
       }
   

2. Add a dexOptions structure to the module build.gradle file.

       dexOptions {
        preDexLibraries=false
        jumboMode = true
        javaMaxHeapSize "4g"
    }
   

Extend your application class as a MultiDexApplication

1. If your application does not have a class that extends the Application class, you must create one. Before you add an application class to your module, update your AndroidManifest.xml Application node to include the attribute, android:name="<YOUR PACKAGE NAME>.<YOUR APPLICATION CLASS NAME>">

2. Create or update your application class to extend MultiDexApplication. Be sure to override the attachBaseContext method.

package com.microsoft.office.sfb.healthcare;

import android.content.Context;
import android.support.multidex.MultiDex;
import android.support.multidex.MultiDexApplication;

public class SkypeApplication extends MultiDexApplication{
    @Override
    protected void attachBaseContext(Context base) {
        super.attachBaseContext(base);
        MultiDex.install(this);
    }
}

Next steps

Now that you've configured your project to code against the App SDK API, learn how to get the URL of a Skype for Business meeting and then use the API to enable your mobile app to join the meeting:

In most cases, use a meeting Url to join a meeting anonymously. Otherwise, you'll need to use a Trusted Application API-enabled service application to get the Discover Url and anonymous meeting token. Your mobile app will call the service application to get these resources before joining a meeting. To learn more about this, see Use the App SDK and the Trusted Application API to join an Online meeting - Android or Use the App SDK and the Trusted Application API to join an Online meeting - iOS. The following table shows you what resources to use for your SfB deployment scenario.

Skype for Business topology	Enable preview features enabled	Enable preview features disabled	Meeting join resource
CU June 2016	Chat, AV	Chat only	Meeting Url
CU November 2016	Chat, AV	Chat, AV	Meeting Url
SfB Online	Chat, AV	n/a	Meeting Url
SfB Online	n/a	Chat, AV	Discover Uri, Anon Token

• Get a meeting URL
• Use the SDK to join a meeting with an Android device
• Use the App SDK and the Trusted Application API to join an Online meeting - Android
• Use the SDK to join a meeting with an iOS device

See also

• App SDK samples
• Submit your questions, bugs, feature requests, and contributions