Ubuntu 16.04 - Configure Pidgin for Skype for Business/Lync

It can be pretty frustrating as a Linux user when you are asked to use Micro$oft based tools which never support Linux (unnecessarily in my view). At least with Skype-for-business (formerly Lync and not to be confused with "normal Skype"), we can configure the Pidgin chat client to use the same protocol in order to be available for instant messaging. You won't be able to make VoIP calls though.

Steps

Install the pidgin-sipe extension which we will be using.

sudo apt-get install pidgin-sipe

If pidgin is already running, kill it and restart it after having installed the package.

Start pidgin and click Add...

In the Basic tab, fill in your Username, Password, and optionally, your Local alias. Do not fill in the Login field.

On the Advanced tab, set the User Agent value to:

UCCAPI/16.0.6965.5308 OC/16.0.6965.2117

I used to have this set to UCCAPI/15.0.4420.1017 OC/15.0.4420.1017 (Microsoft Lync), but updated it based on the settings mentioned here.

And leave the other fields as shown below before clicking the Add button.

You will then be shown the Accounts window. If your settings/credentials were correct, the Enabled checkbox by the account you just added should remain checked. If it unchecks itself, then a setting or your login credentials were incorrect.

References

• Ask Ubuntu - Setting PIdgin up for Lync2013