Skype’s Final Call: Microsoft to Shut Down Iconic Service in 2025!

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Summary

  • Skype will be retired on May 5, 2025, with Microsoft focusing on Teams for communication.
  • Microsoft’s shift from Skype to Teams was evident with the introduction of Teams in 2016.
  • Users have 10 weeks to transfer data to Teams and can continue using Skype credits within Teams.

Skype, which has been a trailblazer in internet phone calls for over two decades, is being phased out by Microsoft on May 5, 2025. Instead, Microsoft is directing all of its attention towards Teams. This means that Skype users have only about 10 weeks left to choose their next course of action.

The gradual downfall of Skype has been anticipated for some time now. Microsoft, having taken ownership in 2011, hinted at a change in course in 2016 with the debut of Teams – their platform centered around collaboration, encompassing messaging, video conferencing, and third-party applications. Although Skype for Business was introduced in 2015, the advent of Teams indicated that Microsoft was leaning towards a more expansive cloud communications approach. Initially seen as a rival to Slack, Teams soon became Microsoft’s main tool for workplace communication, boasting an array of integrated functionalities that extensively overlapped with Skype’s key offerings.

It’s uncertain exactly how many people will be affected by the closure on May 5, 2025, which is a significant event for our Skype users and for which we are deeply appreciative. In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Jeff Teper, president of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms, expressed gratitude for user support and acknowledged the valuable insights from Skype that have contributed to Microsoft Teams over the past seven years. As we concentrate on Teams, this focus will allow us to deliver a clearer message and foster faster innovation. From now until May 5, users can transition their contacts and chat data to Microsoft Teams. Moreover, those who prefer to keep their Skype conversations can save them by using the app’s integrated export feature.

When is Skype Shutting Down?

  • Skype is shutting down on May 5, 2025.

Skype became widely used in the 2000s due to its ability to facilitate communication without needing traditional phone services. Yet, it faced challenges in adapting to the mobile age and didn’t experience a major comeback during the pandemic. With a multitude of messaging and calling apps available today, some users may not even realize that Skype is still around. In an interview with CNBC, Jeff Teper, president of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms, shared insights gained from Skype over the years, which have been integrated into Teams as it developed over the last seven to eight years. He also mentioned that the current time is suitable for focusing solely on Teams because it can be more straightforward for users, allowing faster innovation by streamlining efforts.

Starting soon, Microsoft is going to let people log into their Teams platform, which introduced the Work Games app earlier this year, using their Skype login details. This change will effortlessly move over contacts and conversations from Skype. Moreover, users can choose to save a copy of their Skype data. During this transition, Microsoft will stop offering monthly Skype subscriptions; however, any unused Skype credits can still be utilized within Teams. It’s worth noting that as of the information released in 2023, there were approximately 36 million active Skype users, significantly lower than its peak of 300 million.

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2025-02-28 19:24