After more than two decades of connecting people across the globe, Skype is officially shutting down on May 5, 2025. Microsoft, which acquired the popular Voice over IP (VoIP) platform in 2011, is encouraging users to transition to its newer communication app — Microsoft Teams.
Whereas Skype is now forgotten, the platform remained popular with users. Microsoft reports that more than 36 million individuals were using it each day to stay connected with friends, family, and workmates. But with the company concentrating its efforts on Teams, Skype is being retired for good.
THE RISE AND THE FALL
Skype was released in 2003 and changed the nature of web-based communication, becoming one of the most well-known video calling brands. It gained popularity for providing free video and voice calls over the web when such functionalities were deemed premium.
Microsoft saw promise and bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The tech giant over the years made several efforts to revamp and reintegrate this social media platform into its larger ecosystem — from Windows and Xbox to even testing out features such as Skype Clips and AI integration through Copilot.
But Skype floundered in trying to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for video calling skyrocketed, the platform eventually lost the momentum. Instead, Microsoft focused on Microsoft Teams, a platform that later developed into an all-around go-to collaboration solution for businesses and individuals.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
In a recent blog, Microsoft announced that it will be decommissioning Skype on May 5, 2025, and is making it simple for customers to move to Microsoft Teams (Free).
Here’s what customers need to know:
- Seamless Transition: Microsoft will soon enable existing users to log in to Teams with their current Skype credentials.
- Automatic Migration: After login, chats and contacts will be automatically migrated, so users will be able to continue conversations without interruption.
- Cross-Platform Communication: Throughout the transition phase, Teams and Skype users will still be able to communicate with each other through calls and messages.
- Credits and Subscriptions: Existing Skype subscribers can keep on using their subscriptions and credits up to the next renewal. The Skype Dial Pad will still be available through the Skype web portal and the Teams app for paying customers.
- Data Export: Not interested in making the change to Teams? Microsoft also offers choices to export your chat, contacts, and call log prior to the shutdown.
HOW TO MOVE TO MICROSOFT TEAMS?
If you’re willing to make the switch, here’s how you can begin:
- Install Microsoft Teams (Free) on your device — it’s accessible on desktop, web, and mobile.
- Sign in with your Skype credentials.
- After signing in, you’ll see your current chats and contact list already imported.
- Begin using Teams to chat, call, and collaborate — just as you did on Skype, but with added features and support.
CONCLUSION
Skype’s been on a long and storied journey, but that journey comes to an end. Though no longer the headline product it was once known for being, its legacy remains alive and well — fueling Microsoft Teams’ foundational building blocks.
For customers, this switch opens a new page. As Microsoft makes the transition as painless as possible, now is the time to discover what Teams can do for you — whether you’re an occasional user or serious collaborator.
So, if you’re still on Skype, don’t wait until the last minute — May 5 is already looming.
