Microsoft has announced that it will officially discontinue Skype on May 5, 2025, bringing an end to the once-dominant video-calling platform after more than two decades of service. The decision marks a significant strategic pivot as Microsoft aims to consolidate its consumer communication tools under the Microsoft Teams (free) brand.
Launched in 2003, Skype was a trailblazer in video and voice communication, helping shape the way people connected across the globe. However, in recent years, its relevance declined as platforms like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom gained popularity—accelerated further by Teams’ own explosive growth.
“We will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), our modern communications and collaboration hub,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.
Seamless Transition to Teams
Microsoft reassured Skype users that the transition to Teams would be straightforward. Users can log into Teams using their existing Skype credentials, with access to chat history, contacts, and call records preserved. Teams supports all major Skype functions—like messaging, one-on-one and group calls, and file sharing—while offering added capabilities like calendar integration, community-building features, and virtual meetings.
Microsoft also reported that consumer usage of Teams has quadrupled in terms of meeting minutes over the past two years, suggesting strong adoption and user engagement.
What Happens to Paid Skype Services?
While new purchases of Skype Credit or calling subscriptions have been suspended, existing users can still use their credits via Teams. Skype’s Dial Pad will remain available through the Skype web portal and within Microsoft Teams, ensuring continuity for users with ongoing needs.
Users not wishing to migrate can export their data, including chat histories and contacts.
A Farewell to a Communications Icon
In its farewell, Microsoft acknowledged Skype’s cultural and technological impact:
“Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments.”
The move reflects Microsoft’s broader trend of streamlining platforms under the Teams umbrella, a tool that has increasingly become central to both workplace and personal communication.
