- Microsoft announced that it will discontinue Skype in May 2025 after 21 years of operation
- Users are encouraged to migrate to Teams, which will now serve as Microsoft’s primary communication platform
- Monthly Skype plans will be discontinued, but unused Skype credits can still be used within Teams
Microsoft has announced that it will officially discontinue Skype, its long-running communication platform, in May 2025.
This marks the end of an era for the pioneering voice and video calling service that has been in operation for over two decades.
The decision was confirmed by Jeff Teper, Microsoft’s President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms, during an interview with CNBC.
According to Teper, the move is aimed at simplifying Microsoft’s communication tools and accelerating innovation within Microsoft Teams.
“We’ve learned a lot from Skype over the years and integrated many of those insights into Teams. Now, we believe the best way forward is to focus entirely on Teams, making it easier for customers and allowing us to innovate more rapidly,” Teper explained.
As part of this transition, Microsoft will phase out Skype’s monthly subscription plans. However, any remaining Skype credits will still be valid for use within Teams.
Users will soon be able to log into Teams using their existing Skype credentials, ensuring a smooth migration. Contacts, chat history, and other key data will also transfer automatically.
Additionally, Microsoft has assured users that they will have the option to export their Skype data before the shutdown.
Teper acknowledged the significant role Skype played in shaping online communication, saying:
“Skype was a trailblazer in bringing audio and video calls to millions of people worldwide. We are deeply grateful for the impact it has had.”
Skype’s decline can be traced back to its struggle to adapt to the mobile era.
Unlike newer competitors like Zoom and Slack, Skype’s technology was not optimised for smartphones, limiting its usability.
When the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a surge in demand for video conferencing, Microsoft shifted its focus to Teams, integrating it with Office apps to cater to corporate users, a market Skype had dominated in the past.
A look back at Skype’s journey
Founded in 2003 by Estonian entrepreneurs Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström, Skype quickly became a household name.
By 2004, it had amassed 11 million registered users, and its popularity soared.
In 2005, eBay acquired Skype for $2.6 billion, a deal that boosted the platform’s user base to 54 million.
By 2008, Skype had reached 405 million users. However, eBay struggled to integrate Skype with its core business and eventually sold the service to a private investor group in 2009.
Microsoft stepped in two years later, purchasing Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011. Despite integrating Skype into Windows and other Microsoft products, the platform struggled to keep up with more innovative, mobile-friendly alternatives.
Now, after more than two decades, Microsoft is officially retiring Skype, ushering in a new chapter with Teams as its primary communication platform.
Skype users are encouraged to begin transitioning to Teams in the coming days to ensure a seamless shift before the official shutdown. Microsoft is expected to provide further guidance to assist users with the migration process.
Microsoft integrates Copilot, Designer into Microsoft 365 for all subscribers
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Microsoft announced the integration of its AI-powered tools, Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Designer, into its Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscription plans.
The integration reflects Microsoft’s commitment to making advanced productivity and creativity tools affordable and widely available.