Microsoft has announced it will shut down Skype on May 5th, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant video calling platform.
The tech giant will transition users to the free consumer version of Microsoft Teams, aiming to consolidate its communication services under one platform.
Existing Skype users will be able to log into Microsoft Teams using their current credentials, with their message history, group chats, and contacts automatically transferred. Alternatively, users can export their data — including photos and conversation history — if they choose not to move to Teams.
“We want to give users control,” said Jeff Teper, President of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms. “They can migrate their conversation history and contacts, or move on if they prefer.”
Notably, Microsoft is also phasing out Skype’s telephony features. Users will no longer be able to call domestic or international phone numbers or mobile lines — a shift the company says reflects changing technology trends. “Voice over IP and cheaper mobile data plans have reduced the need for traditional phone calls,” explained Amit Fulay, Microsoft’s Vice President of Product.
Skype credits and subscriptions will remain valid in Teams until their next renewal period, but new customers will no longer be able to purchase these services. Skype Number users will need to transfer their numbers to another provider, as Microsoft will no longer support this feature.
The move comes nearly 14 years after Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion. Despite a brief resurgence during the pandemic, Skype struggled to keep pace with rivals like Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime.
With this shift, Microsoft aims to focus entirely on Teams, which has grown steadily since its 2020 launch. “The world has moved on,” Teper said. “Now, we’re doubling down on Teams — for work and life.”
Skype users will begin seeing prompts to switch to Teams in the coming weeks.
