Microsoft has confirmed when Skype will shut down. This announcement affects millions of users worldwide who will need to transition to alternative platforms in the coming year.
The American tech titan has announced its videoconferencing application – which launched in August 2003 – will retire on Monday, May 5, 2025. Skype has been a cornerstone of online communication for nearly 22 years, facilitating countless conversations across personal and business environments.
It comes as it wants users to shift to its modern Teams (free) platform – which offers the same service. Microsoft Teams has seen significant growth since its launch, becoming one of the company’s flagship communication tools in recent years.
Skype users will be able to move over to for free and can sign into the software on any supported device using their Skype account. Teams is available across multiple operating systems and devices, ensuring broad accessibility for users making the transition.
With this, their chats and contacts will automatically be transferred over. The migration process utilizes Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, designed to handle massive data transfers while maintaining user privacy and data integrity.
For those who wish to not use Teams (free), they have the option for their chats, contacts, and call history to be exported. This capability allows users to preserve years of communication history and take their data with them to other platforms if desired.
“The way we communicate has evolved significantly over the years. From instant messaging to video calls, technology has continuously transformed how we connect with each other,” Jeff Teper, president, collaborative apps and platforms, said in a blog post. Communication technology has undergone dramatic changes, especially with the rise of remote work and digital collaboration in recent years.
“In order to streamline our free consumer communications offerings so we can more easily adapt to customer needs, we will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), our modern communications and collaboration hub. This strategic consolidation reflects Microsoft’s vision for unified communications going forward.
“As we take this next step with Teams, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. We look forward to continuing to support people’s everyday connections.” Teams features include AI-powered capabilities that enhance the communication experience beyond traditional video calling.
He continued: “Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey. Since its inception, Skype has connected people worldwide, helping bridge distances between families, friends, and colleagues.
“We also understand that change can be challenging and want you to know that we’re here to support you every step of the way. Microsoft has invested heavily in customer support resources to assist with this transition, including comprehensive help documentation and support channels.
“We’re excited about the new opportunities that Teams brings and are committed to helping you stay connected in new and meaningful ways.” Teams incorporates numerous integrated applications and services, providing an expanded feature set compared to Skype’s more focused communication tools.
This transition marks the end of an era for one of the internet’s pioneering communication platforms. Skype revolutionized international calling by making it accessible and affordable compared to traditional phone services. The service was acquired by Microsoft in 2011, representing one of the company’s major strategic acquisitions of that time.
Industry analysts note that this move aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to unify its productivity and communication tools under the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The company has steadily integrated new features into Teams, including translation, transcription, and meeting summaries, capabilities that enhance the overall user experience.
For business users who relied on Skype for Business, Microsoft completed that transition to Teams in July 2021, giving the company valuable experience in managing large-scale platform migrations. Educational institutions and healthcare providers have been among the notable adopters of Teams, using the platform for virtual classrooms and administrative communication.
The announcement gives users more than a year to prepare for the transition, allowing time to become familiar with Teams or export their data to alternative platforms. Microsoft’s detailed migration plan demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensuring minimal disruption for their user base during this significant platform change.
