...
By Kate Nalepinski
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Microsoft has announced that Skype will officially retire on May 5, 2025, marking the end of the once-dominant video-calling platform.
The company is suggesting users transition to Microsoft Teams Free, which will replace Skype as a primary communication tool.
Why is Skype Shutting Down?
Skype, which Microsoft acquired for $8.5 billion back in 2011, has struggled to maintain relevance in the face of competition from apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime.
Read More on U.S.
Microsoft had announced plans to retire Skype for Business in 2017 and replace it with Teams. In 2020, it launched a personal version of Teams.
...
Is Microsoft Teams Taking Over Skype?
Starting in March 2025, Skype users will be able to log into Microsoft Teams Free using their existing Skype credentials. Microsoft has assured users that their contacts and message history will be migrated automatically.
Users will have the choice on if they want to migrate conversation history elsewhere by exporting data.
Amit Fulay, vice president of product at Microsoft, told The Verge that users who join Teams will experience a seamless transition.
"We've already done the work on the back end to restore their contacts, message history, and call logs," Fulay said.
While Teams Free will offer many of Skype's core features, including messaging and video calls, Microsoft is discontinuing Skype's paid calling services. Users who currently have Skype Credits or subscriptions will be able to use them in Microsoft Teams until the end of their next renewal period. However, the option to call traditional phone numbers will no longer be available to new customers, per Skype's website.
App Alternatives for Skype and Teams
For users who do not want to switch to Microsoft Teams, several alternatives exist, and are not limited to:
- Zoom—A widely used video conferencing tool, especially for business and professional meetings.
- WhatsApp—Offers free voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption.
- Google Meet—A strong alternative with seamless integration with Gmail and Google Calendar.
- Discord—Popular among gaming communities but also useful for general group calls and chats.
- Signal—A privacy-focused messaging app with encrypted video calling.
Microsoft's decision to retire Skype comes as no surprise to some in the tech industry. Skype saw early success: the number of registered users of Skype was about 50 million in 2005, per Britannica, and increased to over 600 million just five years later.
But the app struggled to innovate and keep up with the evolving communication landscape. With this transition, Microsoft is betting on Teams Free as the future of consumer and business communication.
For users looking to keep their data, Microsoft recommends exporting Skype contacts and chat history before May 2025.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines