Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue Skype on May 5, 2025, as part of its broader push to promote Microsoft Teams as its primary communication platform.

The company has urged existing users to transition to Teams, ensuring a seamless migration of their data, contacts, and conversations.

In a statement published on its official blog, Microsoft said, "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."

The decision marks the end of Skype’s more than two-decade-long run as one of the most popular communication platforms globally. Launched in 2003 and later acquired by Microsoft in 2011, Skype played a pivotal role in revolutionizing voice and video calls over the internet.

Gradual transition for users

Microsoft plans to phase out Skype gradually over the next three months, allowing users to shift their data to Teams. The company assured that those moving to Teams would retain key features such as video and audio calling, messaging, and file sharing, along with added functionalities like calendar management and community-based interactions.

“By logging in to Teams with a Skype account, chats and contacts will automatically appear in the app so you can quickly pick up where you left off,” the company said, adding that interoperability between Skype and Teams will be maintained during the transition period.

Options for Skype users

Users have multiple choices before the May 5 deadline. They can migrate to Teams using their existing Skype credentials, ensuring automatic data transfer, or opt to export their Skype data, including chats, contacts, and call history.

Microsoft has also clarified that paid Skype services will no longer be available for new users. However, existing subscribers will be able to use their Skype credit and calling plans until their next renewal period. After May 5, paid users will still have access to the Skype Dial Pad through the Skype web portal or Teams.

Microsoft has been pushing Teams as its flagship communication platform since its launch in 2017. While Skype remained a popular choice, Teams gained prominence, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, as businesses and individuals sought more integrated communication solutions.

The move to retire Skype underscores Microsoft’s strategic focus on consolidating its communication tools under a unified platform. Although the transition may be met with reluctance from long-time Skype users, Microsoft insists that Teams offers a more advanced and future-proof alternative.