Microsoft’s Skype was the preferred video calling app for years before to the popularity of Instagram and WhatsApp. With effect from today, May 5, Skype, which was once extensively utilized for both personal and professional communication, is being shut down. Skype has been retired as a result of Microsoft’s decision to concentrate solely on its Teams product. With Teams as its main free customer communication channel, the tech giant formally announced this change in February. Using their current Skype login information on any compatible device, Skype users may switch to Microsoft Teams with ease.
Officially, Skype shuts off.
Skype was first introduced in 2003, more than 20 years ago, and was purchased by Microsoft in 2011. It offered services like video conferencing, voice calling, and VoIP-based video telephony.
For users of premium Skype, Microsoft is also making sure that the transition goes smoothly; they can keep using their subscriptions and Skype Credits until the end of their subsequent renewal cycle, with Skype Credits remaining available until they expire. Microsoft notes that only users with free and premium accounts will be impacted by the Skype shutdown; users with Skype for Business accounts will not be affected.
The Skype Dial Pad will only be available to remaining premium subscribers through Teams and the Skype web interface as of right now. Microsoft explains that Skype for Business accounts will not be impacted by the suspension, but both free and paying customers would be impacted.
What therefore ought users to do?
It’s simple to move from Skype to Teams. All of your conversations, contacts, and call history will be transferred over when you just sign in to Teams with your Skype account. Features like file sharing, group discussions, and one-on-one calls are available in Microsoft Teams. Users will be prompted to take action regarding their data migration by a notification that appears within the Skype app. Their data will be irreversibly erased if they don’t make the changeover by January 2026.
Skype’s market share has decreased over time, even though Microsoft estimated that 36 million people were still using the platform as of 2023. Teams, on the other hand, has grown remarkably, virtually quadrupling in the last two years and providing comparable, if not better, features.
