Microsoft to Discontinue Skype Services
Microsoft has announced it will be shutting down its Skype telecommunications and video calling service on May 5, 2025. The move comes 14 years after Microsoft acquired Skype for a hefty $8.5 billion. The company will be retiring the service in favor of Microsoft Teams, which it says now incorporates most of Skype’s key functions.
“With Teams, users have access to many of the same core features they use in Skype, such as one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing,” said Jeff Teper, president for Microsoft’s Collaborative Apps and Platforms division, in a blog post. “Additionally, Teams offers enhanced features like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building and joining communities for free.”
Paid Skype features, including Skype Credit and phone call subscriptions, will also be discontinued. Current subscribers can continue to utilize their existing Skype Credit and subscriptions till the end of their next renewal period. Users with remaining Skype Credit will retain the ability to use their balances until the service officially ceases.
Microsoft is encouraging those who haven’t yet made the switch to Teams to do so by logging into Teams using their Skype credentials. This action will automatically transfer their conversations and contacts. Prior to Skype’s official shutdown, Teams users will be able to communicate with those still using Skype, and vice versa.
For those who do not wish to migrate to Teams, Microsoft is offering the ability to export their contact and chat data before the service is discontinued in early May. Skype for Business Online had already become redundant with the introduction of Microsoft Teams and was shut down in 2021. Further, Microsoft’s previous versions, Skype for Business Server 2016 and Skype for Business Server 2019, will lose support in October. They will be replaced by Skype for Business Server SE, although Microsoft strongly advises business users to migrate to Teams.
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About the Author
Chris Paoli is the associate editor for Converge360.
