Microsoft is set to discontinue its Skype video calling platform, the company announced. The platform, which Microsoft acquired approximately 14 years ago, will remain operational until May 5, 2025. The tech giant will then shift its focus to Microsoft Teams.
Founded in 2003, Skype was a pioneer in Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology, enabling phone calls over the internet instead of traditional landlines. In 2005, after being acquired by eBay, Skype introduced video calling capabilities. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion. By 2016, it boasted 300 million users, but this number declined to 36 million by 2023.
Microsoft has redesigned Skype multiple times and integrated it with products like Windows phones, before the latter was discontinued. The company introduced new features and integrated Copilot AI into Skype last year.
Starting today, Microsoft announced that Skype users can sign into Teams using their existing Skype credentials. “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,” a Microsoft blog post stated.
“During the transition period, Teams users can call and chat with Skype users and Skype users can do the same with Teams users. This helps ensure you can stay connected with everyone, regardless of the platform you’re using during this transition,” the company added.
Users who do not wish to transition to Teams will have the option to export their Skype data, including chats, contacts, and call history.
Microsoft also stated that it will no longer offer paid Skype features to new customers, including Skype Credit and subscriptions for international and domestic calls. Current Skype subscription users, however, can continue using the features until the end of their next renewal cycle.
After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will still be accessible to remaining paid users via the Skype web portal and within Teams, according to the blog post.
