Microsoft has announced that it will retire its video conferencing platform Skype on May 5, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the pioneering platforms in internet-based communication. The decision comes as part of the tech giant’s strategy to streamline its consumer communications services and focus on Microsoft Teams, its modern collaboration […]
Microsoft has announced that it will retire its video conferencing platform Skype on May 5, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the pioneering platforms in internet-based communication.
The decision comes as part of the tech giant’s strategy to streamline its consumer communications services and focus on Microsoft Teams, its modern collaboration hub.
In a statement Jeff Teper, president of collaborative apps and platforms at Microsoft, emphasised how communication technology has evolved, necessitating a shift in strategy.
“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),” Teper stated.
Jeff Teper, MS president of collaborative apps and platforms
He highlighted that Teams provides many of Skype’s core features, including messaging, file sharing, and one-on-one and group calls, while also offering enhanced functionalities such as calendar management and community building.
Transition options for Skype users
Microsoft has outlined two primary options for Skype users ahead of the shutdown.
The first is free migration to Teams, which Skype users will be able to sign into with their existing credentials.
Users who do not wish to migrate to Teams, the second option allows them to export their Skype data, including contacts, chat history, and call logs, before the service is discontinued.
Microsoft pledges to make transition to Teams seamless for Skype users
Skype will remain operational until May 5, 2025, allowing users time to make the transition. After this date, user data will be retained until the end of the year, after which it will be deleted permanently.
Decline of Skype and rise of Teams
The move to discontinue Skype has been anticipated for some time. Since launching Teams in 2016, Microsoft has steadily integrated more communication features into the platform, effectively sidelining Skype.
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Microsoft had already phased out Skype for Business in 2021, signalling a shift in its long-term vision for communication tools.
Although Skype once boasted 300 million users at its peak in 2013, recent figures indicate a significant decline.
In early 2023, Microsoft reported that Skype had just 36 million daily users, a stark contrast to the rapid growth of Teams.
According to TechCrunch, Teper acknowledged that the transition has been a long time coming: “We know this is a big deal for our Skype users, and we’re very grateful for their support of Skype and all the learnings that have factored into Teams over the last seven years. At this point, putting all our focus behind Teams will let us give a simpler message and drive faster innovation.”
The legacy of Skype
Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström from Sweden and Janus Friis from Denmark. The platform was developed by a team of Estonian engineers and quickly gained popularity for its ability to provide free voice and video calls over the internet.
Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, hoping to use its technology within its suite of communication services. However, the rise of competing platforms such as WhatsApp and Zoom, coupled with Microsoft’s shift toward Teams, ultimately led to Skype’s decline.
As Skype’s journey comes to an end, Microsoft is betting on Teams as the future of digital communication, promising users a more integrated and modern experience.
