Microsoft to retire Skype in May 2025 after two decades of global communication

Skype users have under a month to go until Microsoft shuts it down. The tech giant announced it will retire Skype on May 5, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the most iconic digital communication platforms in the world. 

According to an email circulated to Skype users, the company will now focus on Microsoft Teams, a modern alternative with expanded collaboration tools.

“We understand that change can be challenging, and we are here to support you during this transition. We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide and FAQ to help you get started,” the email read. 

Skype, founded in 2003, revolutionized online communication by offering free voice and video calls over the internet. It was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion—a deal that signaled its strategic value in a changing tech landscape. 

Over the years, Skype grew to over 300 million monthly active users at its peak and generated hundreds of millions of dollars annually through services like Skype Credit and international calling subscriptions.

Despite its early dominance, Skype struggled to keep up with rivals such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. Microsoft gradually shifted its focus to Teams, especially after the platform saw massive adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Teams now integrates messaging, file sharing, calendar management, and community features—while still allowing users to chat and call, just like Skype.

Users can log into Teams Free using their Skype credentials, with contacts and chats automatically transferred. 

Both platforms will remain interoperable until the retirement date, after which users can continue accessing Skype features through Teams or export their data before January 2026.

Microsoft has already ended Skype’s paid features for new customers and plans to remove Skype minutes from Microsoft 365 subscriptions by March 2026.

As Skype prepares for its final sign-off, Microsoft thanked users for two decades of shared moments and assured them of a smooth transition. “We are honored to have been part of your journey,” the company said in its farewell note.