Microsoft announced on Friday that it is shutting down Skype, marking the end of a 21-year journey
Microsoft announced on Friday that it is shutting down Skype, marking the end of a 21-year journey for the pioneering communication platform. The tech giant, which acquired Skype in 2011, informed users that they will no longer have access to their accounts after May 5, 2025. Microsoft is urging its user base to migrate to its free Teams app as soon as possible.
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Skype, which boasted 1.95 billion registered accounts in its last report, has been a household name for video calls and messaging. Microsoft assured users that Teams will seamlessly meet their communication needs, offering one-on-one calls, group calls, messaging, and file sharing. In a message posted on its X account, Skype encouraged users to sign in to Microsoft Teams Free using their Skype accounts to retain their chats and contacts.
From Boom to Decline: The Rise and Fall of Skype
Launched in 2003, Skype revolutionized communication by allowing people to talk to each other without relying on traditional phone companies. It quickly gained popularity, becoming a go-to platform for personal and professional communication. However, the advent of the smartphone era and the rise of competing services like Zoom and Microsoft Teams led to a decline in its user base. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this shift, as people turned to newer platforms for virtual meetings and collaboration.
Jeff Teper, president of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms, reflected on Skype’s legacy in an interview with CNBC. “We’ve learned a lot from Skype over the years that we’ve put into Teams as we’ve evolved it over the last seven to eight years,” he said. “But we felt like now is the time because we can be simpler for the market, for our customer base, and we can deliver more innovation faster just by being focused on Teams.”
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Microsoft’s Push for Teams: A New Chapter
Microsoft’s decision to shut down Skype is part of its broader strategy to focus on Teams, which launched in March 2017. The company emphasized that current Skype subscription users can continue to use their Skype Credits and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period. Additionally, Skype Credit users can utilize their remaining balances until the shutdown date.
According to Microsoft, Skype had 27.8 million daily active users in 2024, a significant drop from 40 million in 2020. In contrast, the number of minutes spent on Teams calls has quadrupled over the last two years, highlighting the platform’s growing dominance. While it’s unclear how many active Skype users remain today, the shutdown will undoubtedly impact millions who have relied on the service for decades.
A Fond Farewell to a Communication Pioneer
At its peak in 2016, Skype had over 300 million users, a testament to its widespread adoption and influence. As the platform prepares to bow out, it leaves behind a legacy of innovation that transformed how people connect across the globe. For many, Skype was more than just an app—it was a gateway to staying in touch with loved ones, collaborating with colleagues, and bridging distances.
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As Microsoft transitions its focus to Teams, the company aims to build on the lessons learned from Skype to deliver a more streamlined and innovative communication experience. While the shutdown marks the end of an era, it also signals the beginning of a new chapter in the evolution of digital communication.
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