After more than two decades of revolutionizing online communication, Microsoft has officially shut down Skype as of May 2025, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant audio-video calling platform. At its peak, Skype was used by over 300 million people worldwide and became synonymous with cross-border video communication. Microsoft had acquired the platform in 2011, as reported by The Washington Post.
The retirement affects both free and paid Skype users, though Skype for Business will remain unaffected. Microsoft is encouraging all Skype users to transition to Microsoft Teams Free, which the company says offers the same core functions along with enhanced collaboration tools.
The decision, though long-anticipated, has struck a nostalgic chord with many who relied on Skype to stay connected with loved ones and conduct international business. The platform’s decline over the years was attributed to stiff competition from video calling features on apps by Meta and Google, as well as the rise of Zoom, which gained massive popularity for offering smooth group conferencing.
In a blog post, Microsoft assured users that Skype contacts and chat histories would be automatically transferred to Teams Free. Users can sign in using their Skype credentials, and also have the option to export or delete their data.
As Skype bows out, Microsoft’s focus clearly shifts to Teams, which has become central to its communication and productivity ecosystem.
