RIP Skype, as Microsoft officially put the last nail in its coffin after it bought the once-popular app roughly fourteen years ago. Last week, code was discovered in a recent Windows 11 preview update revealing Microsoft’s decision to kill off the video/voice calling app, but an official announcement has since been made not only confirming the end of Skype but also clarification for its users that their accounts and data can be transferred over to Microsoft Teams for free. Skype is still being prepped for the transfer en masse but MS has begun the process, which will allow users to switchover to Teams on any supported device, but those who are members of Microsoft’s Skype and Teams Insider Programs can do so as of February 28.
Skype debuted in 2003 at a time when video calling apps were at a minimum. Since then, Apple’s FaceTime gained a large market share with its ease of use and iOS inclusion. Meanwhile, Zoom and other offerings further took over Skype’s once dominant landscape. Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011 and has in recent years been pushing its Microsoft Teams app so the writing has been on the wall for some time that the end was nigh. RIP Skype, Microsoft has said that the app will remain available until May 5.
Per Microsoft:
“The way we communicate has evolved significantly over the years. From instant messaging to video calls, technology has continuously transformed how we connect with each other.
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), our modern communications and collaboration hub.
With Teams, users have access to many of the same core features they use in Skype, such as one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. Additionally, Teams offers enhanced features like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building and joining communities for free.
Hundreds of millions of people already use Teams as their hub for teamwork, helping them stay connected and engaged at work, school, and at home. In the past two years, the number of minutes spent in meetings by consumer users of Teams has grown 4X, reflecting the value Teams brings to everyday communication and collaboration.
As we take this next step with Teams, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. We look forward to continuing to support people’s everyday connections, starting by making it easy to log into Teams with their Skype account.”