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.”
Discussion (7 replies)
Join Discussion →The only shock is that they didn't officially roll this into Teams years ago and just merge the two.
But, it's Microsoft, I guess I'm not really shocked. The amount of crapware that exists in the 365 suite is ~amazing~, and a lot of it is duplicated functionality.
I'm truly amazed it lasted this long. I expected it to be discontinued shortly after MS bought it. I do wonder if its staff has, or will be, transferred over to Teams as well.
I used to use MSN Messenger, but they shut it down when they bought skype, so I reluctantly switched over, and now they are shutting down skype too. Brilliant.
For personal use discord has replaced Skype. For work we use Teams. No markt letft for a stagnated Skype.
... meanwhile, the phone on my desk collects dust.
Pretty much. Where I work our phones are gone and it just rings in teams.
Hot tip... put your work phone on do not disturb allow your contacts and teams to work. Then go to your teams admin and ask them to put a random number prompt for regular calls transferring into teams. Ive gone from a dozen spam calls a day ringing on my phone to literally zero.
When my work line or office line is called they get a prompt. Press number x to continue. Where x is a random single digit number. I freaking love it.
The last time I used Skype was in the late 2000s or early 2010s at my QA software tester job. We used it to communicate within teams, across teams, and with clients. Never really cared for it. Won't be sad to see it gone. I never had the displeasure of using Teams.