How Is It Going To Affect Existing Users, And What Can They Do?
After nearly 22 years of connecting millions across the globe, Skype has announced its shutdown effective May 5, marking the end of an era for one of the pioneers in internet communication. Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a revolutionary tool for free voice and video calls over the internet, amassing more than 300 million monthly users at its peak in the mid-2010s. This free platform transformed how people communicated across borders long before Zoom or FaceTime came into the picture.
In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion, aiming to embed it into its communications strategy. However, as competitors like WhatsApp, Zoom, and eventually Microsoft’s own Teams gained traction, Skype’s popularity waned. On February 28, Microsoft announced it would retire Skype on May 5 to streamline its services and prioritise Teams for communication and collaboration.
The shutdown will affect both free and paid users, but Skype for Business will remain operational temporarily. Microsoft encourages users to transition to Teams by visiting skype.com and utilising the “Start using Teams” feature. All Skype chats and contacts will remain accessible through Teams using the same login credentials.
Existing users have until January 2026 to download or migrate their data before it’s permanently deleted. This move signifies a shift in the digital communication landscape, urging users to embrace new tools and adapt to evolving technologies.