Microsoft has officially announced to discontinue Skype starting from May 5, 2025 to make Microsoft Teams its top communication tool.
Microsoft made this announcement in an official blog post, “We have decided to stop offering Skype in May 2025 in order to better streamline our free communication services and effectively satisfy consumer expectations. Now, we’ll concentrate on Microsoft Teams (free), a more advanced and feature-rich platform for collaboration”.
In order to ensure a seamless transfer of contacts, conversations, and data, the internet giant is urging existing Skype customers to switch to Teams.
With this ruling, Skype’s 22-year history as a popular communication tool comes to an end. Skype, which was first introduced in 2003 and then purchased by Microsoft in 2011, was instrumental in revolutionizing online video and audio communication.
Microsoft will gradually phase out Skype over the coming months to facilitate a seamless transition, enabling users to move their data to Teams without any issues. Users have received assurances from the firm that Teams will have both standard functions like file sharing, audio and video conferencing, and messaging. Along with it Teams will provide more sophisticated features like calendar integration and community-based interactions.
The fact that new customers would no longer be able to acquire commercial Skype services has also been made clear by Microsoft. Existing users, however, are permitted to keep using their phone plans and Skype credit until their subsequent renewal cycle. Users with premium subscriptions will continue to be able to access the Skype Dial Pad using Teams or the Skype web interface after May 5.
Microsoft Teams has been positioned as the company’s primary collaboration platform since its 2017 introduction. Teams acquired a lot of traction, particularly during the Covid-19 outbreak, as businesses and individuals looked for a more feature-rich and integrated communication solution, but Skype retained a devoted user base.
