Microsoft appears to be preparing to phase out Skype. In the latest preview of Skype for Windows, patch notes suggest that the service could be discontinued in May 2025. The company’s plan should see users migrated into Teams without changing too much, but essentially swapping a service for another.
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Microsoft May Shut Down Skype in May 2025, Urges Users to Switch to Teams for Calls and Chats
According to XDA Developers, a new message has been spotted in the latest Skype for Windows app stating, “Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams.” It will also prompt users to download Teams and migrate their contacts. Microsoft has not confirmed or commented on the report, but it looks like the days of Skype are numbered. The company previously shut down Skype for Business on July 31, 2021, but the consumer version remained operational due to its large user base. But the recent updates mean that the final goodbye to Skype is not far away.
Skype was released in 2003 by four developers as a cheap audio conferencing service with an aim to reduce telephone expenses. In 2006, it launched video calling, its most defining feature, and that was instrumental in shaping modern video communication. By 2010, it had 300 million active users, and it was also synonymous with video calling. The expression “Let’s Skype” became public property.
Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 and integrated it into Windows and enterprise products, making it a key communication tool for businesses. Even Google attempted to compete with Skype through Hangouts but failed to gain traction. Skype, however, had problems of its own between software bugs and non-great video quality. Apple’s FaceTime, however, despite having better performance wasn’t a direct competitor because it was in a very limited ecosystem.
Aware of the limitations of Skype, Microsoft launched a platform called Teams in 2017, primarily targeting businesses. And then along came the COVID-19 pandemic, which turned everything upside down, with Skype floundering in the face of competition from Zoom and Google Meet which provided more user-friendly interfaces and better video quality. Despite still having around 30 million active users in 2024, Skype seems to have reached the end of the road. Microsoft now appears set to move on, and the iconic platform may officially shut down in the coming months.
FAQs
When will Skype shut down?
Skype is expected to be discontinued in May 2025, according to a message spotted in the latest Windows app.
What will replace Skype?
Microsoft is urging users to switch to Teams, which will handle calls and chats after Skype shuts down.
