London: After nearly 22 years of transforming how the world communicates, Skype– one of the earliest and most influential internet-based calling platforms will officially shut down today, marking the end of an era in digital communication.
Launched in 2003, Skype was a groundbreaking innovation that allowed users to make free voice and video calls across borders. It swiftly gained global popularity and, at its peak in the mid-2010s, boasted more than 300 million monthly users.
Long before Zoom, FaceTime, or WhatsApp became household names, Skype was the platform that made real-time global communication accessible to the masses.
Rise and Decline of a Tech Icon
Skype’s journey from a pioneering startup to a digital giant saw a major turning point in 2011 when Microsoft acquired the platform for $8.5 billion. At the time, Microsoft envisioned Skype as the centerpiece of its communications strategy, integrating it across its ecosystem, including Windows and Xbox.
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🗂️ Secure file sharing and cloud storageIf you use Skype, your chats and contacts will migrate… pic.twitter.com/F0Z8QQCGCr
— Skype (@Skype) April 3, 2025
However, over the years, the rise of competitors including WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, and even Microsoft’s own Teams slowly eroded Skype’s dominance. Users began favoring newer platforms that offered better integration, more features, or seamless mobile functionality.
On February 28, 2025, Microsoft officially announced the platform’s retirement, citing a move to streamline communication services and fully prioritize Microsoft Teams, now widely used for workplace collaboration and video conferencing.
Existing Skype Users?
Microsoft has urged all users both free and paid to transition to Microsoft Teams. The company has made the migration process simple via the “Start using Teams” feature at skype.com.
User contacts and chat histories will be accessible on Teams using the same Microsoft login credentials.
Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available. Over the coming days you can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype account to stay connected with all your chats and contacts. Thank you for being part of Skype pic.twitter.com/EZ2wJLOQ1a
— Skype (@Skype) February 28, 2025
Microsoft has also assured users they will have access to their Skype data until January 2026, after which it will be permanently deleted. Until then, users can download or migrate their data safely. Skype for Business, a separate product, will continue to operate temporarily as Microsoft completes its transition.
While Skype’s chapter is coming to a close, its impact on global communication remains indelible. The platform brought distant families closer, enabled international business, supported classrooms during crises, and even helped journalists and humanitarian workers connect from conflict zones.
