Skype to Cease Operations on May 5 as Microsoft Transitions to Teams
Microsoft has announced that it will officially shut down Skype on May 5, marking the end of the service that has been a leader in video calling for nearly 20 years. This decision is part of Microsoft’s plan to focus entirely on Teams, which is an all-in-one platform for messaging and video calls.
Jeff Teper, the President of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms, explained that directing all efforts toward Teams will help the company provide a clearer message and encourage faster innovation. He emphasized that this changes the future of how people connect through video and messaging services.
A user on the XDA Developers forum found a coded message in a preview of Skype for Windows that indicated the service would be ending. The message highlighted that from May onward, Skype would no longer be available and encouraged users to switch to Teams for their calls and chats.
Microsoft confirmed the closure of Skype through an official blog post. Teper stated that Teams would have many of the same features that Skype users are familiar with, such as one-on-one calls, group calls, messaging, and file sharing. However, Teams will also offer additional capabilities like hosting meetings, organizing calendars, and freely building and joining communities.
Skype, once a powerful name in video communication, has faced challenges in the current market, which is dominated by competitors like Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime. Even though Skype experienced a mild increase in users during the lockdowns of 2020, its user base decreased to only 36 million by 2023, while Teams saw a substantial rise to 320 million users.
Skype was offered as a business solution from 2015 to 2021. After that, Microsoft shifted its focus to Teams as the main solution for messaging and video calls, especially with the launch of Windows 11.
For those transitioning from Skype to Teams, Microsoft plans to make the process as smooth as possible. Starting soon, Skype users can sign into Teams using their existing Skype accounts. Users who are part of the Teams and Skype Insider programs can start this transition immediately, with all their chats and contacts from Skype appearing automatically in Teams.
Until May, users of both Skype and Teams will still be able to communicate with each other through calls and messages. If anyone wishes to keep their Skype data—such as chats, contacts, and call history—they can export this information manually instead of transferring it to Teams. However, users should note that Skype Credit and international calling subscriptions are no longer available, although existing subscriptions will remain active until they need to be renewed.
Additionally, the Skype Dial Pad will still be available for paying users, accessible through the Skype web portal and within Teams.
This shift marks a significant change in how Microsoft approaches video and messaging services, signaling its commitment to strengthening and enhancing Teams at the expense of the once-popular Skype.
