On May 5, 2025, Microsoft will stop supporting Skype, the pioneering Internet call service. This essentially marks an end to the platform after 23 years of operation as the company now shifts its focus towards Microsoft Teams.
A Declining Skype User Base
The decline in user engagement over the years has led to Skype’s decrease in users from 300 million in the past. Microsoft reported in its most recent update in early 2023 that Skype had only 36 million daily users, which is way less than when it hit its peak.
Competing platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams have also sullied the possibility of a renaissance for Skype. First billed as a business communications tool in 2016, Teams began a gradual integration of features that seriously competed with Skype. By the time 2021 rolled around, Teams became the default communications platform in Windows 11, further pushing Skype into the background.
Transition to Teams
Skype users have until May 5 to migrate their contacts and chat history to Teams, or export their data using the built-in tool within Skype. After the shutdown date, data that has not yet been migrated will be stored until the end of 2025, after which it will be permanently deleted.
Although Teams Free allows for working with advanced collaborative tools like calendar integrations, it doesn’t provide some of the key features, especially those related to phone calls. This is in line with Microsoft’s decision to prevent users from adding credit on Skype or acquiring phone numbers as of December 2024 with the end of all subscriptions due to be on April 3, 2025. However, any existing or new users with credits will still be able to access the Dial Pad indefinitely using Skype.
Why Now?
It is a natural transition driven by changing consumer habits according to Microsoft.
“Traditional phone-calling features are becoming irrelevant as people are increasingly relying on mobile data plans and messaging applications,” said Amit Fulay, Microsoft’s VP of Product.
“Consolidating all those communication tools under Teams,” says Jeff Teper, President, Microsoft 365 Apps, “enables agile innovation and clear product direction.”
Skype: The End of an Era
Skype has revolutionized communication through its internet-based voice and video calling-the USP of Skype. The shutting down symbolizes a complete transition to more integrated, cloud-based collaborative platforms that Teams itself is fast scaling within.
It is the crucial months for former Skype users to decide on migrating to Teams or considering alternatives before the inevitable May 5.
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