Microsoft Confirms Skype Will Shut Down in May 2025

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft announced today that it will be retiring its popular communication platform, Skype, on May 5, 2025, to fully transition its users to Microsoft Teams.

The decision comes as part of a broader effort to focus on Teams, which has gained immense popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. In a statement, Jeff Teper, president of Collaborative Apps and Platforms at Microsoft, noted that the evolution of communication technology warranted this significant shift.

“The way we communicate has evolved significantly over the years. From instant messaging to video calls, technology has continuously transformed how we connect with each other,” Teper said. “In order to streamline our free consumer communications offerings, we will be retiring Skype to focus on Microsoft Teams, our modern communications and collaboration hub.”

With Teams, users can access many of the same core features as Skype, including one-on-one calls, group calls, messaging, and file sharing. Teams also offers enhanced functionalities such as hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building communities, all available for free.

Microsoft has highlighted that the use of Teams has surged dramatically, with the number of minutes spent in meetings by consumer users increasing fourfold in the last two years. This expansion reflects the platform’s effectiveness in facilitating everyday communication and collaboration for hundreds of millions of users.

In the transition period leading up to the shutdown, Skype users will have the option to sign into Teams using their existing Skype credentials. This capability, which begins rolling out today for users in both the Teams and Skype Insider programs, will allow chats and contacts to transfer automatically to Teams. “By logging in to Teams with a Skype account, chats and contacts will automatically appear, enabling users to quickly pick up where they left off,” Teper explained.

For those users who prefer not to transition to Teams, Microsoft will allow them to export their Skype data, including chat history and contacts, before the retirement date. Teper emphasized that there would be a support structure in place to assist users during this transition. Skype will remain functional until May 5, 2025, giving users ample time to explore their options.

Current Skype subscription users will continue to have access to their subscriptions, credits, and remaining funds until the end of their next renewal period. After May 5, 2025, users will still have access to the Skype Dial Pad via the Skype web portal and within Teams for remaining paid users.

Skype has been a prominent player in the digital communication landscape since its launch in 2003, reaching around 54 million users by 2005 before being acquired by Microsoft in 2011. Despite its past success, the platform has struggled to keep pace with newer alternatives like Zoom and WhatsApp, particularly during the pandemic.

“Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey,” Teper reflected.