Goodbye Skype: Popular Video-Calling Platform To Shut Down On May 5

Microsoft's communication app Skype, which once ruled internet calling with millions of users, is now being phased out by the tech giant. The popular video-calling platform will not be available from May 5.

“In May 2025, Skype will be retired. This change will impact both free and paid Skype users, but not Skype for Business,” Microsoft informed users in a blog post.

Options For Users

On May 5, the app will officially retire, following which the users will have the option to move to Microsoft Teams.

“Skype users will have the option to move to Microsoft Teams Free, which offers many of the same core features and more. Sign in to Microsoft Teams Free on any supported device using your Skype credentials and your contacts and chats will automatically be transferred,” Microsoft said.

It added that users who don't want to move to Teams will have the option to export their Skype data.   

Skype's Journey

The chat service was born in 2003 and bought by Microsoft almost 14 years ago. It is now fading into tech history due to its failure to adapt to mobile trends, reflected in its sharp decline in user base to just 36 million by 2023.

Skype's decline was gradual, driven by the rise of smartphone-native apps and Zoom video calls. When Microsoft made an attempt to adapt Skype for the workplace, the app lost the battle to popular platforms like Slack.

Later, Microsoft came up with a new app, Teams, built as a workplace communication tool. To enhance its appeal, Microsoft bundled the app with its own software for a more integrated experience. The tech giant is now offering Skype users the option to migrate to Teams, which has become a strong competitor to Slack, owned by Salesforce.

Skype was founded in 2003 by Nordic entrepreneurs and was once owned by eBay. In May 2011, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer made a bold $8.5 billion acquisition for the app, which was a 40% premium over its valuation. It was Microsoft's largest acquisition at the time.

However, the strategy did not pan out as Ballmer had planned, as emerging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp gained traction, ultimately leading to Skype's gradual decline.

With Skype's end, Microsoft is now expected to focus more on Teams, especially its integration with AI tools, a rapidly growing and competitive space.