Microsoft has officially confirmed that Skype will be discontinued on May 20, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the world’s most iconic messaging and video-calling platforms. The free version of Microsoft Teams for consumers has been designated as its successor, offering users an alternative for their communication needs.
In a statement, Microsoft assured users that they will have full control over their transition. “Skype users will be in control; they’ll have the choice. They can migrate their conversation history and their contacts out and move on if they want, or they can migrate to Teams,” the company said. However, telephony features will not be carried over to the new platform.
Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a dominant force in online communication, allowing users to make voice and video calls over the internet. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 and integrated it into its ecosystem as a successor to Windows Live Messenger. However, the platform struggled to maintain its relevance as Microsoft gradually shifted its focus to Teams, its enterprise communication service.
The decline of Skype has been years in the making, as competition from platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, and Google Chat eroded its market share. While Skype was once the go-to service for personal and business communication, the rise of these alternatives and Microsoft’s strategic emphasis on Teams signaled a diminishing role for the platform.
The announcement confirms long-standing speculation that Skype’s days were numbered, with Microsoft now fully committing to Teams as its flagship communication tool. Users still have time to transition, but after May 20, 2025, Skype will officially become part of tech history.
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