Microsoftಌ on February 28 announced that Skype, its 21-year-old calling and messaging service, will shut down May 5. The software company is encouraging Skype users to migrate to its free Teams app.
🌟“In order to streamline our free consumer communications offerings so we can more easily adapt to customer needs, we will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), our modern communications and collaboration hub,” Microsoft said in a statement.
💃“With Teams, users have access to many of the same core features they use in Skype, such as one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. Additionally, Teams offers enhanced features like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building and joining communities for free.”
ꦦDuring the transition from Skype to Teams, users have two choices. They can either move to Microsoft Teams for free by logging in with their existing Skype credentials. Once they are signed in, all Skype chats and contacts will automatically transfer to Teams, allowing users to pick up their conversations right where they left off. Alternatively, users who prefer not to migrate can export their Skype data, including chats, contacts, and call history.
🍃In addition to that, users also have the choice to use Skype alongside Teams, which is until May 5. To do that, simply download the Teams app and log in with existing Skype credentials, and find all their existing chats and contacts ready to use.
ꦑNotably, Microsoft is discontinuing paid Skype services for new users, including Skype Credit and calling subscriptions. Existing subscribers can use their credit and plans until the end of their next renewal period while remaining Skype Credit will continue to be available. Also, Microsoft says that even after May 5, paid users will still be able to access Skype Dial Pad through the Skype web portal or within Teams.
