Skype shutting down

Here are the main events in the history of Skype.

• 2003 – Skype Launches: Founded by Swedish, Danish, and Estonian developers, Skype pioneered peer-to-peer internet voice calls and later introduced video calling.
• 2005 – eBay Acquires Skype: In September 2005, eBay purchased Skype for $2.6 billion. The user base continued to grow rapidly.
• 2009 – Investors Take Over: An investment group led by Silver Lake bought a majority stake from eBay in November 2009.
• 2011 – Microsoft Acquires Skype: Microsoft announced the $8.5 billion acquisition in May 2011, which closed in October that year, making Skype a Microsoft division.
• 2013 – Messenger Retired: Microsoft migrated over 100 million Windows Live Messenger users into Skype in early 2013.
• 2015 – Skype for Business Launches: Microsoft rebranded Lync to Skype for Business, extending the Skype brand into corporate communication.
• 2017 – Microsoft Teams Introduced: Teams began as a new collaboration platform, overlapping Skype’s functions.
• 2019 – Skype for Business Online Retirement Announced: Microsoft set July 31, 2021 as the retirement date, urging enterprise customers to switch to Teams.
• Dec 2024 – Skype Credit and Number Sales Suspended: Microsoft quietly stopped selling Skype Credits and new Skype Numbers, indicating big changes ahead.
• Feb 2025 – Microsoft Announces Skype’s Shutdown: On February 28, 2025, Microsoft officially confirmed Skype will be retired on May 5, 2025, directing users to Teams.

Below is a photo of Niklas Zennström, one of the founders of Skype.

Skype’s journey from a disruptive startup to a Microsoft product has been remarkable. It introduced easy, free voice calls over the internet in 2003 and quickly became a household name for video calls. By 2011, Skype was serving around 300 million users worldwide, which led Microsoft to acquire it for $8.5 billion. Under Microsoft, Skype absorbed MSN Messenger’s user base and integrated with various Microsoft services.

Over time, competition from WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams itself eroded Skype’s dominance. Skype for Business was rebranded from Lync, but eventually, Teams overshadowed both consumer Skype and Skype for Business. Despite continued user loyalty and notable features like AI translation, Skype’s growth stalled. As other platforms grew in popularity, Microsoft’s focus shifted, culminating in the decision to shutting down Skype in 2025.

Microsoft’s announcement appeared in an official Microsoft 365 blog post on February 28, 2025, confirming that Skype will be retired on May 5, 2025. The company cited its desire to focus on Microsoft Teams (free) as its primary communications platform moving forward.

Users will still be able to log into Microsoft Teams with their Skype credentials, automatically migrating contacts and chat history. Cross-platform communication is supported during the transition, ensuring Skype and Teams users can chat or call each other until May 2025. Microsoft also clarified it will stop offering paid Skype services to new customers. Skype Numbers and Skype Credits are no longer sold, and existing subscriptions will expire by the shutdown date.

The key date is May 5, 2025. Until then, you can continue using Skype. After that, Skype is shutting down and the service and app will be inaccessible. Here are the main steps to consider:

• Use Skype Until Shutdown: Everything works normally until May 5, 2025.
• Migrate to Microsoft Teams: The recommended path; sign in with your Skype/Microsoft account and import your contacts automatically.
• Export Skype Data: Download your chat history and files via the Skype export tool if you need a personal backup.
• Plan for Skype Numbers and Credit: Skype Numbers will cease once subscriptions end. If you rely on a Skype Number, consider porting it to another VoIP provider.
• Explore Alternatives if Teams Isn’t Right: Other platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, or Sonetel (for phone numbers) may be better fits.

Teams might feel more complex than Skype, and it lacks built-in phone calling for free users. That means if you relied on Skype’s pay-as-you-go calling or Skype Numbers, you’ll need a replacement.

In short, Teams offers advanced collaboration features but loses Skype’s built-in phone calling (in its free version), has a more complex interface, and demands heavier system resources. If you used Skype for international calling or had a Skype Number, you’ll need a VoIP alternative or a paid Teams Phone plan.

With Skype shutting down, you have multiple options depending on your needs:

• Microsoft Teams (Free): The direct successor that imports your Skype contacts. It’s suitable for chat, group calls, and integrates with other Microsoft services. However, it lacks free PSTN calling.
• Zoom: A top choice for video calls and meetings. The free version supports group calls for up to 40 minutes. Ideal if you primarily use Skype for face-to-face chats rather than phone calls.
• Google Meet/Google Voice: Meet provides free browser-based video calls (no installation needed), while Google Voice offers a U.S. number and low-cost calling (U.S.-only).
• WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime: Great for personal chats and video, but these apps are app-to-app only (no dedicated phone number in most cases).
• Discord: Initially for gamers, now a broad communication platform with text channels, voice channels, and video calls. No PSTN calling, but feature-rich for groups.
• Dedicated VoIP Providers (for Skype Number/Calling Replacement):
  • Sonetel: Offers virtual phone numbers in 80+ countries and low-cost international calling — an ideal replacement for Skype’s number and credit system. Plans start from around $1.79/month, and you can port your existing Skype Number to Sonetel in many cases.
  • Other services like Vonage, RingCentral, or VoIP.ms may also fit, depending on location and call volume needs.

If you relied on Skype primarily for phone calling, you’ll want a provider offering a local phone number and international calling rates as good as or better than Skype’s.

MOVE YOUR NUMBER TO SONETEL

• Q: When is Skype officially shutting down?
  A: May 5, 2025. You can continue using Skype until then. After that date, the app and service will no longer be accessible.
• Q: What happens to my Skype contacts and chats?
  A: Contacts and recent chat history can migrate to Microsoft Teams by signing in with your Skype/Microsoft account. You can also export your Skype data for a personal backup before shutdown.
• Q: I have a Skype Number – will it still work?
  A: Skype Numbers will cease to function after their subscription ends or by May 5, 2025. You can port your Skype Number to a provider like Sonetel if you wish to keep it.
• Q: What about my Skype Credit?
  A: Purchasing new credit is already disabled. If you have an existing balance, use it before shutdown. Post-shutdown, Microsoft may offer a brief grace period via the web portal, but you won’t be able to add more credit.
• Q: Will Skype-integrated devices or apps still work?
  A: No. Once Skype’s servers are turned off, any product relying on Skype (smart TVs, bots, or voice assistants) will stop functioning unless the manufacturer updates them for Teams or another platform.
• Q: Does this affect Skype for Business?
  A: No, this refers to the consumer Skype app. Skype for Business Online was retired in 2021, and on-premises Skype for Business Server remains under separate support. However, Microsoft aims to move all communications to Teams eventually.
• Q: Why is Microsoft shutting Skype down?
  A: Microsoft wants to consolidate its communication platforms under Teams, which has seen much more growth and investment. Maintaining both Skype and Teams became redundant, and Teams aligns better with Microsoft’s modern collaboration strategy.
• Q: Do I have to use Teams?
  A: No. You can choose any alternative (Zoom, WhatsApp, or Sonetel for phone features). Microsoft won’t force you, but is providing a straightforward migration path to Teams if you want to stay in their ecosystem.
• Q: How do I export my Skype chat history?
  A: Visit Skype Export, sign in, and request your data. You’ll receive a downloadable file with chats and files. Do this before May 2025.
• Q: What are the drawbacks of switching to Teams?
  A: The interface is more complex, it lacks free phone calling, and it uses more system resources. Some users may find it overkill for casual personal chats, and certain Skype features (like Skype usernames) won’t carry over in the same way.

Skype shutting down closes a chapter in internet communications. For many, it was the go-to app for free calls and video chats worldwide. Now, Microsoft directs users to Teams (Free). While Teams can serve most of Skype’s user base, it does not replicate Skype’s low-cost phone calling unless you pay for Teams Phone plans, which can be more expensive. If you want a straightforward solution for international calling, virtual phone numbers, or a replacement for Skype Numbers, consider a specialized VoIP provider.

Sonetel is an excellent choice if you need global phone numbers and affordable calling. Plans start at around $1.79 per month, and you can port your existing Skype Number in many cases. Sonetel also supports call forwarding, AI-assisted call features, and more. By switching, you retain the crucial aspects of Skype’s telephony services without being locked into Microsoft’s ecosystem.

In the end, whether you embrace Teams or select another platform, the key steps are: back up your Skype data, inform your contacts, and secure a new solution for calls or numbers if needed. With plenty of modern apps available, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your communication tools.

Ready to move on from Skype? Give Sonetel a try with a free trial. Get a local phone number in the country of your choice and enjoy high-quality international calling. Don’t let Skype’s shutdown disconnect you – with the right alternative, you can stay just as connected as before, or even more.

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Photo of Niklas Zennström by John Phillips/Getty Images for TechCrunch:  Wikipedia commons