Over 20 years after its debut, Microsoft is pulling the plug on Skype, the first big video calling app.
As confirmed by Microsoft today after being first spotted in code by XDA, Skype is shutting down on May 5, 2025. Skype was first released in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011 to the tune of $8.5 billion.
Skype’s shutdown has been expected for quite some time, as the app’s video calling legacy was replaced by Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as Microsoft neglected the service for several years, especially as its focus turned to Teams.
Microsoft Teams will be the replacement for Skype, as the company will be allowing users to transfer their contacts to Teams.
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A note on Skype’s website says:
Skype is retiring in May 2025. Beginning March 2025, you will be able to sign into Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype credentials, and your chats and contacts will be right there ready for you. Enjoy the features you love about Skype, including free calling and messaging, as well as new features like meetings and communities, all on Teams app.
Speaking to TechCrunch, Microsoft explains:
We know this is a big deal for our Skype users, and we’re very grateful for their support of Skype and all the learnings that have factored into Teams over the last seven years. At this point, putting all our focus behind Teams will let us give a simpler message and drive faster innovation.
Zoom alternatives have become a major focus for brands following the pandemic. The flexibility of Zoom as both a business and consumer app effectively pushed Google to merge Duo, its popular consumer-focused video calling app, with Meet, its business-focused app. Microsoft is effectively now following the same model.
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