Skype has officially retired, with users urged to migrate to Microsoft Teams (free) where their credentials, contacts, and chat history will transfer automatically. Data can be exported until January 2026, after which it will be permanently deleted. Microsoft cites the need to streamline consumer communications for adapting to customer needs as the reason for Skype’s shutdown. While Teams offers a free option, it has limitations compared to Skype, including 60-minute caps on group video calls and no pay-as-you-go calling. Launched in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011, Skype was a pioneer in VoIP communication.
The curtain falls on Skype today as we officially bid farewell to this iconic communication platform. Current Skype users can seamlessly transition to Microsoft Teams (free) with their credentials, contacts, and chat history transferring automatically to the new service. Users will have the opportunity to export their data until January 2026; after that, it will be permanently erased.
The rationale behind Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Skype is “to simplify our free consumer communications offerings and better respond to customer demands.” While Microsoft Teams (free) offers a range of features, it does come with some limitations compared to traditional Skype, such as a cap of 60 minutes on group video calls and the inability to make pay-as-you-go calls or send SMS like with Skype Credit.
Since its inception in 2003 and following major acquisitions, particularly by Microsoft in 2011, Skype has stood out as one of the most pivotal voice over IP (VoIP) platforms over the past twenty years.