Microsoft to shut down Skype, urges users to switch to Teams

TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 6, 2025, 13:03 IST

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Microsoft is shutting down Skype in May 2025, urging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams. This move streamlines communication services, focusing on Teams' enhanced collaboration features. Skype users can seamlessly transition by logging into Teams with their existing credentials, retaining contacts and messages. While new purchases are halted, existing services remain active until expiry, ensuring a smooth shift for all.

Microsoft to shut down Skype, urges users to switch to Teams

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it will shut down its Skype video conferencing service today (May 5). “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,” said Microsoft in a blog post. The company is encouraging both free and paid Skype users to migrate to the Teams platform, which offers similar communication and collaboration features. Notably, this change does not affect Skype for Business users. Microsoft has also allowed the Skype users to sign into Teams on any supported device using their Skype credentials.

Why is Microsoft shutting down Skype

Microsoft launched Skype on 2003 for easier online communication. However, with the platform lost its relevance with rise of new platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet and more. Microsoft’s decision to retire Skype is part of a broader strategy to streamline its communication services and focus on Teams, which offers enhanced collaboration tools for both personal and professional use.

What happens to existing users?

Chats & Contacts: Users can log into Microsoft Teams with their Skype credentials, ensuring a seamless transition with all previous messages and contacts intact.
Paid Services: New purchases of Skype Credit and subscriptions have been halted, but existing users can continue using their plans until their billing cycle ends.
Skype Numbers: These will remain active until expiry and can be ported to other carriers. Calls to Skype Numbers will still be received via Teams

Microsoft has already stopped allowing new purchases of Skype Subscriptions, Skype Numbers, and Skype Credit, signaling the gradual phasing out of the platform.

How to get started with Teams for free

Moving to Teams is simple and doesn’t prevent you from also continuing to use Skype during the transition period.
Here’s how to get started:

Download Teams on your device from the official Microsoft Teams website.
Log in with your Skype credentials.
Start using Teams with all your Skype chats and contacts ready to go.

Skype is now part of a series of Microsoft projects that have not met expectations, alongside Internet Explorer and Windows Phone. Other tech companies have also faced challenges with online communication tools, with Google making several attempts through apps like Hangouts and Duo.

When Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, outbidding Google and Facebook, the service had around 150 million monthly users. By 2020, that number had declined to roughly 23 million, even with a brief increase during the pandemic.

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TOI Tech Desk

The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk’s news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

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