Microsoft to Discontinue Skype on May 5, 2025

Microsoft has announced that Skype, the pioneering internet calling service, will be discontinued on May 5, 2025, as the company focuses on its Teams platform. Acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, Skype once boasted hundreds of millions of users but has been eclipsed by more modern competitors such as Zoom and Slack. Users will be able to transition to Teams using their existing Skype credentials, with chats and contacts migrating automatically. Microsoft aims to streamline its communication offerings by consolidating them into Teams, which has seen significant growth in usage over the past few years. Current Skype subscription users can continue to use their credits until the end of their renewal period. This move marks the end of an era for Skype, which once revolutionized cross-border communication but struggled to adapt to the smartphone era.