Breaking News: Microsoft to End Skype – What This Means for Users and Alternatives to Consider

It’s the end of Skype as we know it. Microsoft will close Skype in May, shifting users to the free version of Microsoft Teams. Current Skype users can log into Microsoft Teams and keep their message history, group chats, and contacts without needing to set up a new account. If they prefer, they can export their data instead. Also, Microsoft is discontinuing support for making calls to phone numbers, both domestically and internationally.

Jeff Teper, president of Microsoft 365, stated in an interview with The Verge that Skype users will have options. “They can take their chat history and contacts with them or move to Teams,” he said.

For those who choose to bring their Skype data, the exported materials will include photos and chat history. Microsoft has also created a tool to view current Skype chat logs for users not ready to transition to Teams.

During the 60-day transition, users can still send messages between Teams and Skype contacts. Any group chats will be preserved when moving to Teams.

However, one major feature from Skype won’t carry over: the ability to call phone numbers. This change comes as Microsoft focuses on trends showing that fewer people are using these features. “We recognize that voice calling isn’t a priority anymore for most consumers,” Teper explained.

Current Skype subscribers can still use their credits in Teams until their renewal period ends, and they will need to transfer their Skype numbers to another provider since Microsoft will no longer support them.

For now, the Skype Dial Pad will remain in Teams for existing subscribers, but Microsoft won’t offer any new calling plans for individual users. Teper noted that increased bandwidth and lower data costs have shifted user behavior toward VoIP solutions.

Skype’s closure marks a significant change, as the service has been around since Microsoft acquired it for $8.5 billion nearly 14 years ago. Over the years, competition from apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp gained popularity, making Skype struggle to keep pace.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this gap when many users chose Zoom over Skype for their video calls. Teper noted that while Skype’s user numbers grew at the pandemic’s start, they have stabilized since then. The goal is to smoothly transition users to Teams while ensuring they feel in control.

With the launch of Teams for consumers in 2020, Microsoft redirected its focus away from Skype. Signs of this shift have been evident, especially with the elimination of Skype features like credits and phone numbers in favor of subscriptions.

Teper explained that the initial plan was to create a unified experience for work and personal use. However, as Teams evolved, it became clear that focusing on one platform was more effective. A robust Teams experience was prioritized as user adoption increased.

Despite the changes, no job cuts are expected right away. The team behind Teams and Skype will continue to work on enhancing the platform, focusing on user-friendly features and AI advancements.