As of May 5, 2025, Microsoft will completely deactivate Skype and offer the free version of Microsoft Teams for individual users. Existing Skype users will be able to access past messages, group chats and people directly by logging into the Microsoft Teams application. Users will also be able to transfer all data to Teams without opening a new account or use the option to export data. However, Microsoft will gradually remove the search support for domestic and international phone numbers.
Microsoft 365 Cooperation Applications and Platforms President Jeff Teker said, “Skype users will have a completely control, if they want, they can switch to another platform by exporting all their chat history and person lists, and they can transfer to Microsoft Teams if they want,” he said.
Microsoft has developed a special export tool for users who want to move Skype data. Thanks to this vehicle, users will be able to easily view their old chat history and shared photos on Skype.
Skype will be accessible until May 5, and existing users will have a 60 -day time to switch to Teams or export their data. Microsoft Vice President Amit Fulay said, “If users want to switch to Teams, a large part of the process will be automatically realized. In the background, people are already integrated in message history and call records. ”
Microsoft will protect Skype group chats during the transition process and allow users to send messages to their friends who use Skype via Teams. However, the phone search feature, one of the basic features of Skype, will be completely removed. Fulay said, “Before the VoIP (Voice Interview over the Internet) technology became widespread, this feature gave a great advantage. However, thanks to high -speed internet connections and affordable mobile data packages today, the need for it has decreased. Erek
Microsoft also announced that it will honor the current Skype subscription loans, but will stop paid search services for new users. Existing Skype subscribers will be able to continue to use their subscriptions through Microsoft Teams until the next renewal period. However, those who use the Skype number will have to move their numbers to another service provider.
Skype was purchased by Microsoft in 2011
Skype’s decision to close came about 14 years after Microsoft’s purchase of Skype for $ 8.5 billion in 2011. Over the years, Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Messenger have been forced to compete with platforms. Zoom’s popularization in the first period of the COVID-19 pandema caused Skype to lose its market share significantly.
Tezer said, “The number of Skype users increased at the beginning of the pandema, but since then the figures remained constant. There was no sharp decrease, but the growth was not seen. ” Microsoft said that when Teams released in 2020 for individual users, it would remain connected to Skype. However, the steps taken in recent years have given the signals that Skype would gradually disable.
In December 2023, Microsoft disabled Skype loans and phone numbers to the subscription model, which was one of the most clear signs that show that Skype’s end was approaching. Teker said, “At first, we thought of positioning Teams as a single platform for both business and individual use. However, due to the fact that Teams was new, it was not possible to fully realize this in 2020. In the last few years, we have strengthened the free Teams experience and we think that the right time is coming now. Land
Microsoft emphasized that there will be no decrease in the labor force with Skype’s end. Teker said, “Microsoft Teams and Skype are working as a single team. In the background, these teams are united, so there will be no layoffs. On the contrary, efforts to improve the user experience will continue. ”
With this transition, Microsoft shifts all its focus on individual communication practices to Microsoft Teams. With Skype’s official closure, it can be easily said that a period ended in the world of technology.