Microsoft has announced plans to discontinue Skype, the once dominant internet-based phone and video service, after 21 years.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, the tech giant confirmed that Skype will be phased out by May 2025. Users are encouraged to transition to Microsoft Teams Free to retain their contacts and conversations.
“Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available. Over the coming days, you can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype account to stay connected with all your chats and contacts. Thank you for being part of Skype,” the statement read.
The decision comes 14 years after Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in its biggest cash acquisition at the time. Initially, Skype was integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Office and the now-defunct Windows Phone.
Despite a temporary resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, Skype has struggled to compete with modern alternatives like Zoom and Google Meet, leading to a steady decline in users.
Skype was originally launched in 2003 by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström, co-founders of the file-sharing platform Kazaa. They developed the service in Estonia with the help of former classmates who had no prior experience in telecommunications.
