Skype will officially shut down on Monday, May 5. Microsoft announced in February that it would be retiring the old video calling app. Its services will now be replaced by Microsoft Teams.
A group of engineers in Tallinn, Estonia, started Skype in 2003. It was one of the first apps to let people make phone calls over the internet instead of using landlines. Skype used a technology called VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), which turns voices into digital signals that travel online.
In 2005, the online shopping company eBay bought Skype and added video calling to it.
Then in 2011, Microsoft bought Skype from eBay for $8.5 billion. At that time, Skype had around 170 million users worldwide, according to The Associated Press.
Skype Once Led the Way in Online Communication
Until 2017, Skype was seen as a modern and advanced tool. Even the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump at the time, used it to answer questions from reporters. But shortly after that, Microsoft introduced a new service called Microsoft Teams.
When the Covid-19 pandemic started, apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom became more popular, while Skype started to fall behind.
Now, the day has finally come to say goodbye to Skype. This change will affect both free and paid users, but not those using Skype for Business.
What Happens to Your Skype Data and Account Now?
You can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free using your current Skype username and password, there’s no need to make a new account.
If you don’t want to use Microsoft Teams Free, you can still save your Skype data by exporting it.
To start using Teams, just download it from the official website. Then, log in with your Skype account details.
All your chats and contacts will move over to Teams Free automatically when you log in with your Skype ID.
What Happens to Your Skype Data?
When you log into Microsoft Teams Free, you’ll get a message on your Skype app asking you to move your data.
According to Microsoft, moving your Skype data to Teams Free should take less than a minute.
But some chats won’t be moved. This includes:
- Chats between Skype users and Teams work or school accounts
- Chats between Skype and Skype for Business users
- One-on-one chats with yourself
- Private conversation messages
- Messages from bots or Copilot
Also, Teams Free does not support bots or Copilot, and you won’t see their old messages either.
When Will Skype Data No Longer Be Available?
You have until January 2026 to export or delete your Skype data. If you log in to Microsoft Teams Free before then, your Skype call and chat history will still be available.
If you don’t takle action, your Skype data will be deleted in January 2026.
Also, starting on May 5, services like call forwarding, Skype Credit gifting, and Caller ID setup will no longer be available.
Microsoft Teams Free doesn’t support paid calling plans, but small businesses can choose Teams Essential, which can work with Microsoft Teams Phone for cloud-based calls.
Users of Skype for Business won’t be affected by the shutdown or any other changes.
Teams Free vs Skype: What’s the Difference?
Microsoft Teams Free has all the basic features of Skype, like one-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. Plus, it offers extra features like hosting meetings, managing your calendar, and joining or creating groups.
Teams Free is made for better communication and teamwork, with improved tools to help you work together and be more productive.
Also Read: Apple To Sell Nearly $40 Billion Worth Of Indian iPhones In FY 2026: Indigenously Produced iPhones To Fulfill Global Demand?
