Overview

• Skype, launched in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, officially shut down on May 5, 2025, marking the end of its 22-year run.
• Microsoft Teams Free is now the primary platform for communication, with Skype users able to log in using their existing credentials and automatically transfer chats and contacts.
• Users have until January 2026 to export or delete their Skype data; data will be permanently deleted if no action is taken by the deadline.
• Skype for Business remains unaffected by the shutdown, while paid Skype features have been discontinued for new customers, with existing credits valid until their next renewal.
• Skype's decline was accelerated by the rise of mobile-first and cloud-native competitors like Zoom and WhatsApp, as well as Microsoft's strategic focus on Teams since its 2017 launch.