Skype rings for the last time after three decades: What’s next for users?

Dubai: After more than two decades of connecting families, friends and colleagues across the globe, Skype is officially shut down on May 5. The closure, first announced in February 2025, marks the end of an era for the pioneering internet calling and messaging service, which Microsoft acquired nearly 14 years ago.

Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a household name, revolutionising online communication. At its peak in the mid-2010s, it boasted over 300 million monthly active users. However, the rise of newer platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams gradually pushed Skype out of the spotlight.

When Microsoft purchased Skype in May 2011, the deal represented its largest acquisition at the time. The platform played a key role in Microsoft’s early mobile strategy and was widely adopted in homes for personal video and voice calls. However, the company's efforts to reposition Skype for workplace use faltered in the face of growing competition, particularly from Slack.

Eventually, Microsoft opted to develop an entirely new product, Microsoft Teams, which has since become a central component of its productivity suite and a strong competitor to platforms like Slack, now owned by Salesforce. Skype for Business will remain available for a limited time, but the consumer version of Skype is being phased out entirely.

Over the years, Skype also faced stiff competition from apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat and WeChat. Users increasingly reported technical issues including missed or phantom calls and problems syncing across devices. Although Microsoft worked to improve reliability, the platform’s frequent redesigns, such as a short-lived attempt to mimic Snapchat’s interface, left some long-time users disillusioned.

The decision to shut down Skype reflects Microsoft’s broader shift in focus towards enhancing Teams, particularly with the integration of new artificial intelligence features.

According to Microsoft, existing Skype users can migrate to Microsoft Teams for free. By signing into Teams with their Skype credentials on any supported device, users will find their contacts and chat history automatically transferred. A prompt within the Skype app will guide users through the migration process.

For those who prefer not to use Teams, Microsoft is offering an option to export Skype data. Users have until January 2026 to download or migrate their information, after which it will be permanently deleted.