Microsoft to Replace Skype with Free Teams in May

Microsoft has officially announced that it will discontinue Skype in May, replacing it with a free version of Microsoft Teams.

The confirmation arrives at a time when platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, FaceTime, and Messenger dominate Voice over IP (VoIP) communications, effectively relegating direct calls to mobile phones via services like Skype to the past.

According to The Verge, existing Skype users can log into the Microsoft Teams app and access all their content—message history, contacts, and more—without needing to create a separate account. At the same time, Microsoft will gradually end support for domestic and international calling.

Skype users also have the option to export their data, such as photos and conversation logs. For those who prefer not to switch to Teams, Microsoft has provided a tool to help them review their current Skype chat history.

You have until May 5 to decide, when Skype will go offline. Regardless of the choice, Microsoft will honor any remaining Skype credits, though new customers will no longer be able to access paid Skype features for making or receiving international and domestic calls.

What disappears with Skype’s shutdown is the ability to place calls to regular phone numbers. Microsoft told The Verge that while telephony services were popular during Skype's peak, they are less relevant today.

“We look at usage patterns and trends, and this feature was essential at a time when VoIP wasn’t widely available and mobile data plans were costly,” explained Amit Fulay, Microsoft's Vice President of Product. “Looking ahead, that's not an area we plan to focus on.”

Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011, describing the deal as a step to “strengthen the company’s long-standing commitment to real-time video and voice communications, while opening up new markets for Skype’s more than 160 million active users.”

At its peak, Skype became integral to Windows devices and was even promoted as a key feature of Xbox consoles. However, according to Microsoft, Skype’s user base has stagnated in recent years. The company’s focus is now directed toward Microsoft Teams for consumers.