Microsoft has confirmed that Skype, the once-dominant video-calling service, will be shutting down in May. The platform, which revolutionized online communication by enabling free
computer-to-computer voice and video calls, was a household name with hundreds of millions of users worldwide.
Although not the first of its kind, Skype played a crucial role in popularizing internet-based calls, making global conversations more accessible. In an announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Skype informed users they could continue their chats and contacts by signing into Microsoft Teams.
End of an era
Microsoft has not issued an official statement in response to media inquiries, including from BBC News. The tech giant acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion (£6.1 billion), marking its biggest acquisition at the time. The service was later integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Windows and Xbox.
Skype's influence was widely acknowledged—tech expert Om Malik once called it one of the "key applications of the modern web" when a global outage in December 2010 disrupted communications.
Nostalgia and memories
News of Skype’s impending closure has sparked memories from users who relied on the platform for years. One user on X expressed sadness, recalling the many conversations they had with a best friend.
Another long-time user, Louise, told the BBC about how Skype helped maintain her long-distance relationship across the Atlantic. "At the time, before smartphones and WhatsApp, it was a game-changer," she said.
Anna Simpson from Cedarwood Digital reminisced about using Skype to stay in touch with her grandparents after they moved to France nearly two decades ago. "It felt like magic back then—no hefty international call fees, just a quick dial-up and some pixelated faces keeping us connected," she shared on LinkedIn.
What led to Skype’s demise?
When Microsoft acquired Skype, it had already been downloaded over a billion times and boasted a massive user base. Then-CEO Steve Ballmer envisioned a future of "real-time communications" powered by Skype.
However, the rise of competitors like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger gradually diminished Skype’s relevance. A 2017 redesign, which introduced features reminiscent of Snapchat, was met with backlash. Tech journalist Rachel Kaser noted that users were frustrated because "it was fixing something that wasn’t broken."
By 2021, signs of Skype's decline became evident when Microsoft announced Windows 11. Unlike previous versions, Skype was no longer pre-installed, while Microsoft Teams took center stage—bolstered by the pandemic-driven shift to remote work.
The future: Microsoft teams
Following the official shutdown announcement, Microsoft’s President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms, Jeff Teper, published a blog post explaining the decision. Microsoft aims to streamline its free communication services and will now focus on Teams.
"Teams offers many of the same core features as Skype, including one-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing," Teper stated. "Additionally, it provides enhanced capabilities like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building communities—all for free."
Skype users can transition to Microsoft Teams or export their data, including chat histories and contacts. For customers with paid Skype services, Microsoft has assured continued access until their next renewal period.
With this, Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on Skype—though, as some have noted, the platform has been on "life support" for years. Photo by Microsoft, Wikimedia commons.