Goodbye Skype: Microsoft Pulls The Plug On The Video-Calling Pioneer After 22 Years of Digital Connections

Skype Ends After 22 Years As Microsoft Shifts Focus To Teams

After more than two decades of connecting people across borders, Skype has officially shut down.

Microsoft pulled the plug on the once-popular video calling app on 5 May 2025, closing a chapter in internet communication history.

The move comes as Microsoft sharpens its focus on Teams, the workplace platform it launched in 2016 that has since absorbed most of Skype’s core features.

Why Did Skype Fall Behind?

Skype first launched in 2003 and quickly became a go-to platform for free video and voice calls over the internet.

By the mid-2010s, it boasted over 300 million active users.

But as digital communication evolved, Skype struggled to keep pace.

Skype’s original website, which started in Estonia and launched in 2003 (Source: webdesignmuseum.org)

Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram gained traction, while Zoom saw explosive growth during the pandemic.

Even within Microsoft’s own ecosystem, Skype’s relevance declined as Teams grew into its flagship tool for meetings, chat, and collaboration.

Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, intending to make it a cornerstone of its communications strategy.

However, the company gradually shifted its resources to Teams, especially after remote work surged in popularity.

In a statement issued in February, Microsoft confirmed Skype would be retired on 5 May, with Teams now positioned as the primary communication platform.

The Skype website now displays a farewell message, guiding users to Teams to continue their communication.

Can Skype Users Keep Their Chats?

Microsoft is offering a straightforward transition for those still using Skype.

Paid users can move to Teams at no extra cost, while conversation histories and contact lists will carry over automatically.

However, users looking to shift their data to non-Microsoft platforms like Zoom or Discord might not have the same migration support.

Data export remains available until January 2026.

As of 2023, Skype had about 36 million daily users — a sharp drop from its peak.

Despite the decline, loyal users continued to rely on the platform, especially for personal calls and casual chats.

Its shutdown has left some nostalgic fans reflecting on its impact during the early days of online video communication.

Who’s Still Competing In The Video Call Space?

With Skype now offline, platforms like Discord, Zoom, and WhatsApp continue to dominate.

Discord, in particular, has grown far beyond its gaming roots.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced that the company was preparing for an Initial Public Offering.

Although the IPO has no official date yet, the announcement triggered concerns among long-time users, many of whom worry that monetisation could lead to fewer free features.

Microsoft, meanwhile, remains committed to Teams, especially for business users.

With its video and messaging features now centralised there, the company has made it clear that Teams is the future of its communication services.

A Look Back At Skype’s Journey

Before Microsoft, Skype had already changed hands.

eBay acquired the platform in 2005 for $2.6 billion, but the relationship was short-lived.

A group of investors took control in 2009, later selling it to Microsoft two years later.

From changing how families stayed in touch to becoming a lifeline for remote workers and students, Skype played a crucial role in shaping digital conversations.

But as technology advanced and competition tightened, the once-dominant service faded into the background — quietly replaced by faster, more integrated platforms.

As the familiar blue “S” icon disappears, users are left with memories of a time when “Skype me” was a common phrase — and a platform that helped define the early era of online calls.