ICYMI: Microsoft Officially Shuts Down Skype

Skype, once a trailblazer in internet-based communications, has officially shut down after more than 20 years of service. Microsoft confirmed the closure, which took effect after Monday, marking the end of an era for the pioneering platform.

This comes as Microsoft continues consolidating its communication tools under Microsoft Teams, which it now promotes as its primary collaboration platform. Skype users have been encouraged to transition to Teams, where chat histories and contacts can be migrated automatically.

Microsoft announced in February that Skype would remain available until May 5.

“Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey,” said Jeff Teper, President of Collaborative Apps and Platforms at Microsoft, in a blog post earlier this year.

Founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, Skype was among the first services to popularize voice and video calls over the internet. What started as a tool for internet-based phone calls quickly evolved into a multifunctional app offering video calling and instant messaging, all free of charge. Its early success positioned it as a staple for both casual users and businesses, reaching more than 300 million users at its peak, according to the Washington Post.

Skype was acquired by eBay in 2005 for USD2.6 billion before being sold to a group of investors in 2009. Microsoft purchased the platform in 2011, aiming to integrate it into its expanding suite of communication tools.

Despite its early dominance, Skype struggled to maintain momentum amid growing competition from platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp,

Google Meet, and Slack.

Moreover, usage began to decline significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when video conferencing tools saw a global surge.

Skype had around 40 million users in early 2020, but that number dropped to 36 million by 2023. Microsoft’s own Teams platform, meanwhile, has gained traction in enterprise and education sectors, offering a wider range of collaborative features and tighter integration with other Microsoft services.

Microsoft has not released details about what will happen to Skype’s remaining infrastructure or branding.

However, the tech giant maintains that Teams will be the company’s future for digital communication, offering video calls, messaging, file sharing, and real-time collaboration. (GFB)