Microsoft Confirms Skype Is Shutting Down

Microsoft confirms Skype's sunset: Microsoft has officially confirmed to The Verge that Skype will cease operations on May 20th, 2025. The company's free consumer version of Microsoft Teams will take its place. Microsoft assures users they will have control over their data, with options to migrate conversation history and contacts to Teams or other platforms. However, telephony features will be discontinued.

This news, while not entirely unexpected, marks the end of a 21-year run for Skype. The app's popularity has waned in recent years, with competitors like Discord gaining traction and Microsoft's own Teams emerging as a strong alternative.

Evidence of the shutdown surfaced earlier via How-To Geek, reporting on strings of code within a recent Skype Insider preview. These strings indicate upcoming in-app notifications informing users of Skype's discontinuation and guiding them to migrate to Microsoft Teams.

Analysis of the app's code reveals messages prompting users to switch to Teams, including a feature showcasing how many of their contacts have already made the transition. The app will reportedly assist with the download, installation, and migration process.

While Microsoft hasn't yet made a public announcement, the writing was on the wall. Skype's user base has significantly declined, particularly among business users who have migrated to Teams. Although Skype has received updates, they have been infrequent. The app retains a loyal user base, particularly for international calls and video calls with family, but the recent discontinuation of Skype credits further signaled a shift in Microsoft's strategy.

This mirrors the 2013 shutdown of Windows Live Messenger, whose users were seamlessly transitioned to Skype. Whether Skype's demise will have a similar impact remains to be seen.

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