Microsoft has officially announced that it will be shutting down Skype, its once-dominant video calling service, on May 5, 2025. In place of Skype, Microsoft Teams will become the go-to platform for consumers, offering a free version for everyday use.

This shift marks a significant change, as Skype users will be able to log into Microsoft Teams to access their message history and contacts. Users also have the option to export their data before Skype is fully discontinued. However, one major change is the removal of Skype’s paid telephony services, including the ability to make domestic and international calls—a feature that had once made Skype the leader in global calling.

Microsoft originally purchased Skype from eBay for $8.5 billion in 2011, at the time its largest acquisition. Skype revolutionized communication, but over time, it faced tough competition from newer services like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Google Meet, which have surpassed Skype in popularity and functionality.

This move to phase out Skype for consumers is not entirely surprising, as Microsoft already shut down Skype for Business in 2021. The platform's legacy, however, remains intact, as Skype was one of the first to introduce end-to-end encryption, a feature that is now standard across most modern messaging services.

The announcement marks the end of an era, but it also signals the future of communication, with Microsoft Teams leading the charge for both business and personal use.