Skype, once the undisputed king of video calling, might finally be shutting down. A report from XDA Developers suggests that a hidden message in the latest Skype preview version hints at its closure. The message reportedly states, “Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams.” This suggests that Microsoft is planning to fully move Skype users to Teams, a transition that has been in progress for years.
While Skype still has over 36 million daily users, its popularity has faded. Microsoft’s actions over the past few years hint at its declining interest in the platform. In December 2023, the company stopped selling Skype credits, signaling that the service was on its way out.
Skype was launched in 2003 and became one of the biggest names in internet calling. Microsoft acquired it in 2011 for $8.5 billion, integrating it into Windows, Xbox, and even the now-defunct Windows Phone. Despite redesigns and new features, Skype struggled to keep up with WhatsApp, Zoom, and even.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, video calling apps became more important than ever, but Skype failed to take advantage of the surge. Instead, Microsoft focused on Teams, which quickly became the preferred tool for businesses and eventually expanded to general users with “Teams Free.”
Microsoft did try to revive Skype by adding features like Skype Clips and integrating AI-powered Copilot, but these efforts didn’t bring the platform back to relevance. Instead, Microsoft took what worked from Skype and used it to strengthen Teams.
If the report is true, Skype users will soon have to switch to Teams. Microsoft has already been encouraging users to do so, with messages like “Your friends have already moved to Teams Free” appearing in Skype previews. This makes it clear that Microsoft wants to focus on a single communication platform instead of maintaining both Skype and Teams.
For longtime users, this might feel like the end of an era. Skype was once a pioneer in video calling, but in a world where Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime dominate, its role has faded.
Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed Skype’s shutdown, but signs strongly suggest that it will happen in May 2025. Moving users to Teams makes business sense, but it also shows how quickly technology evolves. Once-popular platforms can become irrelevant if they don’t adapt to user needs. For those still using Skype, it’s time to look for alternatives. Whether that means switching to Teams or using other video calling apps, Skype’s journey is coming to an end. The internet is saying goodbye to one of the most iconic communication tools of the early 2000s.
