skype replacement: Skype Shut Down: Who will replace Skype and what happens to your personal data? See all alternatives to Microsoft’s platform

Microsoft will officially shut down Skype on May 5, 2025. The platform, launched in 2003, will be replaced with Microsoft Teams Free. Microsoft is encouraging users to switch to Teams and continue using similar features through the new service.

Skype’s Journey

Skype was created in 2003 by a team of engineers in Tallinn, Estonia. It offered internet-based voice calls using VOIP technology. eBay bought Skype in 2005 and added video calling features. In 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion from eBay. At that time, Skype had 170 million users globally. Until 2017, Skype was widely used, including by the US government. Later, Microsoft introduced Teams, which gradually replaced Skype in many functions.

Transitioning to Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams Free will now take over Skype’s services. Users can log in to Teams with their Skype account details. There is no need to create a new account. All chats and contacts will move automatically to Teams. Teams Free allows one-on-one and group calls, messaging and file sharing. It also includes features like meeting hosting, calendar use and community tools.

Skype Data and Migration

After signing into Teams Free, a prompt will guide users to migrate data. Microsoft states the process takes less than one minute. However, chats with Teams work or school accounts, Skype Business users, and private conversations will not be transferred. Bot content and chat with self will also not migrate. Teams Free does not support those formats.

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Live Events

Users can export or delete Skype data until January 2026. If they switch to Teams before then, Skype history will remain available. After that, if no action is taken, data will be deleted. Call forwarding, Skype Credit gifting and Caller ID setup will stop from May 5, 2025.

Teams Free

Teams Free does not support paid calling plans. Small businesses can use Teams Essential with Microsoft Teams Phone. Skype for Business users are not affected by this change.

Alternatives to Skype

Users can explore VOIP options like Google Voice, which works in the US and Canada. Viber Out offers monthly global calling plans. Zoom Phone allows VOIP calls from the Zoom app. These platforms may help users transition from Skype.

FAQs

Will my Skype chat history be available in Teams?
Yes, if you log in with the same account. But private messages, bot content, and some chats won’t move to Teams Free.

What if I don’t migrate to Teams by January 2026?
If you don’t act by then, your Skype data, including messages and calls, will be permanently deleted.

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