Skype shuts down today: Here's how to secure and transfer your data

Microsoft will officially retire Skype on May 5, marking the end of the once-dominant internet video and voice calling service.

The tech giant had announced the move in February, stating that Skype’s core features would be integrated into Microsoft Teams Free.

Originally developed in 2003 by a team of engineers in Tallinn, Estonia, Skype pioneered internet-based voice calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The platform gained global popularity and underwent multiple ownership changes, including acquisitions by eBay in 2005 and Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion.

Skype played a significant role in digital communications, including use by U.S. government officials as recently as 2017. However, competition from platforms like Zoom, Slack, and Teams, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, gradually reduced its user base.

Microsoft Teams Free will now serve as its successor.

Chat history, contacts to migrate automatically 

Users can access Teams Free using their existing Skype credentials without creating a new account.

Contacts and chats will be automatically migrated, though some content such as private conversations and chats with Teams work or school accounts will not be transferred.

Skype data will remain accessible until January 2026 for users who log in to Teams Free. After that, data will be deleted if no action is taken.

Features such as call forwarding, Skype Credit gifting, and Caller ID setup will be discontinued from May 5.

Skype for Business users will not be affected by the shutdown.