Jakarta, INTI – Microsoft is officially retiring Skype on May 5, 2025, and publicly directing all users to switch to Microsoft Teams, a more modern and integrated communication platform.
Transition Platform
The official Skype website now displays a transition notice directing users to Microsoft Teams.Teams offers similar features to Skype, such as video calls, text conversations, and file sharing but with a more integrated experience that supports professional collaboration.
Users can simply log in using their old Skype account on Microsoft Teams to continue enjoying the same communication services as before. In addition, backups will be available until January 2026 before all Skype data is permanently deleted.
Paid Users and Skype Credit
For users who still have Skype Credit or paid features, access is still available but limited. After May 5, 2025, services such as Skype Dial Pad will only be accessible through the Skype web portal and Microsoft Teams. This transition process ensures users can still manage their remaining balance and premium services gradually.
Microsoft's Strategic Change
This move is part of Microsoft's strategy to simplify its digital communication ecosystem. By transitioning all Skype functionality to Teams, the company hopes to create a more efficient and centralized communication experience for both personal and professional needs.
Launched in 2003, Skype pioneered internet-based voice and video calling (VoIP) and revolutionized the way people communicate over long distances. Its popularity skyrocketed in the early 2000s, making it one of the most influential applications in the history of digital communication.
In 2011, Skype was acquired by Microsoft for USD 8.5 billion, at which time it had around 150 million monthly active users. Since then, Skype has continued to grow, but over time its functionality has been replaced by other platforms, including Teams.
Conclusion
The retirement of Skype marks the end of one of the digital communication icons that has accompanied millions of users around the world for more than two decades. Although it is leaving, Skype's legacy lives on through Microsoft Teams, which comes with more complete and relevant features for today's communication needs.
This step is not just a service closure, but part of Microsoft's digital transformation in uniting productivity, collaboration, and connectivity in one unified platform.
Goodbye, Skype. Thank you for connecting the world. Now, it's time to step into a new era with Teams.
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