KUALA LUMPUR – Skype, the once-revolutionary voice and video calling app that reshaped how millions connected around the globe and helped families save costs on international call charges to far-off loved ones, has officially signed off.
After 21 years, Microsoft has announced the permanent shutdown of Skype, effective May 5, 2025 (yesterday), marking the end of an era in digital communication.
Launched in 2003, Skype was a pioneer in letting people call, message and video chat over the internet – long before smartphones and 4G made it a norm. At its peak, the app boasted over 300 million users and became a household name across the globe, including Malaysia.
For many, it was the platform that brought loved ones together across borders, whether for work, long-distance relationships, or just a quick catch-up with family.
But in recent years, Skype has slipped out of relevance. The pandemic years saw the rise of newer players like Zoom, which quickly became synonymous with remote work, online classes and virtual meetups – a position Skype once held.
However, while Zoom surged, Microsoft’s own Teams platform emerged as a major competitor in the workplace communication space.
Microsoft, which acquired Skype in 2011 for US$8.5 billion, said in a statement: “The way we communicate has evolved significantly over the years.
“In order to streamline our free consumer communications offerings so we can more easily adapt to customer needs, we will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free).”
Microsoft 365 Collab Apps & Platforms president Jeff Teper told CNBC: “We’ve learned a lot from Skype over the years that we’ve put into Teams. But we felt like now is the time…we can deliver more innovation faster just by being focused on Teams.”
For existing users, the transition is seemingly simple. Skype accounts can now be used to log into the free version of Microsoft Teams, where users will find all their chats and contacts intact. Users have until January 2026 to download or export their data before it is deleted permanently.
Microsoft Teams, launched in 2017, has now become the company’s flagship communication tool, used by hundreds of millions across work, education, and personal use. Over the past two years, the time users spend on Teams calls has quadrupled, according to Microsoft.
The move to close Skype mirrors Microsoft’s broader shift toward unified, cloud-based collaboration – and away from standalone platforms. Skype for Business was phased out in 2021, and Windows 11 embedded Teams as the default messaging app, effectively sidelining Skype.
In December last year, the slow goodbye began with Microsoft disabling Skype credit top-ups and stopping new subscriptions. Now, the farewell is official.
“As we say goodbye to Skype, we want to thank our incredible community. Over the years, you’ve connected with family, friends, and colleagues across the world,” the company wrote in a farewell message on X.
For many Malaysians, Skype was more than just a calling app – it was the first taste of free international conversations, job interviews from across the world, and virtual family reunions.
Its familiar ringtone may soon fade, but the memories of a simpler, more direct way to connect will linger on. – May 6, 2025