Skype is shutting down: What it means for your business and how to prepare

Microsoft has announced that Skype, one of the leaders in internet calling and video chats, will be shutting down on 5th May 2025. This news marks the end of an era for a service that has been bringing people together globally since 2003. 

Microsoft stated: “Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honoured to have been part of the journey.” However, the company has decided to retire the service to focus on Microsoft Teams as its primary communications platform. 

As both businesses and individuals prepare for this change, it’s important to know what it involves and begin to explore your options to keep your communications running smoothly. 

When will Skype shut down? 

Microsoft has confirmed that Skype will officially shut down on 5th May 2025. According to Microsoft’s official announcement, once the service is shut down, users will no longer have access to their call and messaging history or contacts list unless they take action before the deadline. 

The company’s statement explains: “Moving forward, we will no longer offer paid Skype features to new customers, including Skype Credit and subscriptions that allow you to make and receive international and domestic calls. Current Skype subscription users can continue to use their Skype Credits and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period. Skype Credit users can also continue to use their remaining Skype Credit.“ 

Microsoft also announced that current Skype Number subscriptions will keep renewing automatically until 3rd April 2025. Even after the shutdown in May, the Skype Dial Pad will still be accessible to paid users through the Skype web portal and within Teams. 

During this transition period, Skype will keep working as usual, giving users plenty of time to: 

• Export their chat history, contacts, and call history 

• Inform contacts about their new communication methods 

• Research and implement alternative solutions 

• Train team members on new platforms 

Microsoft has started to send notifications to Skype users about the upcoming shutdown, providing in-app messages to help users migrate their data. 

Why is Microsoft shutting down Skype? 

Microsoft announced that they are discontinuing Skype to simplify their free communication services for consumers. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, but in recent years, they have been prioritising Microsoft Teams as their main communication tool. The decision to discontinue Skype is based on several reasons: 

1. Evolving communication needs – Microsoft noted that the way we communicate has changed a lot over the years, and Teams is designed to address these new needs better. 
2. Increasing use of Teams – Microsoft reports that “hundreds of millions of people already use Teams” and “in the past two years, the number of minutes spent in meetings by consumer users of Teams has grown 4x”. 
3. Consolidation of services – Microsoft is simplifying its communication tools to eliminate any overlap between different products. 
4. Improved features – Teams offers many of the same basic features as Skype, but it also has extra functions like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building communities. 
5. Technical architecture – Teams is built on a newer and more scalable foundation than Skype. 

The COVID-19 pandemic also accelerated this change because Microsoft focused on improving Teams to handle the surge in remote work, while the development of Skype slowed down considerably. 

What’s next for Skype users? 

If you’re currently using Skype for your business communications, Microsoft has outlined two clear options:

1. Move to Microsoft Teams free

Microsoft is actively encouraging Skype users to transition to Microsoft Teams. You can easily sign in to Teams using your Skype login, and your contacts and conversations will seamlessly transfer to the app, allowing you to quickly pick up where you left off. This feature is currently being introduced, beginning with those who are members of both the Teams and Skype Insider programs. 

During the transition period, Teams users can call and chat with Skype users and vice versa, making sure you can keep in touch with everyone regardless of which platform they’re on. 

To get started with Teams: 

• Download Teams on your device from the official Microsoft Teams website 

• Log in with your Skype credentials 

• Start using Teams with all your Skype chats and contacts ready to go 

2. Export your Skype data

If you’d prefer not to migrate to Teams, you can export your data including chats, contacts, and call history before the 5th May 2025 deadline. Here’s how: 

To export Skype conversations: 

1. Sign in to the Export page with your Microsoft account 
2. Select the option to download your Conversations 
3. Select Submit request > Continue 
4. Periodically check back to monitor the status of the export 
5. When the export is ready, select Download 

To export Skype contacts: 

1. Sign in to your Skype account 
2. From the My Account page, scroll to Settings and preferences 
3. Choose Export contacts (.csv) to download the file 

Can you transfer your Skype number? 

Absolutely! Plus, it’s easier than you think. If your business has been using a Skype number as your main contact line, there’s no need to worry about losing it when Skype shuts down. Alternatively, Moneypenny offers thousands of Clever Numbers, if you’d prefer to set up a new one that mirrors the same area code and functionality. 

Whether you need a local, national, or toll-free number, Clever Numbers lets you keep that same professional image and route calls wherever you need, be it your mobile, landline, or even your Teams set-up. You can manage everything through a simple online portal, giving you full control without needing to rely on internet-based services like Skype. 

But Clever Numbers is just the beginning. Pairing your number with our Telephone Answering solution takes your business communication to the next level. Your calls will be answered by a real, UK-based Moneypenny Receptionist, trained to sound exactly like they’re part of your in-house team. Whether you’re in a meeting, on the move, or just focusing on the work that matters most, we ensure no call or opportunity is ever missed. 

To learn more about how Moneypenny can help your business during this transition, contact us today on 0333 202 1005.