Skype -

: Users were given until January 2026 to export or delete their data through the Skype Export Portal .

Skype was officially , marking the end of its era as a standalone consumer video calling service. Microsoft has shifted its focus to Microsoft Teams (free) , which now serves as the primary communications hub for personal and professional use. While the service is discontinued, users with paid credits can still use the Skype Dial Pad for traditional phone calls for the time being. Key Details of the Shutdown Retirement Date : May 5, 2025. : Users were given until January 2026 to

: After a confusing acquisition by eBay in 2005, it was eventually sold to Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion . While the service is discontinued, users with paid

Skype's journey from a revolutionary peer-to-peer (P2P) service to its final shutdown is often analyzed as a classic case of missed opportunities. While the service is discontinued