Skype, once the undisputed pioneer of internet-based video calls, has officially been shut down by Microsoft as of 5 May 2025, marking the end of a two-decade era in digital communication.

The decision was announced earlier this year when Microsoft confirmed it would shut down Skype in favour of Microsoft Teams, its newer and more integrated communication platform. The company cited the rapid growth of Teams usage among everyday consumers, stating that meeting minutes on Teams have quadrupled in the past two years alone.

Skype users will now be redirected to Teams, where they can log in with their existing credentials, according to Microsoft.

Launched in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, Skype was once synonymous with internet calling and video chat, predating and shaping the digital communication landscape that platforms like Zoom, Messenger, and WhatsApp now dominate. However, the service struggled to maintain relevance as competitors surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering simpler interfaces, faster performance, and better mobile integration.

Despite past assurances that Skype would continue, Microsoft's strategy has visibly shifted in recent years. Skype's key features have been steadily integrated into Teams, a platform designed to unify chat, meetings, and file sharing within both workplace and personal settings.

With Skype now officially offline, Microsoft closes a chapter on one of its most recognisable brands. Once a verb for calling someone online, Skype's sunset is a reflection of how rapidly communication habits have evolved in the virtual world.