Skype: If you have ever talked to a relative abroad, given a virtual interview or held an office meeting during lockdown, then you must have used Skype. But now the time has come when this trusted app is going to be closed forever.
Microsoft announced the closure of Skype in February 2025, and today i.e. May 5 is the last working day of Skype. After connecting people for 22 years, the company is now shutting it down so that Microsoft Teams can be taken forward.
Why is Skype shutting down?
Microsoft says that it now wants to make its free communication services easier and unified. That's why Teams is now being made its new face - the same calls, the same chat, but with smarter features and better integration.
5 important things for users
Today is the last day of Skype - after this the app will not be able to be used.
Sales of new services have already been halted — new users can no longer buy Skype Credit or calling plans.
Existing users get a temporary reprieve — those with paid plans can use it for the rest of their billing cycle.
Data transfer possible — you can access all chats and contacts in Teams by logging in with your Skype account.
Download your important data — your data could be permanently deleted once Skype shuts down, so it's important to back it up now.
If you're going to miss Skype, don't panic. There are several good options available in the market:
Microsoft Teams (Free) — This is the new replacement for Skype. Teams now has video calling, as well as features like community and scheduling.
Google Meet — The easiest option for Gmail users. Call quality is good, and up to 100 people can join.
Zoom — Still one of the most reliable tools for work meetings. There is only a 40-minute limit in the free version.
Slack — Great for teamwork and daily communication. Its ‘Huddle’ feature lets you start a call instantly.
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