Skype, launched in August 2003, was created and developed by Niklas Zennström from Sweden and Janus Friis from Denmark and four Estonian developers and engineers. The platform quickly gained popularity for its ability to provide free voice and video calls over the internet, and it passed through various owners, including eBay, until it was bought by Microsoft in 2011. In February, Microsoft announced Skype’s shutdown will occur on 5 May 2025.
Arrivederci, Auf Wedersein, Adieu!*
*Other languages apply. The news broke in February, and like with all death announcements or relationship break-ups, there is a period of reflection, remembering the good times and then ultimately trying to piece together what happened, where did it all go wrong for Skype, and could its demise have been prevented? What can we learn from the platform, one of the first widely available video calling options on Android, who lasted just short of 22 years, in the digital era?
Stay Relevant
Skype failed to evolve, despite its decade lead over some of its competitors, including home-grown MS Teams. One reason is lack of mobile optimisation – Skype was built for desktops, while competitor Zoom prioritised mobile integration. Zoom’s success has been achieved by taking a customer-focused approach – listening to customer feedback and keeping the interface optimised for user experiences. Skype increasingly suffered from clunky updates, long load times and an interface that many users found frustrating.
Missed Opportunities
When the Covid-19 pandemic created an unprecedented demand for online meetings, Skype failed to capitalise on the opportunity, while Zoom dominated the space. Microsoft’s focus shifted fully to Teams, and Skype became an afterthought.
Bat off Rivals for Affection
Newer platforms, such as Webex and Google Meet, emerged with simpler, more reliable user experiences. Focus within Microsoft shifted to Teams as a more comprehensive collaboration tool, integrating messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing – features that ultimately overshadowed Skype.
Don’t Over-Complicate Things
The user experience became complicated for Skype customers, especially with features most core users did not want or need. Microsoft should have refined the core video call experience. Frequent redesigns meant the app underwent major UI changes that confused users. The introduction of chatbots and third-party add-ins added to the complexity for users who merely wanted a straightforward messaging and calling service. Microsoft’s digital assistant, Cortana, within Skype, was not universally welcomed. Some users found it intrusive, especially when it attempted to offer suggestions during conversations.
Over time, Skype’s settings became more layered, making navigation and customisation more cumbersome for users seeking simplicity. Long loading times and glitches frustrated both personal and business users.
Integration with services like OneDrive, LinkedIn, and Microsoft Office can sometimes complicate the user interface and workflow for those who primarily want a simple communication tool. Skype added “Highlights,” similar to Instagram Stories, which didn’t resonate with many users looking for a core communication tool rather than social media features.
Start a New Relationship
The shift in Microsoft’s priorities became clear when it launched Teams in 2017. Whether the remaining Skype users stick with the familiar and embrace Teams, or seek alternatives like Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Meet or FaceTime remains to be seen.
Sadly, paid Skype services will be discontinued. Features like Skype Credit and international calling subscriptions will no longer be available for new customers, and existing users will have limited access after the shutdown date. Current Skype subscription users can continue to use their Skype Credits and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period.
After 5 May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams.
Jeff Teper, Microsoft President – Microsoft 365 Collaborative Apps & Platforms sets out the choices and steps current Skype users should take before 5 May 2025, see here for the full blog. During this transition period:
1 Move to Microsoft Teams for free. MS will enable Skype users to sign into Teams (free) using their Skype credentials. By logging in to Teams with a Skype account, chats and contacts will automatically appear in the app. Teams users can call and chat with Skype users, and vice versa, during the transition.
2 Export your Skype data. If you prefer not to migrate to Teams, you can instead export your data including chats, contacts, and call history.
How to get started with Teams for free, with 3 steps:
- 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.
