Microsoft is formally retiring Skype on Might 5, ending the app’s two-decade run as a pioneer in video calling. The transfer alerts Microsoft’s full shift towards Groups, its all-in-one messaging and video platform.
“At this level, placing all our focus behind Groups will allow us to give a less complicated message and drive sooner innovation,” Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms President Jeff Teper advised TechCrunch.
Skype service will finish on Might 5
An XDA Builders reader first noticed a string of code inside Skype in Home windows preview displaying a message about migration. The message says “Beginning in Might, Skype will not be out there. Proceed your calls and chats in Groups.”
Microsoft confirmed the Skype shutdown in an official weblog on Friday. “With Groups, customers have entry to lots of the similar core options they use in Skype, reminiscent of one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing,” Teper wrote. “Moreover, Groups presents enhanced options like internet hosting conferences, managing calendars, and constructing and becoming a member of communities free of charge.”
SEE: A Slack outage this week stemmed from an issue within the Occasions API and an ongoing problem.
Skype struggled to discover a place subsequent to Groups
As soon as a dominant drive in video communication, Skype has struggled to compete in a market now led by Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime. Regardless of seeing some progress in the course of the 2020 lockdowns, Skype’s person base dwindled to 36 million by 2023, whereas Microsoft Groups surged to 320 million customers.
Microsoft supplied a Skype for Enterprise tier from 2015 to 2021; after 2021, it prioritized Groups as each a messaging and video resolution on Home windows 11.
Tips on how to transition from Skype to Groups
Within the coming days, Skype customers will be capable of check in to Groups utilizing their present Skype credentials. Members of the Groups and Skype Insider packages could make the swap instantly, with all Skype chats and contacts mechanically showing in Groups.
Between now and Might, Groups and Skype customers will be capable of name and chat throughout platforms.
Skype knowledge (chats, contacts, and name historical past) may be exported manually if the person needs to hold on to it as an alternative of shifting it to Groups. Nonetheless, Skype Credit score and worldwide calling subscriptions are not out there. Current Skype subscriptions will stay lively till their subsequent renewal date.
The Skype Dial Pad will keep on-line for paid customers, residing inside the Skype internet portal and in Groups.