Skype Bids Farewell: Here's How to Easily Migrate to Microsoft Teams
Skype's shutdown means data loss; learn how to retrieve your data on Teams instead.
The iconic video calling and messaging platform, Skype, is waving goodbye on May 5, 2025. To ensure your contacts and precious conversations aren't lost in the wind, Microsoft urges you to swap Skype for Teams without breaking a sweat. Follow our smooth guide to making this transition seamless.
The Lowdown on Migrating to Teams
To make your transition as smooth as possible, Microsoft has devised an automated data migration process from Skype. With the installation of Teams, you can effortlessly export your precious contacts, deep chat history, and group discussions to your new Teams account.
To make the magic happen:
- Fire up Skype and sign in with your existing credentials. You'll be presented with an enticing option to download Teams or open it if it's already installed.
- Open Teams and sign in using your Skype credentials.
- A pop-up window will appear, inviting you to get started. Give it a hearty click.
- Teams will then offer one of your Skype profiles. Click on the one you wish to transfer.
- You may be asked to confirm your first and last name. Just click on confirm.
- And that's all, mate! Your Teams account is now primed and ready to go.
Note: After January 2026, your Skype data, kindly stored on Microsoft servers, will be forcefully evicted. It's crucial to make this migration ASAP to safeguard your valuable information.
The Sun Sets on an Era
Skype, which famously paved the way for VoIP calls and claimed the throne from MSN, long held court as the king of video conversations and messaging. However, its reign has gradually waned as fierce competitors such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and Teams itself stormed the scene. Launching Teams in 2017, Microsoft already hinted at a gradual transition to a more comprehensive solution. Today, the time has finally arrived—Skype must reluctantly cede its throne.
"Hundreds of millions of people already use Teams as a collaborative platform, empowering them to stay connected and engaged across various settings—work, school, and home," explains Microsoft in a blog post. The company attributes Skype's death knell to the shifting patterns of usage and user expectations. Teams aims to be the perfect one-stop-shop, uniting instant messaging, voice and video calls, and collaborative document sharing.
A Gradual Farewell
During a 60-day transitional period commencing from the official closure, Skype will linger on in Teams, albeit with limited functionality. Users of both platforms can continue communicating without any interruptions. However, the ability to make telephone calls to national or international numbers, as well as to mobiles, is permanently extinguished on Skype. Skype subscriptions and credits already paid can be transferred to Teams or used via the dedicated web portal.
Those who aren't ready to hop aboard the Teams bandwagon can still export their Skype data (contacts, chat history, and calls) to hoard it on their local devices. Microsoft also offers a tool for offline perusal of old Skype conversations.
Enjoy the Best of Teams
Looking forward to savoring the perks of Teams? Check out our guide to the finest laptops available on the market. Soon, Skype will be dawning on the horizon, but Teams promises to elevate your communication and collaboration experience to new heights.
About Microsoft
For more compelling information about messaging, high-tech, and shopping, make sure to follow Microsoft's latest publications.
- By the year 2025, Skype, the video calling and messaging platform, will be launching its final goodbye on May 5, and Microsoft strongly advises users to migrate to Teams for a seamless data transition.
- To make the transition from Skype to Teams smoother, Microsoft has developed an automated data migration process that allows users to export their contacts, chat history, and group discussions directly to their Teams account.
- As Skype technology grows weaker in the competitive landscape dominated by Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams, the company has chose to phase out Skype and focus on the all-in-one solution provided by Teams, which offers instant messaging, voice and video calls, and collaborative document sharing.
