Skype is no longer scheduled to shut down. It retired on May 5, 2025. That matters if you are searching for a way to sign in, recover old conversations, or keep using Skype Credit: consumer Skype has ended, while Skype for Business is a separate product.
Microsoft’s recommended replacement is Microsoft Teams Free. Eligible users can sign in with the Microsoft account connected to Skype, and contacts and chats may appear in Teams. The move is not identical for every kind of data, so this guide explains what changed, what to try now, and which old migration instructions are obsolete.
What happened to Skype?
Microsoft retired consumer Skype on May 5, 2025. The change affected free and paid Skype users. It did not retire Skype for Business, which follows a different product and support path.
Microsoft directed consumer users to Teams Free because it covers messaging, audio calls, video meetings, communities, and other features that overlap with Skype. Teams is not simply the old Skype app with a new interface, so users should expect a different layout and a broader set of account and meeting options.
Can I still use Skype?
No, not as a normal consumer calling and messaging service. Installing an old Skype app will not reliably restore access. If you need old contacts or chats, sign in to Teams Free with the same Microsoft account and follow any migration prompt shown for your account.
Skype for Business is different. Organisations using that product should follow their administrator’s migration plan rather than treating this consumer guide as a business-system migration guide.
How to move from Skype to Microsoft Teams Free
Use the official Microsoft Teams download page or open Teams on the web. Do not download a supposed Skype replacement from an unofficial site.
1. Install or open Teams Free
- Download Teams from Microsoft or your device’s recognised app store.
- Use Teams on the web where supported.
- Choose the personal version if you are replacing consumer Skype, not a work or school account by mistake.
2. Sign in with your Skype account
Use the Microsoft account connected to Skype. You generally do not need a new account just to start Teams Free. If you have more than one Microsoft account, try the one that previously showed your Skype contacts and conversations.
3. Accept the migration prompt
When Microsoft offers a Skype-to-Teams transition on your account, choose the option to start using Teams. Microsoft says contacts and chats can transfer for eligible users. Check the result before deleting anything or clearing local data.
What transfers to Teams and what may not?
“Skype data” is not one single file. Microsoft’s rules differ by record type and account history.
| Data or service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Contacts | Eligible contacts can transfer when you sign in to Teams Free. |
| Regular chats | Eligible chats and call history may appear in Teams Free. |
| Private conversations | Microsoft says private conversations are not migrated. |
| Skype for Business history | Not part of the consumer Skype migration. |
| Bots and Copilot content | Not supported as normal Teams Free chat history. |
| Skype Credit and paid calling | Follow the current billing rules; do not assume credit transfers as cash. |
| Skype Numbers | Numbers and porting have separate rules. Contact Microsoft or your new carrier. |
Microsoft extended the Skype-data export period into June 2026, with some support pages specifying June 15, 2026. That deadline has passed. The export portal’s current availability may change, so check Microsoft’s current support page immediately if you still need to try recovering old data.
What happened to Skype Credit and subscriptions?
Skype’s paid services do not map neatly to a Teams Free account. New Skype purchases stopped, and existing subscriptions, Skype Credit, Skype Numbers, calling features, refunds, and porting have separate conditions.
- Check your Microsoft account’s billing and service information.
- Do not pay a third-party “Skype recovery” service.
- If you need a phone number, ask the new carrier about porting before cancelling anything.
- For a refund or missing balance, use Microsoft’s official support route and keep payment records.
Teams Free versus the old Skype experience
Teams Free covers the basic use case many Skype users cared about: messaging, one-to-one calls, and video meetings. It also adds communities, calendars, file sharing, and connections with other Microsoft services. That extra capability can be useful, but Teams may feel heavier if you only wanted a simple calling app.
| Area | Skype | Teams Free |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer status | Retired May 5, 2025 | Microsoft’s consumer replacement |
| Messaging and calls | Core Skype features | Messaging, audio, and video meetings |
| Files and collaboration | More limited | More Microsoft sharing features |
| Account migration | Original Skype account | Eligible Skype credentials can be used |
| Business product | Separate from Skype for Business | Personal Teams Free is separate from paid work plans |
Troubleshooting Skype-to-Teams migration
Teams does not show my contacts or chats
- Confirm that you used the Microsoft account linked to Skype.
- Update Teams and try the web version.
- Check whether the missing item was a private, bot, Copilot, or Skype for Business conversation.
- Check Microsoft’s Skype support page for a current service notice.
I cannot sign in
Use Microsoft’s account-recovery process rather than guessing passwords repeatedly. Check the email address, phone number, or authenticator method connected to the old account. If the account belonged to an employer or school, contact its administrator.
My Teams calls or camera do not work
- Check Teams’ microphone and camera permissions.
- Close another app that may already be using the camera.
- Test the connection without a VPN or congested network if possible.
- Select the correct microphone, speaker, and camera in Teams device settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Skype shutting down in 2025?
Skype retired on May 5, 2025. The consumer service is no longer a normal option for calls and chats. Skype for Business is separate.
Can I use my Skype login for Teams?
Microsoft says eligible consumer Skype users can sign in to Teams Free with their Skype credentials, with contacts and chats transferred according to the migration rules.
Will all my Skype conversations transfer?
No. Microsoft lists exclusions, including private conversations and some bot, Copilot, and Skype for Business content.
Can I still export my Skype data?
Microsoft extended the export period into June 2026, but that deadline has passed. Check Microsoft support directly rather than relying on an old export instruction.
The practical answer
Skype’s consumer service has ended. If you want to stay within Microsoft’s ecosystem, open Teams Free, sign in with the account connected to Skype, and inspect what transferred. Handle paid credit or phone numbers separately. The old advice to “switch before May 5” is obsolete; the useful advice now is to recover the account and confirm the data you still need.
For current deadlines and migration rules, read Microsoft’s official Skype retirement guidance. For other technology guides, visit Gizmodotech.
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