JAKARTA – Microsoft has transitioned Skype users to Microsoft Teams, following the closure of its video calling service on Monday (5/5). The shutdown of Skype, which has been in operation since 2003, was previously announced by Microsoft on 28 February 2025.

According to Foxbusiness.com on Tuesday (6 May), Microsoft will focus on the development of Microsoft Teams, an application with similar features that is more user-friendly.

During the transition, Microsoft will facilitate Skype users’ access to the free version of Microsoft Teams, allowing them to use their existing credentials and automatically migrate their call contacts.

Skype users who do not wish to switch to Microsoft Teams can export their Skype data. If users fail to transfer their data to Microsoft Teams, their information will be automatically deleted in January 2026.

Jeff Tepper, President of Microsoft’s Collaborative Apps and Platforms, stated that Skype has played a significant role in shaping modern communication.

Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 in a USD 8.5 billion transaction. However, as Zoom usage surged during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Skype’s user base dropped to around 23 million, largely due to its underlying technology being deemed less suitable for the smartphone era. (LK/LM)