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Skype was a consumer communications platform best known for internet-based voice and video calling, messaging, and group meetings. It launched in 2003 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011. For years, “Skyping” was practically synonymous with online calling—especially for long-distance conversations.
Important update: Skype is no longer an active consumer service. Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025 and moved consumer users toward Microsoft Teams Free. Skype for Business was not included in this change.
Answer box: Skype was retired on May 5, 2025. Microsoft is directing Skype users to Teams Free, with chats and contacts available through sign-in using Skype credentials. Microsoft also extended the window to export Skype data until June 2026. Historically, Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5B in 2011.
Sources: Microsoft Support (retirement & export timing) and Microsoft’s acquisition press release (SEC filing).
Key metrics table (latest available + clearly labeled historical milestones)
Because Skype has been retired, many “current user” metrics are no longer published. The table below includes verifiable company and major-publication milestones, labeled by year.
| Metric | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skype service status | Retired (moved to Teams Free) | May 5, 2025 | Microsoft Support |
| Data export deadline (extended) | June 2026 | Update posted Dec 20, 2025 | Microsoft Support |
| Acquisition price | $8.5B (cash) | 2011 | Microsoft press release (SEC) |
| Connected users | 170M connected users | 2010 | Microsoft press release (SEC) |
| Voice & video conversation minutes | 207B minutes | 2010 | Microsoft press release (SEC) |
| Monthly users (reported at acquisition) | ~150M monthly users | 2011 | Reuters |
| Monthly users (later estimate) | ~23M monthly users | 2020 | Reuters |
| Daily active users (pandemic-era) | 40M daily active users | March 2020 | GeekWire |
| Monthly users (TechCrunch reference) | ~300M monthly users | 2019 (reported) | TechCrunch |
What happened to Skype (and what still works)
Skype’s consumer app was retired in 2025
Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025 and shifted consumer communication toward Teams Free. Users can sign into Teams Free with Skype credentials and transfer chats and contacts automatically.
Paid calling features: limited continuity
Microsoft’s retirement notice states that existing calling and Skype Number subscriptions continued to renew only until April 3, 2025, and that the Skype Dial Pad remains available for some paid users via the Skype web portal and within Teams Free.
Exporting your Skype data
If you don’t want to use Teams Free, Microsoft allows users to export Skype data. Microsoft extended the export window until June 2026.
Source: Microsoft Support
FAQ
Is Skype shut down?
Yes. Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025 and directs users to Microsoft Teams Free for consumer chat and calling.
Can I still access my Skype chats and contacts?
Microsoft says you can sign into Teams Free with your Skype credentials and your chats and contacts will transfer automatically. If you prefer not to use Teams Free, you can export your Skype data.
When is the Skype data export deadline?
Microsoft extended the timeframe to export Skype data until June 2026.
How much did Microsoft pay for Skype?
Microsoft agreed to acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash in 2011.
How many users did Skype have at its peak?
Different sources cite different points in time. Reuters reported Skype had about 150M monthly users in 2011 and about 23M by 2020. (Microsoft declined to share the latest user figures in its 2025 shutdown announcement coverage.)
