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Goodbye Skype: Microsoft Retires Iconic App After 20 Years to Focus on Teams

Today marks the end of an era—Skype, once the go-to platform for internet calls and video chats, is officially being discontinued. Launched in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011, Skype helped redefine digital communication for millions around the world. But as user habits shifted and competitors like Zoom and Slack surged, Skype slowly faded from relevance.

Rather than revamp the platform, Microsoft doubled down on Teams, its integrated business communication tool. The pandemic-era boom in video conferencing could have revived Skype, but Microsoft chose to channel its energy—and users—into Teams instead.

“Skype has been a fundamental part of the evolution of modern communications. We are honored to have been part of that journey,” Microsoft stated.

Farewell, Skype. You changed the way we talked.