Skype Shuts Down Today: What Happens to Your Data and How to Save It
After over two decades of revolutionizing communication across the globe, Skype is shutting down today, marking the end of an era. Microsoft, the parent company of Skype, made the announcement in February, revealing that the beloved video-calling platform would be replaced by Microsoft Teams.
While the closure affects both free and paid Skype users, it’s particularly notable for Skype for Business customers, who will be integrated into Microsoft Teams, a platform that offers many of the same core features and more. With this monumental change, users are left wondering: what happens to their data, and how should they prepare for the transition?
What Happens to Your Skype Account and Data?
As the platform shuts its doors, the future of your Skype account and data is an important consideration. Here's how things will unfold:
Transition to Microsoft Teams: Users who are active on Skype can easily log into Microsoft Teams with their existing Skype credentials. Once logged in, their chats and contacts will automatically be available to them.
Opting Out of Teams: If Microsoft Teams isn't your platform of choice, you can still transition away from Skype by exporting your data and switching to another video-calling service. This is your opportunity to back up your conversations, files, and other important data before everything shifts.
Data Deletion Timeline: Users will have until January 2026 to export or delete their Skype data. After this date, if you haven't taken action, all Skype data will be permanently deleted.
Keeping Data in Teams: If you log into Microsoft Teams Free before January 2026, your Skype call and chat history will still be accessible. However, if you don't log in by then, your data will be erased when the deadline passes.
How to Export Your Skype Data Before the Shutdown
For those who want to preserve their Skype history, there is an easy process for exporting data:
Sign in to the Skype Export page using your Microsoft account.
Choose the option to download conversations, files, or both.
After selecting your preferences, submit the request and continue when prompted.
Once the export process is complete, you can download your data to keep for future use.
If you prefer to transfer your files and chats to a different platform, you can follow these steps to ensure you don't lose any valuable information.
Why Did Skype Shut Down After 22 Years?
Once the king of video calling and a ubiquitous part of online communication, Skype's downfall has been a slow burn. At its peak, Skype had more than 150 million monthly users in 2011, and even reached a 400 million registered users milestone. However, over the years, Skype’s interface changes and bloated updates led to a less-than-optimal user experience.
The real shift came when COVID-19 changed how the world communicated. Competitors such as Zoom, Webex, Discord, and Slack overtook Skype’s market share, offering simpler, faster, and more intuitive communication solutions. By 2025, Skype’s monthly user base had dwindled to just 23 million, a far cry from its early success.
The Rise of Teams and What’s Next for Microsoft’s Communication Platforms
As Microsoft Teams takes the reins from Skype, the focus shifts to a more comprehensive platform aimed at businesses, educational institutions, and casual users alike. With Teams, Microsoft hopes to combine the best elements of Skype with powerful productivity tools and collaboration features.
For those who have relied on Skype for personal and business communications, the transition to Microsoft Teams represents a new chapter in the world of online communication. With Teams already well-established as a business solution, its expansion into personal and casual use is a major move by Microsoft to take on competitors and reclaim its place in the video calling and chat space.