Microsoft Pushes Skype Users to Switch to Teams: Everything You Need to Know

Skype will officially close on May 5, 2025. Microsoft assures users that they will have plenty of time to switch to Teams before this deadline. During the transition time, which is now, users can continue to communicate on both platforms. As part of the transition, Microsoft is urging Skype users to switch to Microsoft Teams, where they can still use similar features such as file sharing, chat and one on one and group calls. Extra features provided by teams helps it improve communication like calendar management, meeting hosting, and community building. Users can use their current Skype login information to access Teams, and their contacts and chats will be moved over in one go.

Skype is discontinuing new purchases of Skype Credit and subscriptions for international and domestic calls, Microsoft has announced. For existing users with active subscriptions, they will continue to use their Skype Credit and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period. In addition, users who still have Skype Credit will also be able to use their balance. From May 5, 2025 onwards, the Skype Dial Pad will be available only to remaining paid users through the Skype web portal and in Microsoft Teams.

Plans of Microsoft

The plan: Microsoft will stop selling Skype paid services and redirect users to Teams, which is free. Skype Credit and subscriptions for calls will not be available to new customers, but existing users will be able to use their credits until their next renewal. Over the past two years, Teams has grown in usage and Microsoft wants to consolidate its communication services under the umbrella of Teams.

When users move to Teams, they should expect a good user experience. As Microsoft has provided a step by step guide to move from Skype to Teams, we are going to follow the same. Once users sign into Teams with their Skype account, their previous chats and contacts will be ready for them. They can also export their Skype data if they don’t want to switch to Teams.

What Skype users might expect next

Users have an option throughout this time of transition:

Switch for free to Microsoft Teams.

Users of Skype who are enrolled in both the Teams and Skype Insider programs will be able to sign into Teams (free) on any supported device using their Skype credentials. Over the next few days, this feature will be available to all Skype users. If you sign in using your Skype account, you will see chas and contacts instantly and be able to quickly resume where you left off from Teams. During the transition period, teams users can call and chat with Skype users and vice versa. This ensures that no matter what platform you are using during this shift, you can stay in touch with everyone.

You can export Skype data. It is also possible for you to export your contacts, chat history, and call logs if you do not want to switch to Teams. Users will be able to test out Teams and pick the option that best suits their needs until May 5, 2025, when Skype will no longer be accessible.

How Should Users Switch from Skype to Microsoft Teams?

To go from Skype to Microsoft Teams:

●     Users can download Microsoft Teams by downloading the app from the official Microsoft website or app store.

● Open Teams and sign in with your existing Skype credentials.

● Once you are logged in, your chats and contacts will pull in automatically to Teams.

● Familiarize yourself with the new features in Teams that improve communication and collaboration.

If you don’t want to move to Teams, you can export data such as chats and contacts before the shutdown date.

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