Skype is retiring in May 2025: What you need to know

What happens to my existing Skype account? / Will I need to create a new account for Teams Free, or can I log in directly with my Skype credentials? 

You can log in to Teams Free with your existing Skype account and your chats and contacts will be automatically available for you. There is no requirement to create a new Teams Free account.

What about my chat history and contacts? 

Your chats and contacts will automatically transfer to Teams Free when you log in with your Skype credentials.

What data doesn’t migrate to Teams Free?  

• Chats between Skype users and Teams work or school accounts will not be migrated. Users can use Teams Free to start a new conversation with Teams work or school users and enjoy even more functionality.

• Skype to Skype for Business chat history will not be migrated. 

• 1:1 chat with self history will not be migrated.

• Private conversations data will not be migrated. 

• Copilot and bots content will not be supported in Teams Free and no chat history will be available.

How long will the transition process take? 

The syncing of your data from Skype to Teams Free should take less than a minute.

Can I continue using Skype for now? 

You can continue using Skype until May 5, 2025, giving you plenty of time to explore Teams Free.

Can I use both Skype and Teams Free for now?  

Yes, you can use both Skype and Teams Free during the transition period until May 5, 2025.

Will I lose access to Skype after logging in to Teams Free? 

No, logging in to Teams Free does not block further access to Skype. During the transition period (from now until May 5, 2025), your Skype data will remain accessible, and you can use both apps as needed.

Can I still communicate with Skype users from Teams Free? 

Yes, until May 5, 2025, you can call and chat with Skype users directly from Teams Free. This feature will be rolled out gradually, starting with users who are both Skype and Teams Insiders.

When will my data be deleted?  

Your Skype data will be available until January 2026 for you to export or delete. If you log in to Microsoft Teams Free by then, your Skype call and chat history will be available to you. If you take no action, your Skype data will be deleted January 2026. 

Can I purchase products from Skype?  

As of today, new purchases for Skype Subscriptions, Skype Numbers and Skype Credit are no longer available.

What happens with Skype Manager credit balance?   

Existing Skype Manager admins will continue to be able to purchase and renew Skype paid products, including credit automatic top-up until April 3, 2025. After April 3, 2025, you will be able to allocate existing Skype Manager credit balance to group members and use it for calling.

Where can I access the Skype Dial Pad?  

After May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits. Download Teams on your device from the official Microsoft Teams website and log in with your Skype credentials to see the Skype Dial Pad.

What happens to my calling and Skype Number subscriptions  

Existing calling and Skype Number subscriptions will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025 and will then remain active until the end of your active subscription period. After May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free.

Can I use my Skype credit?  

Skype Credits can be used for calling. Starting April 3, 2025, automatic top up services will no longer be available. After May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits.

Will I still be able to receive calls to my Skype Number? 

Yes, you will be able to receive phone calls to your Skype Number for the remainder of your existing subscription, both on the Skype web portal and from within Teams Free. If you’re operating from the Skype web portal, you’ll need to have your browser open in order to be alerted of an incoming call. If you choose to use the Skype Dial Pad from the Teams Free mobile and desktop apps, you’ll receive push notifications for all incoming calls, just like you did from the Skype app.

How do I transfer my Skype Number?

To transfer or port your Skype Number to a new carrier, please reach out to your new carrier directly to start the porting process.

What else is changing?  

The following services will no longer be available starting May 5, 2025: SMS, Credit gifting, Call forwarding, Caller ID setup.

Will Teams Free offer paid calling options?  

Microsoft Teams does not support paid calling plans on the free version of Teams, but small businesses can consider the Teams Essentials offering, which can be paired with Microsoft Teams Phone, a cloud-based call control solution. You can also use Teams Free to access your Skype active paid telephony services.

How can I access my billing info?   

You can find your billing information here.

Why is Microsoft removing the 60 minutes of Skype calls feature in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions?

Aligned with changes to our consumer communications offerings announced in March 2025, Skype minutes will be removed from Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family subscription benefits beginning March 2026.  

When is this benefit going away?

The 60 minutes of Skype calls feature will be removed from Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions starting March 2026.  

Do I need to take any action? 

No action is needed. The 60 minutes of Skype calls will be removed automatically from paid Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plan benefits starting March 2026. 

How do I use my 60 minutes of Skype benefit from now until March 2026?

Beginning May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free. Subscribers can continue to use their Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscription or Skype Credits.

Download Microsoft Teams to your device from the official Microsoft Teams website and log in with your Skype credentials to see the Skype Dial Pad.

Is there something I can use instead of Skype? 

Yes. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers can still join group calls and talk for up to 30 hours with up to 300 people with Microsoft Teams Free.​​​​​​​ 

How do I download Microsoft Teams? 

1.  Download Microsoft Teams on your device from the official Microsoft Teams website.

2.  Log in with your personal account credentials. 

​​​​​​​3.  Start using Teams Free.

My subscription was turned off and I want to keep using Microsoft 365. How do I turn recurring billing back on? 

If you wish to continue your Microsoft 365 subscription, you can log into your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com and click the Turn on recurring billing link under your Microsoft 365 subscription.

How do I cancel my subscription? 

If you wish to cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription, visit this page for instructions. If you purchased a Microsoft 365 subscription with recurring billing from a third-party retailer instead of the Microsoft Store, contact the third-party retailer directly to cancel your subscription. 

How can I find where I purchased my Microsoft 365 subscription? ​​​​​​​

1.  Go to your Services & subscriptions page. 

2.  If prompted, choose Sign in and enter the Microsoft account email and password associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription. 

3.  Click on the Manage button, if your subscription was purchased through Microsoft, you will see options to manage your subscription, otherwise you will be taken to the website of the third-party retailer where you purchased your subscription. 

What does this mean for Skype for Business users? 

Skype for Business users are separate from Skype Consumer and remain unaffected by this change.

How does Teams Free differ from the paid Teams offerings (Essentials, Enterprise, etc)? 

Microsoft Teams is a free tool designed for personal and small group use with core communication and collaboration features. Teams Essentials and Enterprise are paid offerings that provide advanced tools for small to large businesses and organizations.

Will Teams Free have all the features I use in Skype? 

Microsoft Teams Free includes the core features of Skype, such as on-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. Additionally, Teams Free offers enhanced features like hosting meetings, managing calendars, and building and joining communities. Learn more.

What are the new features in Teams Free compared to Skype? 

Teams Free is designed for modern communication and teamwork, and includes enhanced collaboration and productivity tools such as meetings, calendar scheduling, and the ability to join or create communities.

Will I still be able to communicate with users who are only on Skype until May 2025? 

Yes, cross-platform communication between Skype and Teams Free will be supported during the transition period, ensuring you can stay connected with Skype-only users.

How can I become a Teams Insider?  

Join the Teams Insider Program to get a preview of the newest features and try them in Teams Free before they're released to the public.

How can I learn more about these changes?  

You can learn more about the changes to Skype on the Microsoft 365 blog.

How do I download and access Teams Free? 

Transitioning to Teams Free is easy and logging in to Teams Free does not limit you from using Skype—your data will remain in both places.

1.  Download Microsoft Teams on your device from the official Microsoft Teams website.

2.  Log in with your Skype credentials.​​​​​​​

3.  Start using Teams Free, with all your Skype chats and contacts ready to go. ​​​​
 

How do I learn to use Teams Free if I’ve only used Skype before? ​​​​​​​

We’ve prepared a how-to guide to help you get started with Teams Free.

What if I don’t want to switch to Teams Free? 

You can continue using Skype until May 5, 2025. After that, Skype will no longer be available. We encourage you to explore Microsoft Teams Free and see the benefits it offers.

How can I provide feedback during the transition? 

Please report feedback in the Skype or Teams app. Learn more about how to send feedback in Microsoft Teams Free here.