R.I.P Skype (2003.8.29–2025.5.5): Closing the Chapter on an Era of Communication

On May 5, 2025, Skype—once a global communication tool with 300 million monthly active users—formally ended its 22-year journey.

Developed by an Estonian team and launched on August 29, 2003, it revolutionized connectivity with free internet calls and cross-platform compatibility, becoming a “digital bridge” for millions in the millennium era. At its peak, it supported over 1 million simultaneous online meetings and joined Microsoft’s ecosystem in 2011 via an $8.5 billion acquisition.

As mobile social and enterprise collaboration tools evolved, Skype gradually faded. In February 2025, Microsoft announced its “end of life,” urging users to switch to Microsoft Teams to retain chat histories and core features like calls and file sharing. Notably, the Skype dial pad will remain accessible via web and Teams for paying users after May 5.