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The end of an era - Skype is being discontinued (here's what to do)

· 5 min read
Nader Jaber
Nader Jaber
Head Honcho @ FlyNumber
A cartoon-style illustration of a tombstone with 'SKYPE' engraved on it, set in a grassy landscape under a blue sky with clouds.

So it's official - after kickstarting the market for internet calling 23 years ago, Skype is shutting down. Microsoft announced they're retiring Skype on May 5, 2025, giving users just 10 weeks to figure out what to do with their accounts.

Skype as we all once knew it will be a thing of the past soon. At one point (many years ago) we were actually able to forward phone calls directly to your Skype account. It was great, you could use Skype which many users already had with any local phone number. In 2011 Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion and now it's off to the graveyard - sad day to say the least.

The rise and fall of Skype​

Remember when Skype was the go-to for international calls? Back when it launched, it completely revolutionized how we thought about communication. Before Skype, calling someone overseas meant emptying your wallet. After Skype, it was as simple as having an internet connection.

Some numbers to put this in perspective:

  • In 2010, Skype had 124 million monthly active users
  • By 2013, they peaked at 300 million users
  • During the pandemic in 2020, they jumped to 40 million daily users
  • Now in 2025, they're down to around 36 million users (a long way from their glory days)

Microsoft is pushing everyone to Teams, which makes sense from their business perspective. Teams has grown like crazy while Skype has flatlined. According to Microsoft's Jeff Teper, consumer calling minutes in Teams has grown fourfold in just two years.

But let's be real - Teams still feels like a business product. Do families and friends really see themselves as part of one big "team"? I'm not so convinced.

What happens to your Skype number?​

If you're one of the users who has a Skype phone number, this is where things get tricky. Microsoft has already stopped letting users add credit to their accounts or buy new Skype numbers since December 2024. Subscription renewals will end on April 3.

After May 5, Microsoft says they'll provide a "Skype Dial Pad" available in the Skype web portal and Teams for users who still have credit remaining. But they've confirmed that Teams Free won't support normal phone calling functionality (PSTN).

Don't lose your Skype number - port it to FlyNumber!​

Here's the good news - if you've got a Skype number you've been using for years, you don't have to lose it. We're offering free porting of Skype numbers to FlyNumber (except for Switzerland numbers which have a one-time $75 USD fee). The porting process typically takes 2-7 business days for US/Canada numbers, and varies by country:

  • US/Canada: 2-7 business days
  • Switzerland: 5-10 business days
  • UK: 7-14 business days
  • Germany: 3-5 business days
  • Australia: 5-15 business days
  • France: 7-10 business days

To get started, just create a ticket in your FlyNumber account with your Skype number and we'll guide you through the simple process. You'll need to provide a completed porting form (we'll send this) and a copy of your recent Skype bill (or screenshot of the account in certain cases).

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Make sure to keep your Skype service active until the port is complete.

Why port your number to us?

  • Keep your existing phone number that contacts already know
  • No downtime or disruption to your communications
  • Get better flexibility with forwarding options (mobile, landline, SIP, etc.)
  • More control over your virtual number

The porting process is simple and we handle all the heavy lifting. Check out our porting guide for more details.

What about your Skype contacts and chat history?​

Microsoft is giving users until May 5 to decide what to do. You've got two main options:

  1. Migrate your contacts and chat data to Microsoft Teams
  2. Download your Skype data using their export tool

If you do nothing by May 5, Microsoft says they'll keep your data until the end of 2025, after which it'll be deleted forever.

The Times They Are A-Changin'​

It's fascinating to see how the lines between business and consumer communication have blurred over the years. Skype started as a consumer product that businesses adopted, while Teams began as a business tool that's now trying to win over consumers.

The tech world moves fast, and what was revolutionary yesterday might be obsolete tomorrow. I still remember when we highlighted Skype as one of our favorite forwarding options back in 2012 - it was incredibly popular among our users who wanted an easy way to receive calls internationally.

Skype - over and out. 🫡