Earlier than there used to be Zoom, Skype used to be the dominant internet-based telephone and video provider for the hundreds. After 22 years of provider (14 years beneath Microsoft), shoppers had been surprised to be informed that Microsoft has decided to discontinue Skype in Might 2025.
That’s why “Pat’s” electronic mail triggered us to discover possible choices to Skype.
“Hi, it seems that Microsoft is eliminating Skype. We use Skype each weekend to be in contact with our circle of relatives in Eire. Do you’ve got suggestions for another? Thank you.” — Pat, Trade Township, Michigan
Regardless that just a little unnerving for long-time Skype customers, Microsoft is in truth discontinuing Skype as a result of steep festival for a similar form of provider from the likes of Zoom and WhatsApp. Whilst the trade could also be unwelcome, there are lots of choices to choose between as soon as Skype bows out.
The corporate states on its website online that “Your Skype knowledge will probably be to be had till January 2026 so that you can export or delete. When you log in to Microsoft Teams Free by means of then, your Skype name and chat historical past will probably be to be had to you. If you’re taking no motion, your Skype knowledge will probably be deleted in January 2026.”
Underneath are the highest possible choices to Skype, which is able to assist you to keep attached with other folks you care about in my opinion and professionally, in addition to easy methods to export your contacts and different necessary knowledge off Skype.
A lady the use of Skype on a computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Best 6 Skype possible choices
Whilst trade will also be difficult, it does not need to be tough with the next Skype possible choices indexed under.
Microsoft Teams
With Microsoft discontinuing Skype to speculate its consideration and sources in Microsoft Groups, it is a simple transition from Skype. Microsoft Groups will permit you to check in along with your current Skype credentials, making the transition more uncomplicated. There’s a unfastened model of Microsoft Groups that Microsoft is encouraging its Skype customers to make use of. Like Skype, it comprises video calls and messaging. The good thing about signing up for Microsoft Groups is that your Skype contacts and message historical past will probably be automatically migrated to Microsoft Groups.
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A person the use of Skype on his computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that has been round since 2009. It provides unfastened voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption, giving your communique an added layer of coverage. It additionally permits you to message with different customers. Moreover, as a result of it’s used international, WhatsApp is a brilliant global communique instrument.
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Google Meet
When you already use Google products and services similar to Gmail and Google Calendar, Google Meet is usually a seamless selection to Skype. Google Meet is a unfastened video-conferencing provider that integrates Gmail and Google Calendar. With unfastened plans to be had, you’ll be able to come with as much as 100 contributors on a video name.
Zoom
Zoom has turn out to be a standard fixture within the fashionable skilled international. With a user-friendly interface and wealthy options, Zoom has been the best choice for video calls. Zoom provides unfastened plans that permit for 40-minute video calls in step with name for as much as 100 contributors.
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Signal
For the ones with issues about privateness, Sign is a brilliant selection to Skype. It boasts end-to-end encryption on messages and video calls, which assists in keeping your communications safe. Sign is an open-source provider that permits customers to ship speedy messages in addition to voice and video calls.
Discord
Whilst well known amongst players, Discord has turn out to be a flexible communique instrument. With unfastened voice channels, display screen sharing and low-latency audio (higher audio high quality), it has begun to face out as a excellent staff name possibility.
How you can export contacts and messages from Skype
Regardless that Microsoft gives you till January 2026 to export or delete your Skype contacts, chat and document historical past, it’s best to log in and get started the method now, as it may possibly take some time for the corporate to meet your request.
To export contacts, practice those steps:
- In your internet browser, pass to https://safe.skype.com/ and log into your Skype account the use of your username and password
- At the major web page, beneath Account element, pass to Atmosphere and personal tastes
- Click on Export contacts
- A conversation field will seem, then make a selection the place you wish to have to save the document and click on Save
Steps to export Skype contacts (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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To export conversations and recordsdata, practice those steps:
- In your internet browser, pass to https://safe.skype.com/ and log into your Skype account the use of your username and password
- At the major web page, beneath Account element, pass to Atmosphere and personal tastes
- Click on Export recordsdata and chat historical past
- Beneath “Request a replica of your recordsdata and chat historical past,” test the containers you wish to have to obtain and click on Post request
- As soon as the request has been processed, it’ll display up on the very most sensible of the similar web page
- To avoid wasting, click on Obtain
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Steps to export Skype conversations and recordsdata (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How you can export your Skype knowledge and import it into different video platforms
Earlier than Skype formally shuts down Might 27, 2025, it is a good move to save lots of your knowledge and get ready for a transition to some other platform. Right here’s easy methods to do it:
Step 1: Export your Skype knowledge
You’ll be able to request a complete obtain of your Skype chat historical past, name logs and different private knowledge.
- Move to the Skype Export web page: https://go.skype.com/export
- Check in along with your Skype (Microsoft) account.
- Select what you would love to obtain:Conversations: Chat logs, SMS and make contact with dataRecordsdata: Pictures, movies and paperwork shared by way of Skype
- Conversations: Chat logs, SMS and make contact with data
- Recordsdata: Pictures, movies and paperwork shared by way of Skype
- Click on Post Request and stay up for an electronic mail or obtain hyperlink to seem (might take hours or a couple of days relying at the quantity).
- Obtain the .ZIP document when in a position and extract the contents on your tool.
The exported messages are normally in a .tar or .json layout, which will also be opened with apps like Notepad, Excel or devoted audience.
Step 2: Import your data to a brand new platform
Whilst Skype doesn’t be offering a right away import instrument for different platforms, listed below are a couple of tactics to hold your data over:
Zoom, Microsoft Groups, Google Meet, Slack or WhatsApp:
- Contacts: You’ll be able to manually upload contacts out of your Skype export by means of copying their electronic mail addresses or telephone numbers.
- Chat Historical past: Maximum platforms gained’t permit direct import, however you’ll be able to:Save your Skype conversations as PDF or textual content recordsdata for reference.Add necessary conversations to cloud products and services like Google Pressure, Dropbox or OneDrive to stay them searchable and available.
- Save your Skype conversations as PDF or textual content recordsdata for reference.
- Add necessary conversations to cloud products and services like Google Pressure, Dropbox or OneDrive to stay them searchable and available.
The use of Skype Information on Microsoft Groups:
- Since Groups is Microsoft’s beneficial substitute for Skype, it is the maximum seamless transfer.
- In case your account is tied to Microsoft 365, your contacts might already sync to Groups.
- Chat historical past doesn’t robotically migrate, however you’ll be able to reference exported chats when putting in new Groups channels or chats.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Whilst Skype’s finish on Might 5, 2025, is sobering, the time to transition to another platform is crucial so you’ll be able to get arrange and altered to proceed speaking with others professionally and in my opinion. Regardless that the pleasant and acquainted sky-blue interface will probably be overlooked, there are a number of choices that fill the ones large empty sneakers that Skype will depart. Whether or not you like the convenience of with the ability to migrate contacts and messages from Skype without delay to Microsoft Groups or want the safety of Sign, there’s a bounty of choices to stay you attached to family members around the globe.
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