Microsoft Warns Skype Users to Save Data Before Permanent Deletion Deadline

Microsoft has issued a global warning to millions of Skype users, urging them to back up their important data as soon as possible or risk losing it permanently.

According to Microsoft, Skype has already been fully shut down this year as the company has shifted its focus to Microsoft Teams. Skype, once one of the world’s most popular chat and calling apps, peaked in the 2010s with more than 300 million monthly users. However, its popularity declined significantly with the rise of mobile-based platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

Skype was originally launched in 2003 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011. The company officially ended the service on May 5, 2023, but users were given additional time to save their messages, contact lists, and other important data.

Microsoft has clarified that Skype users have until January 2026 to export or manually delete their data. The company added that users who log in to Microsoft Teams Free during this period will still be able to access their Skype call logs and chat history.

Microsoft warned that if no action is taken by January 2026, all remaining Skype data will be automatically and permanently deleted, with no possibility of recovery afterward.

With the arrival of the new year, Microsoft has advised users to immediately check their accounts to ensure that valuable memories and important information are not lost forever.