MSFT Retiring Skype ???

[ChiFlyer]

I received an email from MSFT/Skype a few minutes ago indicating that MSFT is discontinuing Skype. The email appears to be legit and not part of a scam. I use a Skype number for a US phone number so that I can be contacted by US families and business contacts. It is the later that concerns me. My current Skype contract runs through November 2025, so I have time to react. 

I have read that @forcebwithu uses Google. Could he or others explain once again what needs to be done to establish an account there. As I recall the Google number must be linked to an existing US phone number with no charge to the owner of that Number.

The Skype email in italics.

Please read on for detailed information about the updates and what they mean for your services.

• Subscriptions & Automatic Top-Ups: Existing subscriptions will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025. After this, all subscriptions will be retired and no longer be available for purchase, renewal, or reactivation. Automatic top-ups will end on April 3, 2025.


• Skype Number: Your Skype Number subscription will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025 and will remain active until the end of your next renewal period. To port your Skype Number, please contact your new provider directly. Learn more


• Skype Manager: Skype Manager users can purchase and renew paid products, including automatic credit top-ups, until April 3, 2025. After this date, only existing credit balances can be allocated to group members for calling.


• For SMS services: SMS services will be discontinued on May 5, 2025.


• Skype Dial Pad: After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and Teams, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits.

 

[Bazle]

That's a shame. Not everyone has a smartphone with access to WhatsApp, Line, etc. so Skype has proven very useful up to now. 

[forcebwithu]

I just woke up to find the same email in my inbox.

I was surprised by the short notice, only two months. I'm don't understand why they didn't sell off Skype as I would have a hard time believing it's not a viable business.

I currently have $9.79 in credit on Skype. I might have missed it, but no mention on if Skype users will receive a refund of the unused credit. I would be very surprised and angry if they don't refund the unused amounts.

Microsoft hangs up on Skype: Service to shut down May 5, 2025

My concern now is while I have a Google Voice account, it's not working in Chrome. I can make calls, but I can't hear anything. Looks like I'm be wasting some of my valuable remaining hours in this dimension on figuring out how to get GV to work.

As for setting up a GV account, it does require a US or Canadian based phone number for ID verification. I used my son's number, so all good there.

[fforest]

For some reason our overseers dislike PC based computing.....Except for them of course..

They seem to be slowly but firmly pushing for every thing to be done on a smart phone...

Like you NEVER NEVER see any discounts or bonuses for using a PC......But loads for using a smartphone....

And Skype is much more geared for a PC than for a smartphone...

[forcebwithu]

1 hour ago, fforest said:

For some reason our overseers dislike PC based computing.....Except for them of course..

They seem to be slowly but firmly pushing for every thing to be done on a smart phone...

Like you NEVER NEVER see any discounts or bonuses for using a PC......But loads for using a smartphone....

And Skype is much more geared for a PC than for a smartphone...

I removed Skype from my phone as it was a resource hog, even when not in use.

[ChiFlyer]

hmmm - my reason for using Skype was to have a VOIP US phone number that could be called or make international calls to/from the US. Skype provided that ability at no cost to the caller and seldom a cost to me. It's only significant glitch was one could not send or receive texts that had attachments.

Many US businesses require that one provide a US phone number. I used Skype for that purpose. I need to get a new method so I do not have problems with Schwab and Amex.

I really only want to install a replacement app on my iPhone. That is all I care about. I installed Google Voice on my ios device today and it was a no go. The message was not available in Thailand.

This link provides descriptions as to why and what workarounds are available. The workarounds sound like more than I want to get into.

https://www.calilio.com/blogs/how-to-get-a-google-voice-number-outside-the-us

There appears to be a fair amount of alternative products available. I will spend the next few days checking these out.

More later .....

 

 

Edited March 1 by ChiFlyer

[Lirchenfeld]

Skype has been surpassed by other and better techs. Such as Teams and Zoom, etc

[ChiFlyer]

I dug a little further into my Skype Account info. My expriation date is November 12th, 2025.

There seems to be an option to move the phone ability to something called Microsoft Teams Free. I will look into that.

 

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

 

In May 2025, Skype will be retired. This change will impact both free and paid Skype users. This does not impact Skype for Business.

Skype users will have the option to move to Microsoft Teams Free, which offers many of the same core features and more. By logging in to Teams Free with your Skype account, your chats and contacts will appear in the app so you can pick up where you left off. This capability will gradually roll out to Skype and Teams users on the latest app versions over the coming days.

If you do not wish to use Microsoft Teams Free, you can export your Skype data.

If you have active recurring calling and Skype Number subscriptions ending before April 3, 2025, these will be renewed for one more renewal cycle. If you have an active calling or Skype Number subscription ending after April 3, 2025, you will continue to be able to use your subscription and Skype Number until the end of your current subscription period. To keep using your Skype Number after your subscription ends, you'll need to port out the number. Please reach out to your new provider directly to start the porting process or learn more here.

Additionally, we will no longer offer paid Skype features to new customers. The Skype Dial Pad will be available starting in May to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free.

[ChiFlyer]

13 minutes ago, Lirchenfeld said:

Skype has been surpassed by other and better techs. Such as Teams and Zoom, etc

No doubt about it. I am only looking for an ios based replacement app to be able to make limited cost international calls between the US and Thailand.

[forqalso]

10 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

No doubt about it. I am only looking for an ios based replacement app to be able to make limited cost international calls between the US and Thailand.

I had Skype and a dormant Google Voice account. I ended the Skype subscription as soon as they said they’re closing. Google Voice not let me port the Skype number to it, so I’m trying to update my accounts. 
I can call and text the US with GV, I hope BofA will accept it for their security texts.

Google Voice US to Thailand rate is 5¢ a minute.  To a US number from Thailand is free, same as a call to local number when you’re in the US. 
 

My friend in the US isn’t tech savvy enough to get Line working, same with Facebook, but he has no problem using Google Meet for our video calls.

[ChiFlyer]

I may have solved my own problem here.

Skype allows you to transfer your phone number to MSFT Teams Free. In my case my only need is a valid US phone number. I almost never make or receive calls on my Skype number. Lots of holes in the below description, but it would be clean hopefully for my purrposes. 

From a MSFT Account write up.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. How long will the transition process take? 

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

5. 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.

[forcebwithu]

On 3/1/2025 at 10:12 PM, ChiFlyer said:

Many US businesses require that one provide a US phone number. I used Skype for that purpose. I need to get a new method so I do not have problems with Schwab and Amex.

I've been using Google Voice for the OTP Schwabe SMS's with no issues for a couple of years; ever since Schwab started blocking SMS's to Skype.

I'll be interested to hear from others if Schwab will accept Teams as a method for receiving the OTP SMS.

[ChiFlyer]

11 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

I've been using Google Voice for the OTP Schwabe SMS's with no issues for a couple of years; ever since Schwab started blocking SMS's to Skype.

I'll be interested to hear from others if Schwab will accept Teams as a method for receiving the OTP SMS.

@forcebwithu you are a top flight tech. However, what I think is going on here is:

• Skype blocks texts with attachments. Schwab probably added a boilerplate attachment to their OTP texts. I request that Schwab OTPs are sent via voice to my Skype phone number. No problems.
• I certainly share your curiosity how the Teams approach will work. Since they said they will be rolling it out over the next few days, I will wait a few weeks before trying it out. I have no desire no be an unpaid MSFT alpha tester. 🙂

 

[forcebwithu]

9 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

@forcebwithu you are a top flight tech. However, what I think is going on here is:

• Skype blocks texts with attachments. Schwab probably added a boilerplate attachment to their OTP texts. I request that Schwab OTPs are sent via voice to my Skype phone number. No problems.
• I certainly share your curiosity how the Teams approach will work. Since they said they will be rolling it out over the next few days, I will wait a few weeks before trying it out. I have no desire no be an unpaid MSFT alpha tester. 🙂

I use GV texts, and don't recall seeing any attachments.

Just logged on to Schwab and as luck would have it, I needed a OTP to verify once again the computer I was using to log on to my account. The SMS is sent to me via email and contains only the following text.
Schwab
XXXXXX is your security code for online login. Do not share this code with anyone, even if they claim to be from Schwab.

As a side note, when I logged on it was painful to see how much my portfolio has dropped over the last two weeks.

[ChiFlyer]

14 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

.......

As a side note, when I logged on it was painful to see how much my portfolio has dropped over the last two weeks.

Tell me about it.

I was worried that DaRump might win the election, so I started going more conservative a year ago. I have trimmed my stock holdings to more conservative companies such as BRKB, V, and JPM. I still hold a couple of techs (MSFT and NVDA), but they have gone from 45% yo 20% of my overall holdings.  I have also moved over 30% of my liquidity to UST and CDs. Still I am down for the year.

 

[Glasseye]

On 3/4/2025 at 7:10 AM, forcebwithu said:

I use GV texts, and don't recall seeing any attachments.

Just logged on to Schwab and as luck would have it, I needed a OTP to verify once again the computer I was using to log on to my account. The SMS is sent to me via email and contains only the following text.
Schwab
XXXXXX is your security code for online login. Do not share this code with anyone, even if they claim to be from Schwab.

As a side note, when I logged on it was painful to see how much my portfolio has dropped over the last two weeks.

 

 

Been there done that.... I gave up stocks years ago.    Been on a wild ride the past few years. IMO heavily over valued..... but wtf do I know.

I'd like to blame it on Rump, but he ain't got didlly to do with it.

[Glasseye]

I just went through a back and forth with trying to sign onto my pension system page. After 6 times finally got into. Not using SKPE just a general sign in attemtp.

 

Google and Micro have everything fcuked beyond belief.

[forcebwithu]

Over on PA there's a good post on alternatives to Skype. Of particular interest was VOIP Buster. It seems too good to be true. Free calls to the US.

I had to do a bit of digging to find the catch to free calls.

Still, even after the 120 free days are over, the normal rate for calls to the US is reasonable, and cheaper than Skype which charges $0.112/minute.

[ChiFlyer]

I started a Skype to 2Phone Import today. My main reason for going this route was that I could import my Skype number and have no problems with changing business contact phone numbers. The import process is more than a little confusing as evidenced by this form.

https://www.phone2.io/pvip

• Your Skype Account Number is you phone number without the country code
• Your Skype PIN, unless you changed it, is "0000"
• You can put together a most recent bill by logging into Skype and accessing "Order History" thru Profile in Account.
• I had to pay $35 for a Voip to Voip conversion. I assume this is in addition to the one time $90 lifetime fee.

More later ....

[forcebwithu]

On 3/1/2025 at 9:22 AM, forcebwithu said:

...
My concern now is while I have a Google Voice account, it's not working in Chrome. I can make calls, but I can't hear anything. Looks like I'm be wasting some of my valuable remaining hours in this dimension on figuring out how to get GV to work.

As for setting up a GV account, it does require a US or Canadian based phone number for ID verification. I used my son's number, so all good there.

It occurred to me that perhaps the reason GV wasn't working for me is I use a docking station and have quite a few devices connected off of it. I'm now traveling and since I have the laptop undocked gave GV a try. Lo and behold it works. One problem solved.

Since I'll be in the US for a week or two, I'm going to see if there isn't a way for me to get a US number that I can port over to GV. That way I won't have to rely on the generosity of the Google going forward for a free number.

@ChiFlyer, any ideas on how I might pick up a US phone number for minimal cost? I'm thinking perhaps a burner phone, but then I wonder how hard it will be to unlock the number so I can port it to GV.

I welcome any and all suggestions.

[ChiFlyer]

Hey guy,

I hope all is well.

I went with the Phone2 solution and I am not happy with it.

The main problem is that Phone2 does not give me the ability to send outbound SMS messages. Because it is a business oriented app, it requires a relatively new FCC form that only apples to a business enterprise. I am not a business enterprise.

I gave them an earful.

The app meets some of my major needs.

• I preserve my incoming Skype number, so I do not have to change my business contact phone numbers.
• I can receive US phone calls.
• I can make outbound US phone calls.
•  I can receive Us generated SMS, but not reply via SMS.

I would suggest to keep looking.

The cost of my transition to Phone2 from Skype ended up costing $150 rather than the advertised $$99.

[Stillearly]