Last month, Microsoft officially announced that Skype will be discontinued, making way for Teams as the company’s primary communications app. With Skype set to shut down on May 5th, users must transition to Teams before the deadline.
Skype has been around for almost 22 years, serving both personal and business communication needs. However, Microsoft has not made the migration process as seamless as expected. For now, users must follow a few steps in both Skype and Teams to transfer their chats and contacts successfully.
If you’re a Skype user, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to move to Microsoft Teams today.
Step 1: Join the Skype Insider Program
To begin the transition, you must first join the Skype Insider Program. This gives you access to the latest version of Skype, which includes migration features for transferring data to Teams.
- Download and install the Skype Insider version.
- Log in to Skype using your existing credentials.
This version is nearly identical to the standard Skype app but includes the necessary tools to transfer your chats and contacts.
Step 2: Download and Install Microsoft Teams
Next, you’ll need to install Microsoft Teams. You can either:
- Download the desktop app here
- Use the web-based version of Teams
After installation, log in using the same Microsoft account you use for Skype.
Step 3: Join the Teams Insider Program
Once inside Teams, you must enable the Insider Program to activate migration features.
- Open Teams Settings
- Select Join the Insider Program
- Restart the app to apply changes
Step 4: Sync Your Skype Contacts with Teams
To ensure a smooth transition, sync your Skype contacts with Teams:
- Open Teams Settings
- Navigate to Contacts Sync
- Confirm that your Skype contacts, Outlook accounts, and mobile phone contacts are successfully transferred
Once these steps are completed, you should have full access to your Skype chats and contacts within Teams.
What Happens Next?
Until Skype officially shuts down on May 5th, your linked Skype chats will still function in both apps. This means you can continue messaging Skype users via Teams, ensuring a smooth transition period before Skype is permanently discontinued.
With Teams set to replace Skype, Microsoft is focusing on providing a more integrated and business-friendly communication platform. Users are encouraged to make the switch as soon as possible to avoid disruptions when Skype is finally shut down.
Would you like additional details on any of these steps?
