Microsoft announced its plans to “kill” off Skype on Windows Phone back in July 2016 and now is getting ready to go through with it. The news arrives just one day after the announcement that Skype for Linux 4.3 will retire in July as well. In the email, Microsoft says that after July 1, 2017, users will no longer be able to sign-in to these versions of Skype. Furthermore, the company directs Skype users to a Skype support page. Of course, Windows 10 Mobile users will still be able to use the service via the standalone Skype app, built on the Universal Windows Platform. The Skype UWP app exited its preview phase back in April, becoming available to all Windows 10 users.
What’s next for other platforms
Apart from Windows 10 Mobile users, there is an alternative for those who use Skype on Windows Phone, RT or on TV. Microsoft says in the announcement email that users will be able to connect to Skype after 1 July via the web service. Alternatively, they could purchase a device that supports Skype. As a matter of fact, Skype’s retirement should not come as a surprise. Microsoft started working on switching Skype from peer-to-peer four years ago. The company is now getting ready to completely ditch “legacy” Skype apps and look to the “next generation of Skype”. Microsoft announced its plans for the next-gen of Skype last week with the biggest update to the service in 10 years. It brought a major redesign to the app, new controls, increased bot support, and more.
