Microsoft will be retiring Skype on Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, Messaging app for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows RT, TV, wef July 1, 2017.
This announcement bothers those who have been using Skype on older platforms like Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows RT, the messaging app for Windows 10 Mobile, or on a TV. Remember, After July 1, you will not be able to sign in to these versions of Skype. The company has already started sending alert notifications to users and you may have received one, or may receive soon.
The notification reads,
We’ve noticed that you are, or previously were, using Skype on Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows RT, Messaging app for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows RT or a TV. We’re sorry to inform you that we will be permanently retiring these version of Skype. As a result, after July 1, 2017, you will no longer be able to sign into these versions of Skype.
The announcement however isn’t really a surprise as the company announced last year that it would be bringing an end to some versions of app in order to complete the transition. Perhaps, we may soon see a complete shift to a cloud-based operation of Skype from Peer-to-Peer (P2P) infrastructure.
One of the most notable chop is Skype for TV. If you are among those who bought a Smart TV with HD webcams with the idea of connecting with people from your living room sofas, you are likely to be disappointed more than anyone else.
What next, if you use any of the above old platforms
Perhaps, there is not much that you can do rather than migrating to an another device that supports Microsoft’s Skype services – or using another app altogether. If you can access a web browser, you always have the option of Skype on the web.
For more information, click here to read the System requirements for Skype.