Skype to shut down

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On Friday, February 28, Microsoft posted The next chapter: Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams to its Microsoft 365 blog (recommended reading). There
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Kathy70, abbodi86, lmacri, pmcjr6142

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Is there a way to retain old skype conversations in a readable format?

Conversations can be exported to a .json file, but this is not easy to read.

Is there a viewer app that presents the conversations in a more reader-friendly format?

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You can use the Skype-parser to view all the chats in that .json file but it doesn’t let you export them.

NirSoft’s free Skype Log Viewer can export chats as text, html, csv or xml files but only works if your version of Skype uses a main.db SQLite database to store chats (i.e. Skype older than v8.)

GitHub’s Skyperious can export chats as text, html or spreadsheet files and works with a main.db SQLite database or downloaded messages from the Skype online service.

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Bruce

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Thank you for this.

Skype has been so useful. Sad to see it go. Recommendations for a reliable replacement would be most welcome.

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Teams.

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Kathy70

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I kept a Skype account active on my phone in case I had to call, say, my bank while traveling without cell service. I only had to use it once, but it was a trip-saver that time. Any suggestions for a replacement for this kind of very occasional use?

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Microsoft is transitioning to Teams.

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Thanks, but as far as I can tell Teams Free does not offer PSTN calling, which is what I used Skype for. I should have mentioned that I’m in Canada, so Google Voice isn’t an option.

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Viber?

7 Best Skype Alternatives for International Calls in 2025 (Free & Paid Options)

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WSjdw13

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Thanks! Viber looks like it should do the job, and I wasn’t aware of it.

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Phil F, b

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I can recommend Viber. I have had it on my Android phones since 2015, when I installed it and purchased a minimum Viber Out world credit ($4.99) in preparation for a trip from Canada to France. There, I used it to call ground transport from airport to hotel before acquiring a local SIM card to use during our stay. Viber Out gives you outbound PSTN calling.

Current use is Viber-to-Viber calls with my daughter in Mexico, which gives better call quality than regular cellular service.

Regards, Phil

 

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WSjdw13

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My family has been using Skype for chat/messages for years. I’m not sure where to go next. We have iphone users, android users, windows computer users. Several of us also use Teams at work and we want to keep it completely separate. On the computer there are two different apps both named Teams (thanks Microsoft) but on the phone work and personal share the same app. If anyone has suggestions I’d love to hear them.

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Seems that your needs could be met with either Viber or Whatsapp (if you’re happy with using a Meta product).

Regards, Phil

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I look at the 7 alternatives and none seems to suit my needs. I need it to be simple that and 90 year old can use it and not break it. Skype worked well before MS bought. Now MS is getting rid off it to a useless Teams that is a resource hog and cause issues.

Does anyone know other options? or know how to keep using Skype once MS ends support for it?

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