Skip to main content

Microsoft scraps Skype for Windows Phone 7

microsoft scraps skype windows phone 7
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Got a Windows Phone 8 or 8.1 device? Skype’s available. Got an iDevice? No problem for Skype. Got an Android machine? Load it up. Got the Amazon Fire phone or Kindle Fire tablet? Bring it on. Got a Nokia X product? You’re good to go. Got a BlackBerry 10 phone? It’s in the store. Got a handset running Microsoft-made Windows Phone 7? Er, sorry.

In a recent post on Skype’s support site, the Microsoft-owned company said it’s decided to scrap the software for Windows Phone 7.

Recommended Videos

A couple of years back, many were baffled as to why it was taking Skype so long to launch a version of its Internet phone software for Windows Phone 7, after all, the company was by that time already under Microsoft ownership. Eventually, a compatible version did appear, and was presumably warmly welcomed by Windows Phone users looking for a cheap way to make calls.

Fast forward to today and the very same people may once again be scratching their heads wondering why Skype has decided to ax the software for their devices.

Related: How Skype works

In its post, Skype said that it was “permanently retiring all Skype apps for Windows Phone 7” so that “everyone can benefit from the latest improvements.” Everyone except Windows Phone 7 users, that is.

The company recommended that users with a subscription should take the necessary steps to cancel it “to avoid being billed in the future,” and then apply for a refund. Alternatively, they could continue to make use of their subscription using Skype on their computer or on another mobile platform (listed above).

While you might imagine there aren’t too many Windows Phone 7 users out there these days – most who stuck with the platform have likely upgraded to the latest version by now – a quick look through the Skype forums reveals a few folk upset by the news.

One, identified as braintwee, wrote, “I was going to get a WinPhone 8. Going to get an iPhone instead. Who knows what MS will refuse to support in the future,” while IvanAndrei09 said, “This is the worst decision from Skype. Upgrade to Windows Phone 8? No thanks, I’ll upgrade my phone to Android or iOS buying new phone.”

All is not lost, however, as similar services such as Viber, Tango, and Google Hangouts continue to run on the early version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system.

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Don’t buy the Galaxy Z Fold 6. Here are 5 reasons to wait for the Z Fold 7
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 in different colors.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has arrived. With Samsung’s newest top-tier foldable, you get blazing-fast performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip, along with 12GB RAM and a ton of new Galaxy AI features to maximize your productivity. And with up to 1TB of storage, there’s plenty of space for all of your photos and video taken with the triple-lens rear camera system.

But as great as the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 sounds, there are a few reasons to hold off and wait for next year’s model, especially considering the expensive $1,900 price tag. Here are some reasons why waiting for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be a better idea.
The cameras barely changed

Read more
Did you have an iPhone 7? Apple may still owe you money
how to reset an iPhone

It’s been years since the iPhone 7 was released in 2016, but the class action lawsuit against Apple over audio issues has finally worked its way through the courts, resulting in a $35 million settlement. The good news is that if you weren’t aware of this settlement and you are an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus owner, you may still be able to claim the settlement money.

The original deadline for the settlement was June 3, 2024, but the United States District Court for the Northern District of California revised it to July 3, 2024, for unknown reasons.

Read more
Here’s what the Windows Phone would look like in 2024 if Microsoft had never killed it
Windows phone mockup 2024

You probably haven’t thought about Windows phones in a while. After all, why would you? The last Windows Phone handset to be released was the Microsoft Lumia 650 in 2016, so it’s been a good eight years since anyone has been able to buy one. But that doesn’t mean that Windows phones don’t still have a cult following, and one of those followers, Proloy Karmakar, came up with a pretty interesting mock-up on X (formerly Twitter) of what a Windows phone might look like today.

https://twitter.com/proloyoncloud/status/1804124704594366773

Read more