Microsoft has no plans to make a Skype universal app, new apps will replace the experience

Microsoft says that will be releasing a Messaging, Calling, and Video universal apps with Skype integration and has no plans to build an universal app of Skype.

Messaging app with Skype integration for Windows 10

Microsoft recently announced that will retire the modern app of Skype, first introduced in Windows 8, in favor of the desktop version of messaging service on July 7th. Today, a new report from ZDNet unveils more information about the company’s plans for the future of the app and service.

Microsoft is now confirming that it will not be building a universal app for Skype, instead the software maker will be integrating the Skype service into its new Messaging, Calling, and Video apps.

Users who want to keep having the same “all-in-one application” experience can opt to keep using the desktop version of Skype, which will continue to be compatible with previous versions of Windows, as the new communication apps will only be compatible with Windows 10.

The company also said that Messaging, Calling, and Video universal apps will come pre-loaded on Windows 10 with Skype built-in across phones, tablets, and desktops, but it won’t happen during the July 29th release — Microsoft will roll out the new integration with an update to Windows 10.

For the time being, the company also says that doesn’t have any plans to bring the new Messaging, Phone, and Video Skype apps to Android and iOS. “If we see a need for similar experiences on other platforms, we may consider building them”, Microsoft says.

Now we finally have a better idea — Microsoft is currently not interested on building a universal app of Skype, but it doesn’t mean that the company does not believe in its new universal app model. This only means that Redmond will opt to build three new separate universal Windows apps to replace the modern version of Skype. In addition, users interested on having the new experience will have to upgrade for free to Windows 10, as the apps won’t be available for Windows 7, Windows 8.x, or Windows Phone 8.x.

The new apps will be coming this year for testing, but no specific date has been set.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.