We now have the exact date that Microsoft’s once popular Messenger app will be put to rest. The 100+ million users with Messenger accounts began to receive emails today informing them that Messenger will be retired on March 15 and that all users will then be migrated over to Skype.
The email said, “On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You’ll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You’ll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.”
The transition process will be relatively simple and will just have users merge their accounts with their Microsoft accounts. Messenger apps on Windows Phone, Android and iOS will also begin to stop working and users will be asked to update to the Skype app.
Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5 billion back in May 2011 and its Messenger service has been in a weird place ever since. It doesn’t make much sense for Microsoft to offer two competing communication apps, especially when Skype is notably better.
Messenger was the first IM service my young self ever used, so it makes me sort of sad to see it go. Then again, with newer and extremely convenient ways to chat with people like Facebook messenger, there was no way I was going to sign in to Messenger ever again.
