Skype is closing down
 

Skype has come to the end of its life and is being closed down in May.

I use WhatsApp to call friends/family for free but use Skype and pay a small fee to call the UK for any 'business' calls - so (my O2 deal does not include free UK calls) I am wondering what to replace skype with - any ideas?

Re: Skype is closing down
 

I use Moremins to make calls to the UK it is cheap easy to use and works. To use it though you need a SIM with free minutes my Spanish SIM has free national minutes . Somehow by registering my details with Moremins from their app I make a call to UK it then uses my free Spanish national minutes and takes off my Moremins credit 2 cents per minute, the receiver in UK or wherever I call sees the call as coming from my Spanish number. I have been using it for a few years without problems. I top it up 4.50 euros when needed which usually lasts the whole year which includes family calls. It's simple and effective worth a look.
https://www.moremins.com/en

Re: Skype is closing down
 

This is news to me! I, too, use WhatsApp, but I've got several friends who don't, and Skype is virtually the only direct way for us to communicate, apart from via e-mail....

Re: Skype is closing down
 

There's also some chat going on in The Maple Leaf on this matter.

I do have a couple of Skype accounts but haven't used either for a few years, WhatsApp - mostly on PC - is in daily use.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Thanks I will check out moremins.

Yes, email and Whatsapp are fine, but I want a replacement for cheap calls to the UK when I need to talk, for example, to my UK bank or UK Tax office.

I use O2 in Spain, and my deal with them does not include cheap UK calls.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Just one other thing you can use moremins from internet either data or wifi to call a phone number just as you do with skype. I use it via my free mins from Sim but you dont have to do that. It offers other options like esims but i dont use them. I just top up minimum amount and call vis their app for 2 cents minute. From the app you choose to call the number from either contacts or keying number in on their keypad it then offers choice of calling via sim or internet.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Teams. That is what they want you to use after Skype is withdrawn.

You could use FaceTime if all the users are on Apple products. Works well.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

FaceTime is also available on other platforms not exclusively Apple. Not quite as slick but works fine.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/109364

Re: Skype is closing down
 

The point is, the alternatives mentioned need the receiver to have the same thing, like with Whatsapp, no?
I use Skype for ringing normal landline numbers. I'm trying to find an alternative as well but just to do that. Ring the DVLA, DHL, Pension office etc.without it being paid for from my SIM card account. Something totally independent/separate I can add some money to and leave it at that.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

I am looking at an orange package to replace my skype bi-monthly subscription to phone the US.. 15 eur a month for 1000?) minutes or so of international calls and 50gb internet...

Re: Skype is closing down
 

That is what i use moremins for along with odd call to family. You just phone their normal phone number .

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Yes Mark604 that was my point - finding the cheapest way to make a standard call to official telephone numbers - moremins looks like a solution..

Re: Skype is closing down
 

[QUOTE=spainrico;13302092]Yes Mark604 that was my point - finding the cheapest way to make a standard call to official telephone numbers - moremins looks like a solution..[/QUOTE

Lowest cost top up on moremins is 4 euro credit lasts 12 months. If you havent used up your credit and top up before 12 months is up then remaining credit roles over. Once you get used to the app its really easy to call numbers either from your contacts list or via the apps key pad. I have been using it for about 5 years now without issues. At 2 cents per minute from your credit i dont think you will find a cheaper payg set up to call uk landline or mobile numbers.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Best system out there. Freecall.com.
Still have an account with a few euros in it, though not used for years. Ideal for your situation.
The deal may have changed but it is still free to call landlines in UK if you have money in account.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

Found another simple option Mytello I have never used this one but like Moremins it looks simple to use with low cost top ups which have no time limit expiry. From what i can see calls are 5 cent connection fee and 1 cent per minute there after to call landlines and 5 cents per minute mobiles.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...mytello.dialup

Re: Skype is closing down
 

I'm just hoping that the features we currently use in Skype will be ported over and made available on Teams as well. Free video calls will obviously be there, but I'm curious whether international calling (paid-for of course) will also continue...

Re: Skype is closing down
 

You can run down the credit you currently have with Skype or Teams. They won't allow you to load your Skype account with any more credit. Also no more Skype In calls.

So if you use it calling or receiving calls from real phones then you need to look for something else, otherwise you could carry on with Teams (if you like Teams) if only to use up your credit.

Skype is retiring in May 2025: What you need to know

Re: Skype is closing down
 

The good thing is that they're not pulling the plug completely but will allow you to use up your credit even after the Skype shutdown, as apparently the "Skype Dial Pad" will continue to be available.

Had I known I would have topped-up my account earlier, but I've still got enough credit for my "light" calling needs for at least a few more years... :)

Re: Skype is closing down
 

If you need to call phones as well I guess the closest thing to Skype is Viber. Can't receive calls on a number with Viber though.

Re: Skype is closing down
 

I used to use Viber to call UK phone numbers using the Viber out on their app. I worked fine but found Moremins which was cheaper per call and had the ability if I didn't have WiFi or data to use the free national mins on my Spanish SIM to call a UK number . As you say Viber is another useful option to call UK numbers.