Delete Skype account - how it works

If you no longer want to use your Skype account, you can simply delete it. We'll show you step by step how it works.

Instructions: Delete account on Skype

In the meantime, all Skype accounts are connected to a Microsoft account. If you delete the Skype account, your Microsoft account will also be closed. If you still have data stored with services such as OneDrive or Outlook.com, you should back it up beforehand.

1. First open the following Skype website and log into your account.
2. Check here whether a subscription is still running. If you do not cancel the subscription, it will continue to run for 60 days. If you still have credit on Skype, it will expire when deleted.
3. Now open the following Microsoft website and confirm your identity, for example by email or phone call.
4. You will then receive a code or be read out over the phone. Then enter this code on the website.
5. Read the information carefully and confirm that all content should be deleted.
6. If you click on the "Mark as account to close" button, you will be shown the date on which your account will be permanently deleted. Confirm with "Done".
7. Note: Your Microsoft account will only be irrevocably deleted after 60 days. Your Skype account will not disappear immediately. A login within the period is sufficient to override the deletion.

Make the Skype account invisible

Alternatively, you can hide your account from other users. This means that new contacts can no longer be easily found using the search function.

1. To do this, open the Skype website again and log in.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top left and scroll down to the "Profile settings".
3. Next to the item "Recognizability" deactivate the option "Show in search results and suggestions".
4. Your account will then be invisible to new contacts.

Delete old Skype accounts

If you have not used your old Skype account for several years and would like to delete it after a long time, the above instructions will not work immediately. Before that, you need to link the Skype account to a mail address.

1. Open the Microsoft website and log in to your Skype account.
2. You will be asked to update your account. You need to link your Skype account with an email address.
3. Make sure that you are not using an email address that you are already using for Microsoft services, such as Skype, OneDrive or Outlook.
4. Now follow the instructions in the first paragraph to permanently delete the Skype account.

In the next practical tip, we will show you the best alternatives to Skype.