Microsoft announced today on a Skype support web page that it plans to disable the use of Facebook accounts to sign in to Skype in January 2018.

Skype customers who sign in with Facebook credentials currently won't be able to do so anymore from January 10, 2018 onward.

Some Skype versions don't support Facebook accounts already. This is true for the new Skype for Android, iPhone and the desktop operating systems Windows, Mac and Linux, and Skype for Windows 10.

Microsoft provides no explanation for discontinuing Facebook account support but hints at the benefits of using a Microsoft Account to sign in to Skype instead to streamline the sign in experience.

As we continue to roll out the new Skype, we’re discontinuing the option to login via Facebook in January 2018 and will streamline all Skype logins via your Microsoft account. Using a Microsoft Account will enable you to login-in via single sign-in, unlocking all your Microsoft services – including Skype, Office Online, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, and more – in one experience, with just one password.

The only option that Skype customers who use Facebook credentials to sign in to Skype have is to use a Microsoft account, provided that they plan to use the service after January 10, 2018.

Microsoft promises that it helps with the transfer of data from the old account to the new account. This includes options to transfer all Skype contacts, Skype credit, the Skype number, and subscription balance, to update the Skype Manager account if applicable, and to backup the chat history (only available on some systems). Not all data can be transferred from one account to another however.

The migration from using a Facebook account to using a Microsoft Account to sign in to Skype takes three steps:

Create a new Microsoft Account, or use an existing one. Use the instructions on this page to transfer the contacts from the Facebook account to the Microsoft account. If you use Skype for Windows desktop or Skype for Mac, you may save the Skype chat history. Windows: Select Tools > Options, then Privacy, and on the page the Export Chat History button. Select a location and then save to store the history as a CSV file on the local system. Mac: Skype stores the conversation history under ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/, and there in the Skype name folder. Sign in on the Facebook transfer tool page using the Microsoft account to initiate a transfer from the old to the new account. This transfers the credit balance and Skype number to the new account.

Closing Words

It is unclear how many users of Skype are affected by the decision. Skype customers who sign in with Facebook credentials have little over a month to migrate to a Microsoft Account. (via Deskmodder)

Summary Article Name Skype: no more Facebook sign-ins Description Microsoft announced today on a Skype support web page that it plans to disable the use of Facebook accounts to sign in to Skype in January 2018. Author Martin Brinkmann Publisher Ghacks Technology News Logo

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