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What Was AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)?
AOL Instant Messenger shut down in 2017
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 7, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Texting & Messaging Email Texting & Messaging Video Calls Introduced in 1997, AOL Instant Messenger was one of the world's most popular instant messaging clients. The free AIM software let users send instant messages to anyone on their "Buddy List." It also featured social media integration, photo and file sharing, video and audio chat, Buddy List themes/skins, and more. On December 15, 2017, AIM was discontinued. Looking for AIM Mail? While AIM, the instant messaging platform, is no longer around, AOL's mail service, sometimes called AIM Mail but officially called AOL Mail, is alive and well. You can log in to AIM Mail here using your old AIM username or full AOL email address. What Was AIM
AIM was a chat service available from desktops, mobile devices, and web browsers. You could log in with your AOL account to instantly communicate with any of your contacts. AIM didn't only support one-on-one chats and group IMs. It also allowed you to chat with your Google Talk friends and connected to your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, YouTube, Foursquare, and others) to show your feeds, trade files, and share location updates. If you had an old phone that didn't support the mobile app, you could use the AIM for TXT service to send and receive text messages with your Buddy List through SMS. Another way to use it was through AIM Mail (AOL Mail). There used to be a chat integration that connected with AIM, letting you view emails and chat messages in one place. AOL released other features over the years: AIM Express: Stripped-down, browser-based messenger for users that weren't running the standalone programAIM Pages: Make an online profileAIM Real-time IM: See what the other person was typing in real-timeAIM to mobile: Send texts to cell phones AIM History
Here is a brief look at the history of AIM, including when some of the more prominent features were added and removed: May 1997: AOL releases AIM as a standalone program for WindowsMay 2006: AIM Pages is introduced, and then shuts down in 2007; AIM Phoneline is released to let users make and receive calls, and then shuts down in 2009March 2008: iOS users can now install the AIM appApril 2010: AIM comes to the iPadDecember 2010: AIM apps include ads and are now available for Mac, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and other platformsJune 2015: Verizon Communications purchases AOLJune 2017: Verizon combines AOL and Yahoo into Oath Inc (later rebranded as Verizon Media)October 2017: It's announced that AOL will shut downDecember 2017: AIM is discontinued Why Did AIM Shut Down
AOL had this to say in October 2017 about the AOL Instant Messenger shutdown: We know there are so many loyal fans who have used AIM for decades; and we loved working and building the first chat app of its kind since 1997. Our focus will always be on providing the kind of innovative experiences consumers want. We’re more excited than ever to focus on building the next generation of iconic brands and life-changing products. AIM Alternatives
AOL never provided an alternative chat program for AIM, but loads of other apps, services, and desktop programs work in much the same way. One intriguing replacement is AIM Phoenix. It's not affiliated with AOL or Verizon Media, but instead is a server that allows some versions of AIM to work. The site offers AIM client downloads and directions for connecting to the server. Other instant messaging applications also work, and they don't involve changing server settings or downloading archived programs. Facebook Messenger is a popular one that works from phones, tablets, desktops, and web browsers. Other examples include WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Snapchat, and Kik. Most of these apps also let you make free calls over the internet. 10 Popular and Free Instant Messaging Apps FAQ How do I delete my AIM/AOL account? To permanently delete your AOL account, log in to the AOL account termination page with your AOL or AIM user name and password. Then, select Continue to delete my account, confirm your email address, and select Yes, terminate this account > Got It. Why does my AOL/AIM Mail page look different? If you're unhappy with the appearance, you can customize your AOL Mail settings. For example, to customize the view, go to Options > Customize and select the options you wish to apply. Or go to Options > Mail Settings and choose the tab for the settings you want to change, such as General, Compose, or Calendar. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Yahoo Messenger: What Was It & Why Did It Shut Down? How to Search Email in AIM or AOL Mail How to Prevent Pop-Ups in AOL or AIM Mail How to Print a Message in AIM Mail or AOL Mail 10 Instant Messaging Services That Used to Be Popular 10 Best Free Email Accounts for 2022 How to Use AOL Mail Through an Email Client How to Use Skype in Your Browser What Is Google Chat? How to Find Your Facebook Messenger History Pros and Cons of Pidgin Instant Messenger How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Won’t Load Messages The Top Free POP and IMAP Email Services How to Access Your AIM Mail Account via POP or IMAP What Are the AOL Mail IMAP Settings? How to Tell When Someone Reads Your Text Message Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies