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Use an AIM Account for iChat

Wednesday, December 09 2009  by Messages/iChat Messages/iChat

You don't need MobileMe to iChat
Using an AIM screen name <br>Click to see a larger image
Using an AIM screen name
Click to see a larger image
In order to use iChat, you need a chat name. If you have MobileMe, then your MobileMe username is also your chat name. If you don't have MobileMe, then you need to get a chat name from AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). The AIM chat name is free and does not require that you have AOL or any of its software.

  1. Go to aim.com
  2. Click the link that says "Get a Screen Name"
  3. Follow the instructions to create a screen name. You may not get your first choice of screen name since millions of other people have gotten screen names before you. One trick is to add some numbers to the end of the screen name you want, like "chrisb46204'. Write down your screen name so you don't forget it.
  4. Once you have your AIM screen name, LEAVE. DO NOT download any of the AOL software. You will be using the AIM screen name as your chat name in iChat
    5. With your AIM screen name in hand, launch iChat. Follow the set up instructions. Make sure to change the Account Type to "AIM Account" as shown in the illustration. Now all you need are some buddies and you are ready to chat.

    Related Items: iChat | AIM | MobileMe | Learn everything there is to know about Buddy Pics

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Comments

Use an AIM Account for iChat | 8 comments
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
???
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, September 20 2009

Can AIM and .mac accounts video chat with each other?

???
Authored by: chrisb on Monday, September 21 2009

In theory, yes they can, but I have rarely been able to make it work.

Use an AIM Account for iChat
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, January 21 2010

When I tried to get set up in iChat just after creating the AIM account, it said that my AIM account (that I just created) is temporarily suspended, so it won't let me in to use iChat. When I first opened iChat, should I have clicked "Create iChat account" instead of just "continue"?

Thanks

Use an AIM Account for iChat
Authored by: chrisb on Thursday, January 21 2010

It doesn't matter which way you set up the account. I just created a test account and it worked fine. Maybe it was a blip in AIM's system. Try to log in again later or create a new name and try thatl

chris

Use an AIM Account for iChat
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 31 2010

I made a mistake in entering my aim account name and I cannot correct it. I keep getting a disconnect attempt when iChat tries to login. How do I correct or change the aim name in iChat. I corrected it in the address book but this does show in iChat.

Use an AIM Account for iChat
Authored by: chrisb on Wednesday, March 31 2010

Go to iChat Preferences, to the Accounts tab.

Delete the account with the bad info (the button with the - on it) and create a new account with the correct info.

chrisb

Use an AIM Account for iChat
Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, August 26 2011

So in school, we're allowed to use iChat at home. When we were setting up our iChat, we skipped the part where you had to add your AIM account, and I don't know how to add my AIM account to my iChat now. .. and I was hoping you would help my classmates and I.

Use an AIM Account for iChat
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, December 15 2011

go to ichat, prefrences, accounts, and there should be a little plus and minus in the bottom left corner. Click the add button and then a box will pop up. It should all ready be set to aim so then just type in your aim in the text box (DO NOT write "@aim.com" ) type in the password and then press done. You do not need to click make a new ichat account unless you dont even have an aim. X out of all the boxes then go to ichat, accounts. Your's should be there! Click on it to go online and click again to go offline.
I hope I have helped!
-Anonymous

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