AIM Registration

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Registration

AOL Instant Messenger is easy to use. The topics on the page show you what you need to do to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is registration, and how do I register?

• How do I confirm my registration after I've registered?

• What if I accidentally typed the wrong e-mail address during registration?

• Why am I having problems registering?

• How much does AOL Instant Messenger (SM) cost to use?

• Can I convert my AIM account to an AOL account?

• How old do I have to be to use AIM?

• Do I need to Register to use AIM?

Q: What is registration, and how do I register?
A: Registration is the process in which you select a screen name and password to be able to use the AOL Instant Messenger (SM) service. Your screen name must be unique, containing between 3 and 16 characters (numbers and letters). You can't use the service without first registering.

To register, go to the AOL Instant Messenger (SM) web site and register.

Q: How do I confirm my registration after I've registered?
A: After you register, AIM sends you an e-mail allowing you to confirm your registration request. You must respond to this e-mail within 48 hours to complete your registration. (The confirmation e-mail provides instructions on how to respond.) If you forget to respond within 48 hours, or if you lose the confirmation e-mail, AIM can send you the confirmation e-mail again. Select Sign On A Friend in the People menu, and click Send Me Confirmation Mail in the window that appears.

If you don't receive a confirmation e-mail, it is possible that you mistyped your e-mail address when you registered for AIM. You can use the Update E-mail Address option to check your current e-mail address setting and to change that address. This takes about 72 hours.

Windows: Select the My AIM menu, click Options, and click Update E-mail Address.

Macintosh: From the Edit menu, select Account Options -> E-mail Address. Enter your correct e-mail address in the New address field, and click OK.

Q: What if I accidentally typed the wrong e-mail address during registration?
A: You can easily update your e-mail address while signed on to AIM.

Windows: Select the File menu, click My Options, and select Update E-mail Address. Enter your correct e-mail address in the New e-mail address field, and click OK.

Macintosh: : From the Edit menu, select Account Options -> E-mail Address. Enter your correct e-mail address in the New Address field, and click OK.

Q: Why am I having problems registering?
A: There are several things to check for when you are experiencing problems registering:

   • Have you typed your e-mail address correctly in the proper format (for example, joeuser@domain.com)?

   • If you are an America Online member, be sure that you entered the zip code listed in your America Online account information.

   • Did you choose a password and enter it twice correctly?

   • Did you choose a screen name that isn't already in use?

Q: How much does AOL Instant Messenger (SM) cost to use?
A: The AOL Instant Messenger (SM) service is free. However, you are still responsible for your connection to the Internet (e.g. via an ISP) as well as any associated telephone charges.

Q: Can I convert my AIM account to an AOL account?
A: Yes. While you are registering your AOL account, make sure you select the following option to convert your AIM account to an AOL account: You are an AOL Instant Messenger user and you want to create an AOL account. At this time there is not a way to add an AIM screen name as an additional screen name on your AOL account.

Q: How old do I have to be to use AIM?
A: You must be 13 years old or older in order to use AIM.

Q: Do I need to Register to use AIM?
A: You need a screen name to use AIM, but you may already have one reserved. If you have a screen name at any of the following, you can use the same name with AIM: AOL, CompuServe2000, My News, AOL Hometown, or the Personal Finance Channel on AOL.com. If you are an AOL or CS2000 member, go to the AOL or CS2000 registration page to allow your existing screen name to work with Instant Messenger.