Yahoo Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger is an instant messaging client created by Yahoo, first released on March 9, 1998. The final version was released in 2012 (not counting the "new" mobile version released in December 2015) and the service was officially shut down on August 5, 2016. Currently, there are two server emulators for Yahoo Messenger: PhoenixIM and Escargot.
How to use Yahoo Messenger again
PhoenixIM
PhoenixIM is currently the recommended server for Yahoo Messenger. It currently supports Yahoo! Messenger 6.0 and some versions of 5.x. The list of supported clients is below.
| Version | Status |
|---|---|
 Pager
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v2.0
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v3.0
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v3.5
|
Unknown |
 Messenger v4.1
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v5.0
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v5.5
|
Working |
| Messenger v5.6
|
Unknown |
 Messenger v6.0
|
Working |
| Messenger v6.1
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v7.0
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v7.4
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v8.1
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v9.0
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v10.0
|
Unknown |
| Messenger v11.0
|
Unknown |
How to register & use
- Download Yahoo Messenger 6.0 from the PhoenixIM website: http://iwarg.ddns.net/ymsg/index.php?action=downloads
- Create an account on the same site (on the "User Control" to the right).
- Apply the registry patch (available below).
- Sign in.
- Enjoy!
Registry patch
In order to connect to the servers a registry patch must be applied. To do this:
- Hold down the Windows Key and R.
- Type regedit and hit OK or Enter.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\pager
- Right click and create a String value called ConnServer.
- Click on the newly created value.
- When the box comes up, type either phoenixim.ddns.net or iwarg.ddnes.net
- Click OK.
- Restart Yahoo Messenger if its opened.
- Sign in and it should work.
Alternatively, you could make a .reg file with the following contents:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Yahoo\pager\]
"ConnServer"="phoenixim.ddns.net"
You can also download the YPatcher from the PhoenixIM website.
Escargot
Yahoo Messenger support is currently very limited in Escargot, but a few versions have basic support implemented. As of December 2020, 4 versions are known to work with Escargot's servers: 5.0.0.1066, 5.5.0.1237, 5.5.0.1244, and 5.5.0.1246. To use it, the "Yahoo! Messenger support" option must be enabled when signing up for an Escargot account (or resetting your password). It is likely insecure, so you are recommended to use a throwaway account.
| Version | Status |
|---|---|
| Pager
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v2.0
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v3.0
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v3.5
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v4.1
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v5.0
|
Working |
| Messenger v5.5
|
Working |
| Messenger v5.6
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v6.0
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v6.1
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v7.0
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v7.4
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v8.1
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v9.0
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v10.0
|
Not Working |
| Messenger v11.0
|
Not Working |