Send and Receive free text messages with AIM

Compiled and Debugged by: Diego 11. Aug, 2009 View Comments

Do you have AIM? Did you know you could send and receive free text messages? Yes, you heard me right. Free. Gratis. For nada. Sounds good doesn’t it?

Sending free text messages with AIM

First of all, you need an AIM account. Then simply add a contact beginning with +1 followed by their full number including area code. In order for people to send you text messages, you must send them a message, and have them save the incoming number to contact you in the future.

That’s it. You can send a free text message as long as the receiver’s carrier allows you to. Sometimes the receiver must accept incoming messages but its a one time procedure. The only down side is you must be connected in order to receive messages. If you aren’t, you’ll miss the text entirely.

Can I use other clients other than AIM? What about my phone?

Sure why not? Digsby and Adium allow you to text friends. It’s simply a contact according to AIM. Last time I checked, online client imo.im also allowed you to send and receive these messages, while Meebo didn’t. Maybe it’s changed since then?

Many phones support AIM. So as long as you have access to AIM, you can send/receive text messages. If you have access to AIM on your phone, you can avoid a texting plan. Neat isn’t it?