Apple ends AIM logins with legacy Mac IDs for OS X 10.7.1, found affecting newer OS X versions as we

Posted:
in Mac Software edited July 2014
It appears that Apple's plan to discontinue iChat support for AIM logins using Mac.com and Me.com IDs on OS X 10.7.1 and earlier is affecting some users running newer versions of the Mac operating system, including OS X 10.9 Mavericks and OS X 10.10 Yosemite.




As noted by a support document issued in June, Apple ceased iChat support for AIM users with legacy IDs on June 30, saying upgrading to OS X 10.7.2 or later would offer continued access. The company's new requirement, however, has seemingly ended legacy login support for all OS X versions, including 10.9 Mavericks and beta builds of 10.10 Yosemite, reports AppAdvice.

Using a me.com account registered with AIM, AppleInsider has confirmed operation in Apple's Messages app for both Mavericks and Yosemite has been rendered unusable. It should be noted that Apple is not planning to drop support for AIM itself in current and future OS X versions; just accounts attached to legacy mac.com and me.com IDs, and only for Macs running OS X 10.7.1 or below.

As noted in a thread on Apple's Support Communities forum, users have been receiving messages, like the one seen below, to upgrade to the latest OS X version to continue using AIM with mac.com and me.com IDs. The generic warning popped up on Macs running legacy OS X versions, as well as current the most current builds of Mavericks and Yosemite.

Aside from from these warning messages, Apple did not officially announce the change in service, likely leaving affected users confused as to why their accounts are suddenly failing to connect.


Source: Apple Support Communities forum user Ralph Johns


In addition to first-party iChat and Messages apps, users of third-party clients like Adium are also unable to log into their AIM accounts due to the new measures. Adium has since made users aware of the problem.

It is unclear how many Macs running up-to-date versions of OS X are affected by the issue and Apple has yet to offer comment on the situation.

Users looking for a quick fix can simply register a new AIM account with a current Apple ID through AOL's website, though buddy lists and other settings will have to be reconfigured in iChat or Messages on all affected devices.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 14
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,403member
    I always found it a little odd that Apple stuck with this pathetic throwback for such a long while.
  • Reply 2 of 14
    commentsfcommentsf Posts: 47member
    Now Apple needs to get rid of AOL log ins for the iTunes Store...
  • Reply 3 of 14
    justp1ayinjustp1ayin Posts: 213member

    I hope this frees up more time for them to release the iBeeper

  • Reply 4 of 14
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    That’s pretty darn specific. Only .mac and .me, only iChat accounts, and only old OS’.

     

    Speaking of, iMessage isn’t 1:1 with iChat’s feature set yet. Once iMessage offers 10 voice, 4 video conversations, as well as iChat Theater, AIM can go under all it wants.

  • Reply 5 of 14
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Coincidently, just last week I decided to pull the plug on Adium, which contains my AIM, GTalk, and Y! Messenger logins. iMessage has replaced 15 years of using AIM. The one drawback is I do need to keep my AIM and GTalk logins in the Messages app, although they are set to disabled by default, in case I need to connect to a friend or family member's Mac to assist them. I wish Apple would make that wonderful feature available via iMessage.
  • Reply 6 of 14
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post

    I wish Apple would make that wonderful feature available via iMessage.

     

    Yosemite, baby.

  • Reply 7 of 14
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Yosemite, baby.

    I had no idea this was now included but I just checked and it's there. I guess in a few months when everyone is on Yosemite I finally dump those accounts.
  • Reply 8 of 14
    But I get 750 free AOL minutes if I install that free CD-ROM!
  • Reply 9 of 14
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post



    But I get 750 free AOL minutes if I install that free CD-ROM!

    Remember I had so many of those I could decorate an entire wall;-P

  • Reply 10 of 14
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,801member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by anantksundaram View Post



    I always found it a little odd that Apple stuck with this pathetic throwback for such a long while.

     

    I miss my .mac email address. I always thought it was cool to have the email address [email protected]  Now its stupid with either [email protected] or [email protected] Guess I'm just old school. Other than that, I didn't care much for .mac. I just really liked the .mac email address. I wish Apple still supported it. :(

  • Reply 11 of 14
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,801member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton View Post



    But I get 750 free AOL minutes if I install that free CD-ROM!

     

    I used to like when they sent you the floppy discs. I was always like, thank you AOL for a free floppy. Now I can erase it and put whatever I want on it. 

  • Reply 12 of 14
    I have one of those mac.com accounts that stopped working on the current version of Mavericks. I went into the account settings in Messages and changed it to use SSL and changed the server to api.oscar.aol.com. It is now working again.
  • Reply 13 of 14
    hillstoneshillstones Posts: 1,490member
    AIM is required for screen sharing, so don't be bashing Apple for supporting it.
  • Reply 14 of 14
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member
    Originally Posted by hillstones View Post

    AIM is required for screen sharing...

     

    Until fall. Or, you know, unless you just go to the Screen Sharing application on your computer and connect directly.

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