How to Use Yahoo Messenger on Cell Phones

Yahoo Messenger is among the premier instant messaging applications, offering a wide range of features that help make communicating with friends, family and co-workers a breeze. This is especially true when you're on the go, as Yahoo Messenger lets you use cell phones to send instant messages or even talk live to the people you know. Even when you're away from your computer, you can still appear 'In' to those on your contact list if you're signed in to Yahoo Messenger on your cell.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer
• Yahoo Messenger
• Yahoo account
• Internet-enabled cell phone

Set up Yahoo Messenger to Communicate With a Cell Phone

1. Start at the home page for Yahoo Mobile (see Resources below). Follow the link titled 'Register your mobile phone/update your account.'

2. Click the 'Get Started Now' link. You'll be prompted to sign in to your Yahoo account if you haven't already done so. If you don't have an account, you can create one now by clicking the 'Sign up!' link.

3. Specify your cell phone information. Type your phone number into the provided field, then select your carrier and phone manufacturer from the drop-down menus. Click 'Continue.'

4. Select your specific mobile phone device from the drop-down menu, then click 'Continue' to confirm the changes.

5. Set up Yahoo Messenger directly from your cell phone if you prefer. Simply send a text message to 92466 or enter the address 'http://m.yahoo.com' into your phone's Web browser. Yahoo will immediately respond with instructions that walk you through the set-up process.

Use Yahoo Messenger on Your Cell Phone

6. Install the 'Phone Out' feature for Yahoo Messenger and purchase minutes using the 'Get Prepaid Minutes' link.

7. Click on the contact in your 'Contacts' list that you wish to call. Clicking on 'Contact Information' will bring up that person's information, including a cell phone number if you've previously entered it. Click on the 'Phone Out' button that appears to make the call.

8. Send instant messages from your cell phone to other Yahoo Messenger users simply by using your phone's existing text messaging feature. Depending on the type of phone you use, you should see an icon for Yahoo Messenger or Yahoo Mobile on your Menu or Tools screen. The IMs you send will appear on your friends' PCs.

9. Send instant messages from your PC to your friends' cell phones with Yahoo Messenger. Once you've signed up for the service, you should see an option in your Yahoo Messenger window to send an SMS to a contact's mobile phone number. Simply select that option and send your message!

Tips & Warnings

• Customize your Messenger service to play ringtones when calls are incoming.
• Go to the Yahoo Answers Web site if you're having trouble getting your particular brand of cell phone to work with Yahoo Messenger (see Resources below).
• Be sure you understand the cost of using cell phones to transmit messages to Yahoo Messenger. Cell phone companies consider such messages text messages, and may charge a fee every time you send or receive one. Consider getting an unlimited text messaging plan if you're going to be sending a lot of messages.
• If you're using Yahoo Messenger to send and receive instant messages, be aware that many cell phones offer a limited number of characters per message, usually between 160 and 500.
• Don't send private data like credit card numbers, social security numbers or PIN numbers via text messages. You don't want such sensitive information stored in another person's cell phone.

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[khadeer]

on 1/9/2008 Install the 'Phone Out' feature for Yahoo Messenger and purchase minutes using the 'Get Prepaid Minutes' link.