How to Instant Message Through MSN on a Cell Phone

MSN Messenger is an excellent instant messaging application that allows users to stay in constant touch with everyone they know who uses the program. The MSN Messenger app is easy to install and even easier to use. Whether you've used AOL instant messenger, Yahoo Messenger or any other IM program, learning MSN Messenger is not only easy, it's free. While sending IMs through your computer is a traditional way of messaging, the use of cell phones with MSN Messenger allows for even better connectivity on the go, and it's just as easy to use as the PC version.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Getting Started With MSN Messenger for Cell Phones

1. Sign up for an MSN Messenger username by visiting login.live.com/, where you can click on the "sign up for an account" link. Create a "Live" username and password. Your Live password will be used for signing into your MSN Messenger account.

2. Check to see if your mobile phone comes equipped with MSN Messenger. You can find this information by searching your device's "Applications" menu. If you see the MSN Messenger logo, your device comes preinstalled with the software. Simply click on the MSN app and enter your username and password to sign in and begin messaging. You'll want to check whether the program installed uses text messages, your provider's data plan or both, as they can all end up costing you money.

3. Visit mobile.live.com to access the MSN Messenger client if your device does not feature MSN Messenger. Simply enter your username and password, and you'll be taken to the full MSN Live Mobile site. Choose the messenger app and you're set to go. In this case, text message rates will apply.

4. Decide if you want to use a data plan to send messages, if you want a more robust offering, you can also choose to download a third-party application, such as QuickIM.com. For a more popular and useful option, visit the website shapeservices.com and download its IM+ application, which allows you to message between multiple IM clients at once, including MSN Messenger.

Using MSN Mobile Messenger Services

5. Check the home screen for Mobile Messenger to see who's online. This information includes which users are currently online along with their status messages. Clicking on a user's name will open an IM window. For mobile.live.com, you can chat with up to five people at one time; other apps offer their own maximums.

6. Type in a message to the person you have opened in the window and hit the "send" option. This will send your message to the person chosen.

7. Look for options such as "Add" and "Remove" in most major MSN Messenger applications for easier use. These options are used to add and remove new contacts. You'll want to read the included help file to determine the exact functionality of each option. Each app may include its own icons for each function as well.

8. Check for the option to examine friends' profiles and set your own "away" messages directly from your phone. The exact options vary based on the applications used. In the case of IM+, for instance, you can easily add and remove contacts, set away messages, start group chats and much more.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your IM program uses text messages to chat and not data if you have unlimited messages. Conversely, if you have unlimited data, those types of programs tend to offer real-time chat abilities and more flexibility. Research each application you choose to download before you begin to use it---it could save you plenty of money.

Resources

• Mobihand: MSN Messenger Software