Getting started

Add your friends

Click the Add button above your contact list, or Contacts > Add a Contact, and type your friend's Yahoo! ID. They get a request, and once they accept, you see each other online.

Talk

• Double-click a friend to send instant messages. A friend who is offline gets them when they sign in.
• Use the buttons of the conversation window for emoticons, audibles, IMVironments, files and photos.
• Start a voice or video call from the conversation window, or watch a friend's webcam.
• Open Messenger > Yahoo! Chat to talk with many people in chat rooms.

Say what you're up to

Click your status under your name to set a status message. Your friends see it in their contact list and in their Y! Updates tab.

Your picture

Messenger > My Display Image lets you share a picture or a drawn avatar.

Privacy

Go invisible from your status, appear offline to one friend with Stealth Settings, or ignore someone who bothers you. See also reporting abuse.