# ICQ

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ICQ is a cross-platform instant messaging and videotelephony service. ICQ has been around since 1996, one of the longest running instant messengers out there.

ICQ can be used in a client by logging in with the user's given UIN code. Currently as of 2019, newly registering users of the service require an SMS-enabled mobile cell number for confirmation. Since the recent introduction of the new WIM protocol, an e-mail address (if given during registration) can also be used in place of the UIN to log in. The registered cell number can also be used to login, but this would require an SMS confirmation code every time so is not recommended.

The desktop version of ICQ (including on Windows and macOS) is open source (see GitHub).

## Installation

You can use one of following methods in order to use ICQ in Arch:

(please note that ICQ's OSCAR protocol is depreciated and replaced by WIM - you should check if third-party clients support the new protocol instead of the old one. OSCAR still functions (as of March 2019) but it is highly recommended to make use of the new WIM instead):

### Chat client plugins

- By using bitlbee-libpurpleAUR for bitlbeeAUR, an IRC gateway to ICQ and other protocols

### Graphical clients

- icqdesktop-binAUR, the official ICQ client from owner Mail.ru
- pidgin (install purple-icyque-gitAUR with it for the WIM protocol)
- jitsiAUR
- kopete
- qutimAUR

### Command-line clients

- finch (install purple-icyque-gitAUR with it for the WIM protocol)
- centerimAUR
- ekg2AUR
- climmAUR

### Web-based clients

- The official WebICQ.
- franzAUR is an open-source web-based application that can be used for web-based interface of various instant messaging software.
- rambox-binAUR is an open source alternative to Franz. It offers all features of its closed source counterpart.

Category:

- Instant messaging