ICQ Shutting Down After Nearly 28 Years

Your ICQ number will soon become a memory of the past. VK, the Russian company that has managed ICQ since 2010, announced that the service will cease to function on June 26th. The company encourages users to transition to its other chat solutions.

ICQ’s shutdown message

The Journey of ICQ

Launched in 1996 by Israeli company Mirabilis, ICQ was one of the pioneering instant messenger services, alongside AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger. Unlike its competitors, ICQ used a unique numbering system to connect users, setting it apart from the use of aliases or email addresses.

In 1998, AOL acquired ICQ, and by 2001, the service boasted over 100 million registered users, according to a release from Time Warner, which had merged with AOL in 2000. In 2010, AOL sold ICQ to Digital Sky Technologies, the parent company of VK, then known as Mail.ru.

Unique Features and Nostalgia

ICQ was not just another messenger; it had unique features that endeared it to its users. The platform allowed for SMS messaging and the ability to send messages to offline users.  Also, who could forget the iconic “Uh oh!” alert sound that signaled a new message? These features made ICQ a standout in the early days of instant messaging.

Modern-Day ICQ and Its Decline

The modern version of ICQ was similar to other messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. However, according to The Verge, by March 2023, ICQ had already been removed from both the App Store and Play Store, indicating its decline. VK’s recent announcement seems to confirm what many had already suspected: ICQ had been on its way out for some time.

Final Word

As we bid farewell to ICQ, we remember its role in the early days of online communication and the unique experience it provided to millions of users worldwide. For those still using ICQ, VK offers alternative chat solutions like to make the transition smoother.