iChat: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Summary
iChat lets you easily chat using text, audio, or video with other iChat, .Mac, and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users over the Internet—or just on a local network using Bonjour (formerly "Rendezvous"). You can also send and receive files with iChat. Find answers to common questions in this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document.
Products Affected
iChat
Tip: Video chats require a camera designed for this kind of chat, such as iSight.
- How do I get an iChat "account"?
- iChat works great for text chats. How do I get iChat AV for audio or video chats?
- How do I install iChat?
- I can't seem to chat with anyone. What can I do?
- How can I have two or more people chatting in the same Instant Message window?
- Can I communicate with people who use AIM for Windows?
- In an audio chat on my portable Mac, I only hear sound from one speaker. Why?
- Do I need to do something to use iChat AV with a firewall or a NAT router?
- What can I do if video or audio "skips" sometimes when I'm on a wireless network?
- My iSight's picture-in-picture and video snapshots are "mirrored". What's up with that?
- How many buddies I can have in my Buddy List? I have a bunch of friends who use AIM.
- My friend is using AIM but can't chat with me. Why not?
- I hear a beep when I try to send a file to my buddy. How can I send the file?
- I try to use my iSight with iChat, but a "Your camera is in use by another application" message keeps popping up. How do I fix this?
- Where can I learn more about using my iSight camera with iChat AV?
- I can't chat with people in my buddy list when their name is dimmed (grayed out). Why not?
- Where can I find more iChat tips, tricks, and information?
How do I get an iChat "account"?
You can use your existing .Mac account ID or an AIM account ID. If you don't have either, sign up for .Mac or an AIM account.
iChat works great for text chats. How do I get iChat AV for audio or video chats?
All you have to do is make sure your computer meets the iChat AV system requirements. If so, and if you have Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, it's real easy to "turn" iChat into iChat AV--just plug in an iSight. Or, you can use a microphone and third-party FireWire (DV) camera that works with iChat and Mac OS X.
Tip: To use a FireWire (DV) camera with iChat AV, your computer needs a PowerPC G4 or G5 microprocessor. See iChat AV: Does not recognize DV camera on computers with PowerPC G3.
Mac OS X 10.2 or later automatically installs iChat in the Applications folder. The first time you open iChat, a setup assistant will help you make some basic settings. After that, you're ready to chat!
I can't seem to chat with anyone. What can I do?
Try chatting with someone using a Mac via Bonjour (which you can turn on in iChat preferences).
Try using a different user account on your computer. You can create one in Accounts preferences if you need to.
Also, see the rest of the tips in this document.
How can I have two or more people chatting in the same Instant Message window?
Easy! Use a Chat instead of an Instant Message.
Can I communicate with people who use AIM for Windows?
Yes, with iChat AV 2.1 or later you can chat via text, and you can use two-way video conferencing. With the latest version of iChat, included in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, you can perform an audio conference with AOL's Triton Beta software, the latest available AIM client, as well as a two-way video conference.
In an audio chat on my portable Mac, I only hear sound from one speaker. Why?
See iChat AV: Only right speaker makes sound during audio or video chats.
Do I need to do something to use iChat AV with a firewall or a NAT router?
You may need to. See iChat AV: How to Use With a Firewall or NAT Router.
What can I do if video or audio "skips" sometimes when I'm on a wireless network?
See iChat AV: Intermittent video or audio issues with a wireless network .
My iSight's picture-in-picture and video snapshots are "mirrored". What's up with that?
Don't worry, others will see you the way you'd expect. See iChat AV's picture-in-picture and Snapshot is "Mirrored".
How many buddies I can have in my Buddy List?
Your Buddy List can be pretty long if you want it to be. See How many iChat buddies can I have on my Buddy List?
My friend is using AIM but can't chat with me. Why not?
Your friend may need to install a newer version of AIM.
I hear a beep when I try to send a file to my buddy. How can I send the file?
Simply send your buddy a text message first!
I try to use my iSight with iChat, but a "Your camera is in use by another application" appears. How do I fix this?
See iSight "Your camera is in use by another application" message.
Where can I learn more about using my iSight camera with iChat AV?
The iSight Support page, of course!
I can't chat with people in my buddy list when their name is dimmed (grayed out). Why not?
That means the person isn't logged into iChat or AIM. They have to be online and logged in before you can chat with them.
If you try to send a direct Instant Message to an AIM user who isn't logged on, iChat will tell you "AIM error: The person is not currently online".
Additional Information
Where can I find more iChat tips, tricks, and information?
Here's a good place to look: Apple iChat Discussions.
Important: Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. Apple provides this only as a convenience to our users. Apple has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and Apple assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from Apple and that Apple has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.