If you plan to experiment with very old versions (1.0–4.7) on desktop later, check the "Old MSN Support" box during signup. Step 2: Install Mercury Messenger
The door is closing. The users are signing off. But thanks to Escargot, your MSN buddy list is still out there, waiting to be poked.
You need to sideload an APK of IM+ version 7.x (pre-2014). These versions still have the MSN protocol built-in. escargot msn android
Applications like MyMiranda or other XMPP/MSN gateway bridges have been experimented with by the community. However, the most stable method often remains using the specific Escargot-compatible builds shared within their Discord or IRC channels.
To clarify:
Escargot is an independent server replacement that allows abandoned messaging services—primarily MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger—to function again. Since Microsoft officially shut down its servers years ago, Escargot provides a custom backend where users can: new "Escargot" accounts to chat with friends.
If you simply cannot get the APK to work, consider these retro-chat alternatives for Android: If you plan to experiment with very old versions (1
For millions of 90s and early 2000s kids, MSN Messenger (later Windows Live Messenger) was the internet. It was shut down by Microsoft in 2013, leaving a void filled by sterile, algorithmic social media. But nostalgia is a powerful force. Enter —a volunteer-driven reverse-engineering project that resurrects the original MSN protocol. The holy grail for modern users? Getting it to run on Android .
Whether you find a working Android app (like a modified version of "Mercury Messenger" or "aMSN" port), the settings are universal. Here is what you input: But thanks to Escargot, your MSN buddy list
If you want a stable experience right now, remote desktop is the only professional solution. Here is how to do it: