Let’s be honest: Modern messaging is efficient, but it’s become… soulless. Everything is clean, minimal, and predictable. That’s why I spent the last few weeks turning back the clock—while keeping the tech firmly in 2026.
I built ICQ Retrogram. 💻✨
It’s a fully functional multi-messenger for WhatsApp and Telegram, but with the exact look and feel of the legendary ICQ 5.
What’s under the hood?
Frontend: Pure retro vibes, including the original status icons, window skins, and that iconic lime-green flower.
Backend: Seamless integration of modern messenger APIs, making sure the nostalgia actually works in your daily life.
The "Why": Because chatting should be fun again. UI design can be more than just "white space and sans-serif fonts."
I’ve documented the entire journey—from the initial spark to the technical hurdles—in a new Medium article.
👉 Read it here: https://felix-helleckes.medium.com/i-built-a-retro-icq-messenger-for-whatsapp-telegram-and-suddenly-chatting-is-fun-again-ad01fc6df8b7
I’m curious: Which old-school feature do you miss the most? The "Invisible" mode? The "Nudge"? Or just the thrill of someone coming online?
Let me know in the comments! 👇
Top comments (0)