AOL Finally Hangs Up the Modem: Dial-Up Internet Ends After 34 Years

The End of an Era!

On September 30, 2025, the familiar screech and clunk of AOL’s dial-up connection will fall silent. A once-ubiquitous sound of the early internet—one that introduced millions to the online world—is being retired. Alongside the service, AOL will discontinue its old Dialer software and Shield browser, which were built for vintage systems.

Here's What’s Happening

• This service first launched back in 1991 and became a signature internet experience—remember those "You've Got Mail" alerts?
• Despite broadband ruling the waves for years, over 160,000 American households were still using dial-up as recently as 2023.
• AOL says this move is part of routine product review—but let’s be honest, it’s essentially the final page on dial-up’s story.
• Don’t worry—your AOL email (and other modern services) will live on. This is strictly a farewell to the old school connection.

Beyond Nostalgia

This isn’t just about losing a retro sound effect—it's a reminder of how fast technology moves. Dial-up once defined getting online. Now, its sunset cements how far we've come—from beeps and busy signals to fiber, 5G, and always-on mobile connections.