diff --git a/packages/collectd/pybitmessagestatus.py b/packages/collectd/pybitmessagestatus.py
index d15c3a48..cb29a071 100644
--- a/packages/collectd/pybitmessagestatus.py
+++ b/packages/collectd/pybitmessagestatus.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 import collectd
 import json
-import xmlrpclib
+from six.moves import xmlrpc_client as xmlrpclib
 
 pybmurl = ""
 api = ""
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 30436bec..0daf5d74 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import os
 import platform
 import shutil
 import sys
+import six
 
 from importlib import import_module
 from setuptools import setup, Extension
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         'images/kivy/text_images*.png'
     ]}
 
-    if sys.version_info[0] == 3:
+    if six.PY3:
         packages.extend(
             [
                 'pybitmessage.bitmessagekivy',
diff --git a/src/api.py b/src/api.py
index a4445569..7b9c3c33 100644
--- a/src/api.py
+++ b/src/api.py
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ from struct import pack, unpack
 
 import six
 from six.moves import configparser, http_client, xmlrpc_server
+from six.moves.reprlib import repr
 
 import helper_inbox
 import helper_sent
diff --git a/src/bitmessagecli.py b/src/bitmessagecli.py
index 84c618af..a0d0ea6c 100644
--- a/src/bitmessagecli.py
+++ b/src/bitmessagecli.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ import os
 import socket
 import sys
 import time
-import xmlrpclib
+from six.moves import xmlrpc_client as xmlrpclib
+from six.moves import input as raw_input
 
 from bmconfigparser import config
 
diff --git a/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py b/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py
index 64fd735b..6f905963 100644
--- a/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py
+++ b/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py
@@ -10,13 +10,14 @@ Bitmessage commandline interface
 #     * python2-pythondialog
 #  * dialog
 
-import ConfigParser
+from six.moves import configparser
 import curses
 import os
 import sys
 import time
 from textwrap import fill
 from threading import Timer
+import six
 
 from dialog import Dialog
 import helper_sent
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ def ascii(s):
     """ASCII values"""
     r = ""
     for c in s:
-        if ord(c) in range(128):
+        if six.byte2int(c) in range(128):
             r += c
     return r
 
@@ -326,13 +327,13 @@ def handlech(c, stdscr):
     if c != curses.ERR:
         global inboxcur, addrcur, sentcur, subcur, abookcur, blackcur
         if c in range(256):
-            if chr(c) in '12345678':
+            if six.int2byte(c) in '12345678':
                 global menutab
-                menutab = int(chr(c))
-            elif chr(c) == 'q':
+                menutab = int(six.int2byte(c))
+            elif six.int2byte(c) == 'q':
                 global quit_
                 quit_ = True
-            elif chr(c) == '\n':
+            elif six.int2byte(c) == '\n':
                 curses.curs_set(1)
                 d = Dialog(dialog="dialog")
                 if menutab == 1:
@@ -672,7 +673,7 @@ def handlech(c, stdscr):
                                     elif t == "2" and m is False:
                                         try:
                                             mn = config.get(a, "mailinglistname")
-                                        except ConfigParser.NoOptionError:
+                                        except configparser.NoOptionError:
                                             mn = ""
                                         r, t = d.inputbox("Mailing list name", init=mn)
                                         if r == d.DIALOG_OK:
diff --git a/src/bitmessagekivy/identiconGeneration.py b/src/bitmessagekivy/identiconGeneration.py
index 2e2f2e93..63c58c0d 100644
--- a/src/bitmessagekivy/identiconGeneration.py
+++ b/src/bitmessagekivy/identiconGeneration.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Core classes for loading images and converting them to a Texture.
 The raw image data can be keep in memory for further access
 """
 import hashlib
-from io import BytesIO
+from six import BytesIO
 
 from PIL import Image
 from kivy.core.image import Image as CoreImage
diff --git a/src/bitmessagekivy/tests/telenium_process.py b/src/bitmessagekivy/tests/telenium_process.py
index 0a81044d..5fc26e3b 100644
--- a/src/bitmessagekivy/tests/telenium_process.py
+++ b/src/bitmessagekivy/tests/telenium_process.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import os
 import shutil
 import tempfile
 from time import time, sleep
+from six.moves import getcwdb
 
 from telenium.tests import TeleniumTestCase
 from telenium.client import TeleniumHttpException
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ def cleanup(files=_files):
 
 class TeleniumTestProcess(TeleniumTestCase):
     """Setting Screen Functionality Testing"""
-    cmd_entrypoint = [os.path.join(os.path.abspath(os.getcwd()), 'src', 'mockbm', 'kivy_main.py')]
+    cmd_entrypoint = [os.path.join(os.path.abspath(getcwdb()), 'src', 'mockbm', 'kivy_main.py')]
 
     @classmethod
     def setUpClass(cls):
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/__init__.py b/src/bitmessageqt/__init__.py
index 1212e45a..30bb898e 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/__init__.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/__init__.py
@@ -14,8 +14,10 @@ import threading
 import time
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 from sqlite3 import register_adapter
+import six
+from six.moves import range as xrange
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 from PyQt4.QtNetwork import QLocalSocket, QLocalServer
 
@@ -469,7 +471,7 @@ class MyForm(settingsmixin.SMainWindow):
             # add missing folders
             if len(db[toAddress]) > 0:
                 j = 0
-                for f, c in db[toAddress].iteritems():
+                for f, c in six.iteritems(db[toAddress]):
                     try:
                         subwidget = Ui_FolderWidget(widget, j, toAddress, f, c['count'])
                     except KeyError:
@@ -599,7 +601,7 @@ class MyForm(settingsmixin.SMainWindow):
             # add missing folders
             if len(db[toAddress]) > 0:
                 j = 0
-                for f, c in db[toAddress].iteritems():
+                for f, c in six.iteritems(db[toAddress]):
                     if toAddress is not None and tab == 'messages' and folder == "new":
                         continue
                     subwidget = Ui_FolderWidget(widget, j, toAddress, f, c)
@@ -1076,15 +1078,15 @@ class MyForm(settingsmixin.SMainWindow):
             for i in range(root.childCount()):
                 addressItem = root.child(i)
                 if addressItem.type == AccountMixin.ALL:
-                    newCount = sum(totalUnread.itervalues())
+                    newCount = sum(six.itervalues(totalUnread))
                     self.drawTrayIcon(self.currentTrayIconFileName, newCount)
                 else:
                     try:
-                        newCount = sum((
+                        newCount = sum(six.itervalues((
                             broadcastsUnread
                             if addressItem.type == AccountMixin.SUBSCRIPTION
                             else normalUnread
-                        )[addressItem.address].itervalues())
+                        )[addressItem.address]))
                     except KeyError:
                         newCount = 0
                 if newCount != addressItem.unreadCount:
@@ -2872,7 +2874,7 @@ class MyForm(settingsmixin.SMainWindow):
             QtCore.QEventLoop.AllEvents, 1000
         )
         self.saveSettings()
-        for attr, obj in self.ui.__dict__.iteritems():
+        for attr, obj in six.iteritems(self.ui.__dict__):
             if hasattr(obj, "__class__") \
                     and isinstance(obj, settingsmixin.SettingsMixin):
                 saveMethod = getattr(obj, "saveSettings", None)
@@ -4210,7 +4212,7 @@ class MyForm(settingsmixin.SMainWindow):
 
     def initSettings(self):
         self.loadSettings()
-        for attr, obj in self.ui.__dict__.iteritems():
+        for attr, obj in six.iteritems(self.ui.__dict__):
             if hasattr(obj, "__class__") and \
                     isinstance(obj, settingsmixin.SettingsMixin):
                 loadMethod = getattr(obj, "loadSettings", None)
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/account.py b/src/bitmessageqt/account.py
index eefb3a7e..09ab4a1b 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/account.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/account.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import re
 import sys
 import time
 
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 from PyQt4 import QtGui
 
 import queues
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/address_dialogs.py b/src/bitmessageqt/address_dialogs.py
index 98d3dd1c..1c918814 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/address_dialogs.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/address_dialogs.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Dialogs that work with BM address.
 
 import hashlib
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 import queues
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/addressvalidator.py b/src/bitmessageqt/addressvalidator.py
index ac23c31e..382e5c25 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/addressvalidator.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/addressvalidator.py
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ Address validator module.
 """
 # pylint: disable=too-many-branches,too-many-arguments
 
-from Queue import Empty
+from six.moves.queue import Empty
 
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 from PyQt4 import QtGui
 
 from addresses import decodeAddress, addBMIfNotPresent
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/blacklist.py b/src/bitmessageqt/blacklist.py
index 0927f596..fc5d462b 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/blacklist.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/blacklist.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 import widgets
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/dialogs.py b/src/bitmessageqt/dialogs.py
index 85536410..3090114e 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/dialogs.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/dialogs.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Custom dialog classes
 """
 # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 from PyQt4 import QtGui
 
 import paths
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/foldertree.py b/src/bitmessageqt/foldertree.py
index e9fe8038..ffd83042 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/foldertree.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/foldertree.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Folder tree and messagelist widgets definitions.
 
 from cgi import escape
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 from bmconfigparser import config
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/messageview.py b/src/bitmessageqt/messageview.py
index a94b01d1..3959b168 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/messageview.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/messageview.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ zoom and URL click warning popup
 
 """
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 from .safehtmlparser import SafeHTMLParser
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/newchandialog.py b/src/bitmessageqt/newchandialog.py
index 72b4f273..c8088f76 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/newchandialog.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/newchandialog.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ src/bitmessageqt/newchandialog.py
 
 """
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 from bitmessageqt import widgets
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/retranslateui.py b/src/bitmessageqt/retranslateui.py
index ae22e96f..cf5fb65d 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/retranslateui.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/retranslateui.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from os import path
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
+import six
 from PyQt4 import QtGui
 from debug import logger
 from bitmessageqt import widgets
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ class RetranslateMixin(object):
     def retranslateUi(self):
         defaults = QtGui.QWidget()
         widgets.load(self.__class__.__name__.lower() + '.ui', defaults)
-        for attr, value in defaults.__dict__.iteritems():
+        for attr, value in six.iteritems(defaults.__dict__):
             setTextMethod = getattr(value, "setText", None)
             if callable(setTextMethod):
                 getattr(self, attr).setText(ustr(getattr(defaults, attr).text()))
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/safehtmlparser.py b/src/bitmessageqt/safehtmlparser.py
index 42c71486..eff359de 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/safehtmlparser.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/safehtmlparser.py
@@ -2,12 +2,11 @@
 
 import inspect
 import re
-from HTMLParser import HTMLParser
+from six.moves.html_parser import HTMLParser
 
-from urllib import quote_plus
-from urlparse import urlparse
+from six.moves.urllib.parse import quote_plus, urlparse
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 
 class SafeHTMLParser(HTMLParser):
     """HTML parser with sanitisation"""
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/settings.py b/src/bitmessageqt/settings.py
index 14f2d30a..5658651f 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/settings.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/settings.py
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 """
 This module setting file is for settings
 """
-import ConfigParser
+from six.moves import configparser
 import os
 import sys
 import tempfile
 
 import six
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 import debug
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ from tr import _translate
 def getSOCKSProxyType(config):
     """Get user socksproxytype setting from *config*"""
     try:
-        result = ConfigParser.SafeConfigParser.get(
+        result = configparser.SafeConfigParser.get(
             config, 'bitmessagesettings', 'socksproxytype')
-    except (ConfigParser.NoSectionError, ConfigParser.NoOptionError):
+    except (configparser.NoSectionError, configparser.NoOptionError):
         return None
     else:
         if result.lower() in ('', 'none', 'false'):
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/settingsmixin.py b/src/bitmessageqt/settingsmixin.py
index 5a24837d..a80b8d27 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/settingsmixin.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/settingsmixin.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ src/settingsmixin.py
 
 """
 
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
 
 
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/support.py b/src/bitmessageqt/support.py
index cb28d534..9d3c7e26 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/support.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/support.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import ssl
 import sys
 import time
 
-from ver import ustr, unic
+from unqstr import ustr, unic
 from PyQt4 import QtCore
 
 from bitmessageqt import account
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/tests/main.py b/src/bitmessageqt/tests/main.py
index 91f0ae11..01db4ed3 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/tests/main.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/tests/main.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """Common definitions for bitmessageqt tests"""
 
-import Queue
+from six.moves import queue as Queue
 import sys
 import unittest
 
diff --git a/src/bitmessageqt/tests/support.py b/src/bitmessageqt/tests/support.py
index 8985987a..d83f90a0 100644
--- a/src/bitmessageqt/tests/support.py
+++ b/src/bitmessageqt/tests/support.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from shared import isAddressInMyAddressBook
 
 from .main import TestBase
 
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 
 
 class TestSupport(TestBase):
diff --git a/src/bmconfigparser.py b/src/bmconfigparser.py
index abf285ad..ec05af3e 100644
--- a/src/bmconfigparser.py
+++ b/src/bmconfigparser.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ config_ready = Event()
 
 class BMConfigParser(SafeConfigParser):
     """
-    Singleton class inherited from :class:`ConfigParser.SafeConfigParser`
+    Singleton class inherited from :class:`configparser.SafeConfigParser`
     with additional methods specific to bitmessage config.
     """
     # pylint: disable=too-many-ancestors
diff --git a/src/class_singleWorker.py b/src/class_singleWorker.py
index 45b7621f..4f080fa8 100644
--- a/src/class_singleWorker.py
+++ b/src/class_singleWorker.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from bmconfigparser import config
 from helper_sql import sqlExecute, sqlQuery
 from network import knownnodes, StoppableThread
 from six.moves import configparser, queue
+from six.moves.reprlib import repr
 
 
 def sizeof_fmt(num, suffix='h/s'):
diff --git a/src/class_smtpDeliver.py b/src/class_smtpDeliver.py
index 9e3b8ab3..490f296b 100644
--- a/src/class_smtpDeliver.py
+++ b/src/class_smtpDeliver.py
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ SMTP client thread for delivering emails
 # pylint: disable=unused-variable
 
 import smtplib
-import urlparse
+from six.moves.urllib import parse as urlparse
 from email.header import Header
-from email.mime.text import MIMEText
+from six.moves import email_mime_text
 
 import queues
 import state
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class smtpDeliver(StoppableThread):
                     u = urlparse.urlparse(dest)
                     to = urlparse.parse_qs(u.query)['to']
                     client = smtplib.SMTP(u.hostname, u.port)
-                    msg = MIMEText(body, 'plain', 'utf-8')
+                    msg = email_mime_text(body, 'plain', 'utf-8')
                     msg['Subject'] = Header(subject, 'utf-8')
                     msg['From'] = fromAddress + '@' + SMTPDOMAIN
                     toLabel = map(
diff --git a/src/class_sqlThread.py b/src/class_sqlThread.py
index 7df9e253..8b064a76 100644
--- a/src/class_sqlThread.py
+++ b/src/class_sqlThread.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import sqlite3
 import sys
 import threading
 import time
+from six.moves.reprlib import repr
 
 try:
     import helper_sql
diff --git a/src/depends.py b/src/depends.py
index 4212d654..a2b0d6c6 100755
--- a/src/depends.py
+++ b/src/depends.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ and suggest how it may be installed
 import os
 import re
 import sys
+import six
 
 # Only really old versions of Python don't have sys.hexversion. We don't
 # support them. The logging module was introduced in Python 2.3
@@ -452,7 +453,7 @@ def check_dependencies(verbose=False, optional=False):
             'PyBitmessage requires Python 2.7.4 or greater'
             ' (but not Python 3+)')
         has_all_dependencies = False
-    if sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000:
+    if six.PY3:
         logger.error(
             'PyBitmessage does not support Python 3+. Python 2.7.4'
             ' or greater is required. Python 2.7.18 is recommended.')
diff --git a/src/fallback/umsgpack/umsgpack.py b/src/fallback/umsgpack/umsgpack.py
index 34938614..68d5869a 100644
--- a/src/fallback/umsgpack/umsgpack.py
+++ b/src/fallback/umsgpack/umsgpack.py
@@ -49,10 +49,11 @@ License: MIT
 # pylint: disable=too-many-lines,too-many-branches,too-many-statements,global-statement,too-many-return-statements
 # pylint: disable=unused-argument
 
-import collections
-import io
+from six.moves import collections_abc as collections
+from six.moves import range as xrange
 import struct
 import sys
+import six
 
 __version__ = "2.4.1"
 "Module version string"
@@ -99,9 +100,9 @@ class Ext:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
         if not isinstance(type, int) or not (type >= 0 and type <= 127):
             raise TypeError("ext type out of range")
         # Check data is type bytes
-        elif sys.version_info[0] == 3 and not isinstance(data, bytes):
+        elif six.PY3 and not isinstance(data, bytes):
             raise TypeError("ext data is not type \'bytes\'")
-        elif sys.version_info[0] == 2 and not isinstance(data, str):
+        elif six.PY2 and not isinstance(data, str):
             raise TypeError("ext data is not type \'str\'")
         self.type = type
         self.data = data
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ class Ext:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
         String representation of this Ext object.
         """
         s = "Ext Object (Type: 0x%02x, Data: " % self.type
-        s += " ".join(["0x%02x" % ord(self.data[i:i + 1])
+        s += " ".join(["0x%02x" % six.byte2int(self.data[i:i + 1])
                        for i in xrange(min(len(self.data), 8))])
         if len(self.data) > 8:
             s += " ..."
@@ -549,7 +550,7 @@ def _packb2(obj, **options):
     '\x82\xa7compact\xc3\xa6schema\x00'
     >>>
     """
-    fp = io.BytesIO()
+    fp = six.BytesIO()
     _pack2(obj, fp, **options)
     return fp.getvalue()
 
@@ -582,7 +583,7 @@ def _packb3(obj, **options):
     b'\x82\xa7compact\xc3\xa6schema\x00'
     >>>
     """
-    fp = io.BytesIO()
+    fp = six.BytesIO()
     _pack3(obj, fp, **options)
     return fp.getvalue()
 
@@ -599,7 +600,7 @@ def _read_except(fp, n):
 
 
 def _unpack_integer(code, fp, options):
-    if (ord(code) & 0xe0) == 0xe0:
+    if (six.byte2int(code) & 0xe0) == 0xe0:
         return struct.unpack("b", code)[0]
     elif code == b'\xd0':
         return struct.unpack("b", _read_except(fp, 1))[0]
@@ -609,7 +610,7 @@ def _unpack_integer(code, fp, options):
         return struct.unpack(">i", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     elif code == b'\xd3':
         return struct.unpack(">q", _read_except(fp, 8))[0]
-    elif (ord(code) & 0x80) == 0x00:
+    elif (six.byte2int(code) & 0x80) == 0x00:
         return struct.unpack("B", code)[0]
     elif code == b'\xcc':
         return struct.unpack("B", _read_except(fp, 1))[0]
@@ -619,21 +620,21 @@ def _unpack_integer(code, fp, options):
         return struct.unpack(">I", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     elif code == b'\xcf':
         return struct.unpack(">Q", _read_except(fp, 8))[0]
-    raise Exception("logic error, not int: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+    raise Exception("logic error, not int: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
 
 def _unpack_reserved(code, fp, options):
     if code == b'\xc1':
         raise ReservedCodeException(
-            "encountered reserved code: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+            "encountered reserved code: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
     raise Exception(
-        "logic error, not reserved code: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+        "logic error, not reserved code: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
 
 def _unpack_nil(code, fp, options):
     if code == b'\xc0':
         return None
-    raise Exception("logic error, not nil: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+    raise Exception("logic error, not nil: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
 
 def _unpack_boolean(code, fp, options):
@@ -641,7 +642,7 @@ def _unpack_boolean(code, fp, options):
         return False
     elif code == b'\xc3':
         return True
-    raise Exception("logic error, not boolean: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+    raise Exception("logic error, not boolean: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
 
 def _unpack_float(code, fp, options):
@@ -649,12 +650,12 @@ def _unpack_float(code, fp, options):
         return struct.unpack(">f", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     elif code == b'\xcb':
         return struct.unpack(">d", _read_except(fp, 8))[0]
-    raise Exception("logic error, not float: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+    raise Exception("logic error, not float: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
 
 def _unpack_string(code, fp, options):
-    if (ord(code) & 0xe0) == 0xa0:
-        length = ord(code) & ~0xe0
+    if (six.byte2int(code) & 0xe0) == 0xa0:
+        length = six.byte2int(code) & ~0xe0
     elif code == b'\xd9':
         length = struct.unpack("B", _read_except(fp, 1))[0]
     elif code == b'\xda':
@@ -662,7 +663,7 @@ def _unpack_string(code, fp, options):
     elif code == b'\xdb':
         length = struct.unpack(">I", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     else:
-        raise Exception("logic error, not string: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+        raise Exception("logic error, not string: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
     # Always return raw bytes in compatibility mode
     global compatibility
@@ -686,7 +687,7 @@ def _unpack_binary(code, fp, options):
     elif code == b'\xc6':
         length = struct.unpack(">I", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     else:
-        raise Exception("logic error, not binary: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+        raise Exception("logic error, not binary: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
     return _read_except(fp, length)
 
@@ -709,9 +710,9 @@ def _unpack_ext(code, fp, options):
     elif code == b'\xc9':
         length = struct.unpack(">I", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     else:
-        raise Exception("logic error, not ext: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+        raise Exception("logic error, not ext: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
-    ext = Ext(ord(_read_except(fp, 1)), _read_except(fp, length))
+    ext = Ext(six.byte2int(_read_except(fp, 1)), _read_except(fp, length))
 
     # Unpack with ext handler, if we have one
     ext_handlers = options.get("ext_handlers")
@@ -722,14 +723,14 @@ def _unpack_ext(code, fp, options):
 
 
 def _unpack_array(code, fp, options):
-    if (ord(code) & 0xf0) == 0x90:
-        length = (ord(code) & ~0xf0)
+    if (six.byte2int(code) & 0xf0) == 0x90:
+        length = (six.byte2int(code) & ~0xf0)
     elif code == b'\xdc':
         length = struct.unpack(">H", _read_except(fp, 2))[0]
     elif code == b'\xdd':
         length = struct.unpack(">I", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     else:
-        raise Exception("logic error, not array: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+        raise Exception("logic error, not array: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
     return [_unpack(fp, options) for _ in xrange(length)]
 
@@ -741,14 +742,14 @@ def _deep_list_to_tuple(obj):
 
 
 def _unpack_map(code, fp, options):
-    if (ord(code) & 0xf0) == 0x80:
-        length = (ord(code) & ~0xf0)
+    if (six.byte2int(code) & 0xf0) == 0x80:
+        length = (six.byte2int(code) & ~0xf0)
     elif code == b'\xde':
         length = struct.unpack(">H", _read_except(fp, 2))[0]
     elif code == b'\xdf':
         length = struct.unpack(">I", _read_except(fp, 4))[0]
     else:
-        raise Exception("logic error, not map: 0x%02x" % ord(code))
+        raise Exception("logic error, not map: 0x%02x" % six.byte2int(code))
 
     d = {} if not options.get('use_ordered_dict') \
         else collections.OrderedDict()
@@ -911,7 +912,7 @@ def _unpackb2(s, **options):
     """
     if not isinstance(s, (str, bytearray)):
         raise TypeError("packed data must be type 'str' or 'bytearray'")
-    return _unpack(io.BytesIO(s), options)
+    return _unpack(six.BytesIO(s), options)
 
 
 # For Python 3, expects a bytes object
@@ -957,7 +958,7 @@ def _unpackb3(s, **options):
     """
     if not isinstance(s, (bytes, bytearray)):
         raise TypeError("packed data must be type 'bytes' or 'bytearray'")
-    return _unpack(io.BytesIO(s), options)
+    return _unpack(six.BytesIO(s), options)
 
 #############################################################################
 # Module Initialization
@@ -990,7 +991,7 @@ def __init():
         _float_precision = "single"
 
     # Map packb and unpackb to the appropriate version
-    if sys.version_info[0] == 3:
+    if six.PY3:
         pack = _pack3
         packb = _packb3
         dump = _pack3
diff --git a/src/l10n.py b/src/l10n.py
index fe02d3f4..927937d7 100644
--- a/src/l10n.py
+++ b/src/l10n.py
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 import logging
 import os
 import re
-import sys
 import time
+import six
 
 from six.moves import range
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ if not re.search(r'\d', time.strftime(time_format)):
 
 # It seems some systems lie about the encoding they use
 # so we perform comprehensive decoding tests
-elif sys.version_info[0] == 2:
+elif six.PY2:
     try:
         # Check day names
         for i in range(7):
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def formatTimestamp(timestamp=None):
         except ValueError:
             timestring = time.strftime(time_format)
 
-    if sys.version_info[0] == 2:
+    if six.PY2:
         return timestring.decode(encoding)
     return timestring
 
diff --git a/src/multiqueue.py b/src/multiqueue.py
index 88b6a4dd..80598220 100644
--- a/src/multiqueue.py
+++ b/src/multiqueue.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ A queue with multiple internal subqueues.
 Elements are added into a random subqueue, and retrieval rotates
 """
 
-from collections import deque
+from six.moves.collections_abc import deque
 
 from six.moves import queue
 
diff --git a/src/namecoin.py b/src/namecoin.py
index 7311cd42..6f43ec55 100644
--- a/src/namecoin.py
+++ b/src/namecoin.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Namecoin queries
 # pylint: disable=too-many-branches,protected-access
 
 import base64
-import httplib
+from six.moves import http_client as httplib
 import json
 import os
 import socket
diff --git a/src/network/asyncore_pollchoose.py b/src/network/asyncore_pollchoose.py
index bdd312c6..a41145a1 100644
--- a/src/network/asyncore_pollchoose.py
+++ b/src/network/asyncore_pollchoose.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ from errno import (
     ENOTCONN, ENOTSOCK, EPIPE, ESHUTDOWN, ETIMEDOUT, EWOULDBLOCK, errorcode
 )
 from threading import current_thread
+from six.moves.reprlib import repr
 
 import helper_random
 
diff --git a/src/network/dandelion.py b/src/network/dandelion.py
index 29879085..5784fdd2 100644
--- a/src/network/dandelion.py
+++ b/src/network/dandelion.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 from random import choice, expovariate, sample
 from threading import RLock
 from time import time
+import six
 
 from network import connectionpool
 import state
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ class Dandelion:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
         if logger.isEnabledFor(logging.DEBUG):
             logger.debug(
                 '%s entering fluff mode due to %s.',
-                ''.join('%02x' % ord(i) for i in hashId), reason)
+                ''.join('%02x' % six.byte2int(i) for i in hashId), reason)
         with self.lock:
             try:
                 del self.hashMap[hashId]
@@ -99,12 +100,12 @@ class Dandelion:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
         with self.lock:
             if len(self.stem) < MAX_STEMS:
                 self.stem.append(connection)
-                for k in (k for k, v in self.nodeMap.iteritems() if v is None):
+                for k in (k for k, v in six.iteritems(self.nodeMap) if v is None):
                     self.nodeMap[k] = connection
-                for k, v in {
-                        k: v for k, v in self.hashMap.iteritems()
+                for k, v in six.iteritems({
+                        k: v for k, v in six.iteritems(self.hashMap)
                         if v.child is None
-                }.iteritems():
+                }):
                     self.hashMap[k] = Stem(
                         connection, v.stream, self.poissonTimeout())
                     invQueue.put((v.stream, k, v.child))
@@ -120,14 +121,14 @@ class Dandelion:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
                 self.stem.remove(connection)
                 # active mappings to pointing to the removed node
                 for k in (
-                        k for k, v in self.nodeMap.iteritems()
+                        k for k, v in six.iteritems(self.nodeMap)
                         if v == connection
                 ):
                     self.nodeMap[k] = None
-                for k, v in {
-                        k: v for k, v in self.hashMap.iteritems()
+                for k, v in six.iteritems({
+                        k: v for k, v in six.iteritems(self.hashMap)
                         if v.child == connection
-                }.iteritems():
+                }):
                     self.hashMap[k] = Stem(
                         None, v.stream, self.poissonTimeout())
 
@@ -168,7 +169,7 @@ class Dandelion:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
         with self.lock:
             deadline = time()
             toDelete = [
-                [v.stream, k, v.child] for k, v in self.hashMap.iteritems()
+                [v.stream, k, v.child] for k, v in six.iteritems(self.hashMap)
                 if v.timeout < deadline
             ]
 
diff --git a/src/network/downloadthread.py b/src/network/downloadthread.py
index 4230cca7..38b1c432 100644
--- a/src/network/downloadthread.py
+++ b/src/network/downloadthread.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 """
 import time
 import state
+import six
 import addresses
 import helper_random
 import protocol
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ class DownloadThread(StoppableThread):
         deadline = time.time() - self.requestExpires
         try:
             toDelete = [
-                k for k, v in missingObjects.iteritems()
+                k for k, v in six.iteritems(missingObjects)
                 if v < deadline]
         except RuntimeError:
             pass
diff --git a/src/network/invthread.py b/src/network/invthread.py
index 51224b7f..82a34e13 100644
--- a/src/network/invthread.py
+++ b/src/network/invthread.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Thread to send inv annoucements
 """
-import Queue
+from six.moves import queue as Queue
 import random
 from time import time
 
diff --git a/src/network/knownnodes.py b/src/network/knownnodes.py
index c53be2cd..702f59c6 100644
--- a/src/network/knownnodes.py
+++ b/src/network/knownnodes.py
@@ -10,10 +10,8 @@ import os
 import pickle  # nosec B403
 import threading
 import time
-try:
-    from collections.abc import Iterable
-except ImportError:
-    from collections import Iterable
+from six.moves.collections_abc import Iterable
+import six
 
 import state
 from bmconfigparser import config
@@ -54,8 +52,8 @@ def json_serialize_knownnodes(output):
     Reorganize knownnodes dict and write it as JSON to output
     """
     _serialized = []
-    for stream, peers in knownNodes.iteritems():
-        for peer, info in peers.iteritems():
+    for stream, peers in six.iteritems(knownNodes):
+        for peer, info in six.iteritems(peers):
             info.update(rating=round(info.get('rating', 0), 2))
             _serialized.append({
                 'stream': stream, 'peer': peer._asdict(), 'info': info
@@ -87,7 +85,7 @@ def pickle_deserialize_old_knownnodes(source):
     global knownNodes
     knownNodes = pickle.load(source)  # nosec B301
     for stream in knownNodes.keys():
-        for node, params in knownNodes[stream].iteritems():
+        for node, params in six.iteritems(knownNodes[stream]):
             if isinstance(params, (float, int)):
                 addKnownNode(stream, node, params)
 
diff --git a/src/network/node.py b/src/network/node.py
index 4c532b81..e580778b 100644
--- a/src/network/node.py
+++ b/src/network/node.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """
 Named tuples representing the network peers
 """
-import collections
+from six.moves import collections_abc as collections
 
 Peer = collections.namedtuple('Peer', ['host', 'port'])
 Node = collections.namedtuple('Node', ['services', 'host', 'port'])
diff --git a/src/network/objectracker.py b/src/network/objectracker.py
index c352200d..07a4b675 100644
--- a/src/network/objectracker.py
+++ b/src/network/objectracker.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Module for tracking objects
 """
 import time
 from threading import RLock
+import six
 
 import state
 import network.connectionpool  # use long name to address recursive import
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ class ObjectTracker(object):
                 with self.objectsNewToThemLock:
                     self.objectsNewToThem = {
                         k: v
-                        for k, v in self.objectsNewToThem.iteritems()
+                        for k, v in six.iteritems(self.objectsNewToThem)
                         if v >= deadline}
             self.lastCleaned = time.time()
 
diff --git a/src/network/receivequeuethread.py b/src/network/receivequeuethread.py
index 0e9b5d21..bf6a9eda 100644
--- a/src/network/receivequeuethread.py
+++ b/src/network/receivequeuethread.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Process data incoming from network
 """
 import errno
-import Queue
+from six.moves import queue as Queue
 import socket
 
 from network import connectionpool
diff --git a/src/network/socks4a.py b/src/network/socks4a.py
index 2758838a..bf0adf29 100644
--- a/src/network/socks4a.py
+++ b/src/network/socks4a.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ SOCKS4a proxy module
 import logging
 import socket
 import struct
+import six
 
 from .proxy import GeneralProxyError, Proxy, ProxyError
 
@@ -39,16 +40,16 @@ class Socks4a(Proxy):
     def state_pre_connect(self):
         """Handle feedback from SOCKS4a while it is connecting on our behalf"""
         # Get the response
-        if self.read_buf[0:1] != chr(0x00).encode():
+        if self.read_buf[0:1] != six.int2byte(0x00).encode():
             # bad data
             self.close()
             raise GeneralProxyError(1)
-        elif self.read_buf[1:2] != chr(0x5A).encode():
+        elif self.read_buf[1:2] != six.int2byte(0x5A).encode():
             # Connection failed
             self.close()
-            if ord(self.read_buf[1:2]) in (91, 92, 93):
+            if six.byte2int(self.read_buf[1:2]) in (91, 92, 93):
                 # socks 4 error
-                raise Socks4aError(ord(self.read_buf[1:2]) - 90)
+                raise Socks4aError(six.byte2int(self.read_buf[1:2]) - 90)
             else:
                 raise Socks4aError(4)
         # Get the bound address/port
@@ -102,9 +103,9 @@ class Socks4aConnection(Socks4a):
                 self.append_write_buf(self.ipaddr)
         if self._auth:
             self.append_write_buf(self._auth[0])
-        self.append_write_buf(chr(0x00).encode())
+        self.append_write_buf(six.int2byte(0x00).encode())
         if rmtrslv:
-            self.append_write_buf(self.destination[0] + chr(0x00).encode())
+            self.append_write_buf(self.destination[0] + six.int2byte(0x00).encode())
         self.set_state("pre_connect", length=0, expectBytes=8)
         return True
 
@@ -132,8 +133,8 @@ class Socks4aResolver(Socks4a):
         self.append_write_buf(struct.pack("BBBB", 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x01))
         if self._auth:
             self.append_write_buf(self._auth[0])
-        self.append_write_buf(chr(0x00).encode())
-        self.append_write_buf(self.host + chr(0x00).encode())
+        self.append_write_buf(six.int2byte(0x00).encode())
+        self.append_write_buf(self.host + six.int2byte(0x00).encode())
         self.set_state("pre_connect", length=0, expectBytes=8)
         return True
 
diff --git a/src/network/socks5.py b/src/network/socks5.py
index 1838a737..c295480c 100644
--- a/src/network/socks5.py
+++ b/src/network/socks5.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ SOCKS5 proxy module
 import logging
 import socket
 import struct
+import six
 
 from .node import Peer
 from .proxy import GeneralProxyError, Proxy, ProxyError
@@ -97,20 +98,20 @@ class Socks5(Proxy):
     def state_pre_connect(self):
         """Handle feedback from socks5 while it is connecting on our behalf."""
         # Get the response
-        if self.read_buf[0:1] != chr(0x05).encode():
+        if self.read_buf[0:1] != six.int2byte(0x05).encode():
             self.close()
             raise GeneralProxyError(1)
-        elif self.read_buf[1:2] != chr(0x00).encode():
+        elif self.read_buf[1:2] != six.int2byte(0x00).encode():
             # Connection failed
             self.close()
-            if ord(self.read_buf[1:2]) <= 8:
-                raise Socks5Error(ord(self.read_buf[1:2]))
+            if six.byte2int(self.read_buf[1:2]) <= 8:
+                raise Socks5Error(six.byte2int(self.read_buf[1:2]))
             else:
                 raise Socks5Error(9)
         # Get the bound address/port
-        elif self.read_buf[3:4] == chr(0x01).encode():
+        elif self.read_buf[3:4] == six.int2byte(0x01).encode():
             self.set_state("proxy_addr_1", length=4, expectBytes=4)
-        elif self.read_buf[3:4] == chr(0x03).encode():
+        elif self.read_buf[3:4] == six.int2byte(0x03).encode():
             self.set_state("proxy_addr_2_1", length=4, expectBytes=1)
         else:
             self.close()
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ class Socks5(Proxy):
         (e.g. IPv6, onion, ...). This is part 1 which retrieves the
         length of the data.
         """
-        self.address_length = ord(self.read_buf[0:1])
+        self.address_length = six.byte2int(self.read_buf[0:1])
         self.set_state(
             "proxy_addr_2_2", length=1, expectBytes=self.address_length)
         return True
@@ -171,19 +172,19 @@ class Socks5Connection(Socks5):
         # use the IPv4 address request even if remote resolving was specified.
         try:
             self.ipaddr = socket.inet_aton(self.destination[0])
-            self.append_write_buf(chr(0x01).encode() + self.ipaddr)
+            self.append_write_buf(six.int2byte(0x01).encode() + self.ipaddr)
         except socket.error:  # may be IPv6!
             # Well it's not an IP number,  so it's probably a DNS name.
             if self._remote_dns:
                 # Resolve remotely
                 self.ipaddr = None
-                self.append_write_buf(chr(0x03).encode() + chr(
+                self.append_write_buf(six.int2byte(0x03).encode() + six.int2byte(
                     len(self.destination[0])).encode() + self.destination[0])
             else:
                 # Resolve locally
                 self.ipaddr = socket.inet_aton(
                     socket.gethostbyname(self.destination[0]))
-                self.append_write_buf(chr(0x01).encode() + self.ipaddr)
+                self.append_write_buf(six.int2byte(0x01).encode() + self.ipaddr)
         self.append_write_buf(struct.pack(">H", self.destination[1]))
         self.set_state("pre_connect", length=0, expectBytes=4)
         return True
@@ -208,7 +209,7 @@ class Socks5Resolver(Socks5):
         """Perform resolving"""
         # Now we can request the actual connection
         self.append_write_buf(struct.pack('BBB', 0x05, 0xF0, 0x00))
-        self.append_write_buf(chr(0x03).encode() + chr(
+        self.append_write_buf(six.int2byte(0x03).encode() + six.int2byte(
             len(self.host)).encode() + str(self.host))
         self.append_write_buf(struct.pack(">H", self.port))
         self.set_state("pre_connect", length=0, expectBytes=4)
diff --git a/src/network/tcp.py b/src/network/tcp.py
index 831a3b11..9a01920a 100644
--- a/src/network/tcp.py
+++ b/src/network/tcp.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import math
 import random
 import socket
 import time
+import six
 
 # magic imports!
 import addresses
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ class TCPConnection(BMProto, TLSDispatcher):
                     # only if more recent than 3 hours
                     # and having positive or neutral rating
                     filtered = [
-                        (k, v) for k, v in nodes.iteritems()
+                        (k, v) for k, v in six.iteritems(nodes)
                         if v["lastseen"] > int(time.time())
                         - maximumAgeOfNodesThatIAdvertiseToOthers
                         and v["rating"] >= 0 and not k.host.endswith('.onion')
diff --git a/src/plugins/menu_qrcode.py b/src/plugins/menu_qrcode.py
index ea322a49..e5d41822 100644
--- a/src/plugins/menu_qrcode.py
+++ b/src/plugins/menu_qrcode.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 A menu plugin showing QR-Code for bitmessage address in modal dialog.
 """
 
-import urllib
+from six.moves.urllib.parse import urlencode
 
 import qrcode
 from PyQt4 import QtCore, QtGui
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def connect_plugin(form):
                 return
         dialog.render(
             'bitmessage:%s' % account.address + (
-                '?' + urllib.urlencode({'label': label.encode('utf-8')})
+                '?' + urlencode({'label': label.encode('utf-8')})
                 if label != account.address else '')
         )
         dialog.exec_()
diff --git a/src/protocol.py b/src/protocol.py
index 7f9830e5..e300b97a 100644
--- a/src/protocol.py
+++ b/src/protocol.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import sys
 import time
 from binascii import hexlify
 from struct import Struct, pack, unpack
+import six
 
 import defaults
 import highlevelcrypto
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ def checkIPv6Address(host, hostStandardFormat, private=False):
             logger.debug('Ignoring loopback address: %s', hostStandardFormat)
         return False
     try:
-        host = [ord(c) for c in host[:2]]
+        host = [six.byte2int(c) for c in host[:2]]
     except TypeError:  # python3 has ints already
         pass
     if host[0] == 0xfe and host[1] & 0xc0 == 0x80:
diff --git a/src/pyelliptic/arithmetic.py b/src/pyelliptic/arithmetic.py
index 23c24b5e..ce66db98 100644
--- a/src/pyelliptic/arithmetic.py
+++ b/src/pyelliptic/arithmetic.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Arithmetic Expressions
 """
 import hashlib
 import re
+import six
 
 P = 2**256 - 2**32 - 2**9 - 2**8 - 2**7 - 2**6 - 2**4 - 1
 A = 0
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ def get_code_string(base):
         return b'123456789ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijkmnopqrstuvwxyz'
     if base == 256:
         try:
-            return b''.join([chr(x) for x in range(256)])
+            return b''.join([six.int2byte(x) for x in range(256)])
         except TypeError:
             return bytes([x for x in range(256)])
 
diff --git a/src/pyelliptic/hash.py b/src/pyelliptic/hash.py
index 70c9a6ce..51ffd623 100644
--- a/src/pyelliptic/hash.py
+++ b/src/pyelliptic/hash.py
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ Wrappers for hash functions from OpenSSL.
 #  Copyright (C) 2011 Yann GUIBET <yannguibet@gmail.com>
 #  See LICENSE for details.
 
+import six
+
 from .openssl import OpenSSL
 
 
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@ def _equals_str(a, b):
         return False
     result = 0
     for x, y in zip(a, b):
-        result |= ord(x) ^ ord(y)
+        result |= six.byte2int(x) ^ six.byte2int(y)
     return result == 0
 
 
diff --git a/src/pyelliptic/openssl.py b/src/pyelliptic/openssl.py
index deb81644..f1def5d3 100644
--- a/src/pyelliptic/openssl.py
+++ b/src/pyelliptic/openssl.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ needed openssl functionality in class _OpenSSL.
 """
 import ctypes
 import sys
+import six
 
 # pylint: disable=protected-access
 
@@ -691,7 +692,7 @@ class _OpenSSL(object):
         length = self.BN_num_bytes(x)
         data = self.malloc(0, length)
         OpenSSL.BN_bn2bin(x, data)
-        return ord(data[length - 1]) & 1
+        return six.byte2int(data[length - 1]) & 1
 
     def get_cipher(self, name):
         """
@@ -745,7 +746,7 @@ class _OpenSSL(object):
         """
         buffer_ = None
         if data != 0:
-            if sys.version_info.major == 3 and isinstance(data, type('')):
+            if six.PY3 and isinstance(data, type('')):
                 data = data.encode()
             buffer_ = self.create_string_buffer(data, size)
         else:
diff --git a/src/shared.py b/src/shared.py
index b85ddb20..64eea088 100644
--- a/src/shared.py
+++ b/src/shared.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import stat
 import subprocess  # nosec B404
 import sys
 from binascii import hexlify
+from six.moves.reprlib import repr
 
 # Project imports.
 import highlevelcrypto
diff --git a/src/storage/storage.py b/src/storage/storage.py
index 9b33eef7..d89be837 100644
--- a/src/storage/storage.py
+++ b/src/storage/storage.py
@@ -4,10 +4,7 @@ Storing inventory items
 
 from abc import abstractmethod
 from collections import namedtuple
-try:
-    from collections import MutableMapping  # pylint: disable=deprecated-class
-except ImportError:
-    from collections.abc import MutableMapping
+from six.moves.collections_abc import MutableMapping  # pylint: disable=deprecated-class
 
 
 InventoryItem = namedtuple('InventoryItem', 'type stream payload expires tag')
diff --git a/src/tests/common.py b/src/tests/common.py
index 2d60c716..0cd84d2f 100644
--- a/src/tests/common.py
+++ b/src/tests/common.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
-import sys
 import time
 import unittest
+import six
 
 
 _files = (
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def checkup():
 
 def skip_python3():
     """Raise unittest.SkipTest() if detected python3"""
-    if sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000:
+    if six.PY3:
         raise unittest.SkipTest('Module is not ported to python3')
 
 
diff --git a/src/tests/core.py b/src/tests/core.py
index f1a11a06..7000223d 100644
--- a/src/tests/core.py
+++ b/src/tests/core.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Tests for core and those that do not work outside
 import atexit
 import os
 import pickle  # nosec
-import Queue
+from six.moves import queue as Queue
 import random  # nosec
 import shutil
 import socket
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import sys
 import threading
 import time
 import unittest
+import six
 
 import protocol
 import state
@@ -137,8 +138,8 @@ class TestCore(unittest.TestCase):
     @staticmethod
     def _outdate_knownnodes():
         with knownnodes.knownNodesLock:
-            for nodes in knownnodes.knownNodes.itervalues():
-                for node in nodes.itervalues():
+            for nodes in six.itervalues(knownnodes.knownNodes):
+                for node in six.itervalues(nodes):
                     node['lastseen'] -= 2419205  # older than 28 days
 
     def test_knownnodes_pickle(self):
@@ -146,9 +147,9 @@ class TestCore(unittest.TestCase):
         pickle_knownnodes()
         self._wipe_knownnodes()
         knownnodes.readKnownNodes()
-        for nodes in knownnodes.knownNodes.itervalues():
+        for nodes in six.itervalues(knownnodes.knownNodes):
             self_count = n = 0
-            for n, node in enumerate(nodes.itervalues()):
+            for n, node in enumerate(six.itervalues(nodes)):
                 if node.get('self'):
                     self_count += 1
             self.assertEqual(n - self_count, 2)
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ class TestCore(unittest.TestCase):
         while c > 0:
             time.sleep(1)
             c -= 2
-            for peer, con in connectionpool.pool.outboundConnections.iteritems():
+            for peer, con in six.iteritems(connectionpool.pool.outboundConnections):
                 if (
                     peer.host.startswith('bootstrap')
                     or peer.host == 'quzwelsuziwqgpt2.onion'
@@ -223,7 +224,7 @@ class TestCore(unittest.TestCase):
             'Failed to connect during %.2f sec' % (time.time() - _started))
 
     def _check_knownnodes(self):
-        for stream in knownnodes.knownNodes.itervalues():
+        for stream in six.itervalues(knownnodes.knownNodes):
             for peer in stream:
                 if peer.host.startswith('bootstrap'):
                     self.fail(
diff --git a/src/tests/partial.py b/src/tests/partial.py
index 870f6626..b5543b71 100644
--- a/src/tests/partial.py
+++ b/src/tests/partial.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import os
 import sys
 import unittest
+import six
 
 from pybitmessage import pathmagic
 
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ class TestPartialRun(unittest.TestCase):
         import state
 
         from debug import logger  # noqa:F401 pylint: disable=unused-variable
-        if sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000:
+        if six.PY3:
             # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module,relative-import
             from mockbm import network as network_mock
             import network
diff --git a/src/tests/test_addressgenerator.py b/src/tests/test_addressgenerator.py
index e48daef9..ea4e6e44 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_addressgenerator.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_addressgenerator.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from binascii import unhexlify
 
 from six.moves import queue
+import six
 
 from .partial import TestPartialRun
 from .samples import (
@@ -91,8 +92,8 @@ class TestAddressGenerator(TestPartialRun):
         self.command_queue.put((
             'createRandomAddress', 4, 1, 'test_random', 1, '', False, 0, 0))
         addr = self.return_queue.get()
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(addr, r'^BM-')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(addr[3:], r'[a-zA-Z1-9]+$')
+        six.assertRegex(self, addr, r'^BM-')
+        six.assertRegex(self, addr[3:], r'[a-zA-Z1-9]+$')
         self.assertLessEqual(len(addr[3:]), 40)
 
         self.assertEqual(
diff --git a/src/tests/test_api.py b/src/tests/test_api.py
index 2a4640fa..db52cc9c 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_api.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import time
 
 from binascii import hexlify
 from six.moves import xmlrpc_client  # nosec
+import six
 
 import psutil
 
@@ -174,28 +175,28 @@ class TestAPI(TestAPIProto):
         self.assertEqual(
             self.api.getDeterministicAddress(self._seed, 3, 1),
             sample_deterministic_addr3)
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.getDeterministicAddress(self._seed, 2, 1),
             r'^API Error 0002:')
 
         # This is here until the streams will be implemented
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.getDeterministicAddress(self._seed, 3, 2),
             r'API Error 0003:')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.createDeterministicAddresses(self._seed, 1, 4, 2),
             r'API Error 0003:')
 
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.createDeterministicAddresses('', 1),
             r'API Error 0001:')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.createDeterministicAddresses(self._seed, 1, 2),
             r'API Error 0002:')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.createDeterministicAddresses(self._seed, 0),
             r'API Error 0004:')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.createDeterministicAddresses(self._seed, 1000),
             r'API Error 0005:')
 
@@ -210,8 +211,8 @@ class TestAPI(TestAPIProto):
     def test_create_random_address(self):
         """API command 'createRandomAddress': basic BM-address validation"""
         addr = self._add_random_address('random_1')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(addr, r'^BM-')
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(addr[3:], r'[a-zA-Z1-9]+$')
+        six.assertRegex(self, addr, r'^BM-')
+        six.assertRegex(self, addr[3:], r'[a-zA-Z1-9]+$')
         # Whitepaper says "around 36 character"
         self.assertLessEqual(len(addr[3:]), 40)
         self.assertEqual(self.api.deleteAddress(addr), 'success')
@@ -242,7 +243,7 @@ class TestAPI(TestAPIProto):
         msg_subject = base64.encodestring('test_subject')
         result = self.api.sendMessage(
             sample_deterministic_addr4, addr, msg_subject, msg)
-        self.assertNotRegexpMatches(result, r'^API Error')
+        six.assertNotRegex(self, result, r'^API Error')
         self.api.deleteAddress(addr)
         # Remove known address
         self.api.deleteAddressBookEntry(sample_deterministic_addr4)
@@ -411,7 +412,7 @@ class TestAPI(TestAPIProto):
             self.assertEqual(self.api.enableAddress(addr, False), 'success')
             result = self.api.sendBroadcast(
                 addr, base64.encodestring('test_subject'), msg)
-            self.assertRegexpMatches(result, r'^API Error 0014:')
+            six.assertRegex(self, result, r'^API Error 0014:')
         finally:
             self.assertEqual(self.api.deleteAddress(addr), 'success')
 
@@ -420,7 +421,7 @@ class TestAPI(TestAPIProto):
         result = self.api.sendBroadcast(
             'BM-GtovgYdgs7qXPkoYaRgrLFuFKz1SFpsw',
             base64.encodestring('test_subject'), msg)
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(result, r'^API Error 0013:')
+        six.assertRegex(self, result, r'^API Error 0013:')
 
     def test_chan(self):
         """Testing chan creation/joining"""
@@ -435,7 +436,7 @@ class TestAPI(TestAPIProto):
             self.assertEqual(self.api.joinChan(self._seed, addr), 'success')
             self.assertEqual(self.api.leaveChan(addr), 'success')
         # Joining with wrong address should fail
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(
+        six.assertRegex(self,
             self.api.joinChan(self._seed, 'BM-2cWzSnwjJ7yRP3nLEW'),
             r'^API Error 0008:'
         )
diff --git a/src/tests/test_api_thread.py b/src/tests/test_api_thread.py
index 6e453b19..6fc3b66f 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_api_thread.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_api_thread.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 """TestAPIThread class definition"""
 
-import sys
 import time
 from binascii import hexlify, unhexlify
 from struct import pack
+import six
 
 from six.moves import queue, xmlrpc_client
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class TestAPIThread(TestPartialRun):
     def test_client_status(self):
         """Ensure the reply of clientStatus corresponds to mock"""
         status = self.api.clientStatus()
-        if sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000:
+        if six.PY3:
             self.assertEqual(status["networkConnections"], 4)
             self.assertEqual(status["pendingDownload"], 0)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/test_inventory.py b/src/tests/test_inventory.py
index 5978f9a5..6e698411 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_inventory.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_inventory.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import struct
 import tempfile
 import time
 import unittest
+import six
 
 from pybitmessage import highlevelcrypto
 from pybitmessage.storage import storage
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ class TestStorageAbstract(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_inventory_storage(self):
         """Check inherited abstract methods"""
-        with self.assertRaisesRegexp(
+        with six.assertRaisesRegex(self,
             TypeError, "^Can't instantiate abstract class.*"
             "methods __contains__, __delitem__, __getitem__, __iter__,"
             " __len__, __setitem__"
diff --git a/src/tests/test_l10n.py b/src/tests/test_l10n.py
index c6988827..a61f2a99 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_l10n.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_l10n.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 """Tests for l10n module"""
 
 import re
-import sys
 import time
 import unittest
+import six
 
 from pybitmessage import l10n
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class TestL10n(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(re.search(r'\d', time.strftime("wrong")))
         timestring_type = type(time.strftime(l10n.DEFAULT_TIME_FORMAT))
         self.assertEqual(timestring_type, str)
-        if sys.version_info[0] == 2:
+        if six.PY2:
             self.assertEqual(timestring_type, bytes)
 
     def test_getWindowsLocale(self):
diff --git a/src/tests/test_log.py b/src/tests/test_log.py
index 4e74e50d..0d05fcb7 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_log.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_log.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 """Tests for logging"""
 
 import subprocess
-import sys
 import unittest
+import six
 
 from pybitmessage import proofofwork
 
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class TestLog(unittest.TestCase):
     """A test case for logging"""
 
     @unittest.skipIf(
-        sys.hexversion < 0x3000000, 'assertLogs is new in version 3.4')
+        six.PY2, 'assertLogs is new in version 3.4')
     def test_LogOutput(self):
         """Use proofofwork.LogOutput to log output of a shell command"""
         with self.assertLogs('default') as cm:  # pylint: disable=no-member
diff --git a/src/tests/test_logger.py b/src/tests/test_logger.py
index d6bf33ed..636a209f 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_logger.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_logger.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ Testing the logger configuration
 
 import os
 import tempfile
+import six
 
 from .test_process import TestProcessProto
 
@@ -52,5 +53,5 @@ handlers=default
 
         self._stop_process()
         data = open(self.log_file).read()
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(data, self.pattern)
-        self.assertRegexpMatches(data, 'Loaded logger configuration')
+        six.assertRegex(self, data, self.pattern)
+        six.assertRegex(self, data, 'Loaded logger configuration')
diff --git a/src/tests/test_protocol.py b/src/tests/test_protocol.py
index e3137b25..6a7f1ee5 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_protocol.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_protocol.py
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 Tests for common protocol functions
 """
 
-import sys
 import unittest
+import six
 
 from pybitmessage import protocol, state
 from pybitmessage.helper_startup import fixSocket
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class TestProtocol(TestSocketInet):
         self.assertEqual(protocol.checkIPAddress(globalhost), '8.8.8.8')
 
     @unittest.skipIf(
-        sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000, 'this is still not working with python3')
+        six.PY3, 'this is still not working with python3')
     def test_check_local_socks(self):
         """The SOCKS part of the local check"""
         self.assertTrue(
diff --git a/src/tests/test_randomtrackingdict.py b/src/tests/test_randomtrackingdict.py
index 2db3c423..528780a9 100644
--- a/src/tests/test_randomtrackingdict.py
+++ b/src/tests/test_randomtrackingdict.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ Tests for RandomTrackingDict Class
 """
 import random
 import unittest
+import six
 
 from time import time
 
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ class TestRandomTrackingDict(unittest.TestCase):
         """helper function for tests, generates a random string"""
         retval = ''
         for _ in range(32):
-            retval += chr(random.randint(0, 255))
+            retval += six.int2byte(random.randint(0, 255))
         return retval
 
     def test_check_randomtrackingdict(self):
diff --git a/src/tr.py b/src/tr.py
index 66920197..4ba1f834 100644
--- a/src/tr.py
+++ b/src/tr.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Translating text
 """
 import os
 
-from ver import ustr
+from unqstr import ustr
 
 try:
     import state
diff --git a/src/ver.py b/src/unqstr.py
similarity index 51%
rename from src/ver.py
rename to src/unqstr.py
index 50e49609..7c984df9 100644
--- a/src/ver.py
+++ b/src/unqstr.py
@@ -1,30 +1,21 @@
 import sys
-
-if not hasattr(sys, "hexversion"):
-    sys.exit("Python version: {0}\n"
-             "PyBitmessage requires Python 2.7.4 or greater"
-             .format(sys.version))
-
-if sys.hexversion < 0x3000000:
-    VER = 2
-else:
-    VER = 3
+import six
 
 def ustr(v):
-    if VER == 3:
+    if six.PY3:
         if isinstance(v, str):
             return v
         else:
             return str(v)
-    # assume VER == 2
+    # assume six.PY2
     if isinstance(v, unicode):
         return v.encode("utf-8", "replace")
     return str(v)
 
 def unic(v):
-    if VER == 3:
+    if six.PY3:
         return v
-    # assume VER == 2
+    # assume six.PY2
     if isinstance(v, unicode):
         return v
     return unicode(v, "utf-8", "replace")
diff --git a/src/upnp.py b/src/upnp.py
index 8776e0f9..fcaee6f7 100644
--- a/src/upnp.py
+++ b/src/upnp.py
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ Complete UPnP port forwarding implementation in separate thread.
 Reference: http://mattscodecave.com/posts/using-python-and-upnp-to-forward-a-port
 """
 
-import httplib
+from six.moves import http_client as httplib
 import re
 import socket
 import time
-import urllib2
+from six.moves.urllib.request import urlopen
 from random import randint
-from urlparse import urlparse
+from six.moves.urllib.parse import urlparse
 from xml.dom.minidom import Document  # nosec B408
 from defusedxml.minidom import parseString
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class Router:  # pylint: disable=old-style-class
             logger.error("UPnP: missing location header")
 
         # get the profile xml file and read it into a variable
-        directory = urllib2.urlopen(header['location']).read()
+        directory = urlopen(header['location']).read()
 
         # create a DOM object that represents the `directory` document
         dom = parseString(directory)
diff --git a/tests.py b/tests.py
index 713b25ef..0e3adaf1 100644
--- a/tests.py
+++ b/tests.py
@@ -3,11 +3,12 @@
 import random  # noseq
 import sys
 import unittest
+import six
 
 
 def unittest_discover():
     """Explicit test suite creation"""
-    if sys.hexversion >= 0x3000000:
+    if six.PY3:
         from pybitmessage import pathmagic
         pathmagic.setup()
     loader = unittest.defaultTestLoader