WeChat is a very popular messaging and payment application, with a large user base mainly in China, East and Southeast Asia. In fact, it has been the world’s largest standalone application for many years. WeChat, or “Weixin” as it is known in China, started as a simple messaging platform and then grew rapidly. Tencent was inspired by the popularity of WhatsApp and other messaging apps and wanted to create an app that offered multiple forms of communication – text, voice, video and group chats. Over the years, however, WeChat has evolved into a “super app” with a variety of features that go far beyond messaging and now combines all the functionality that is usually only available using dozens of different apps.
WeChat App overview
| App Name | |
| Launch date | 21 January 2011 |
| File Size | 255.9 MB |
| Rated for | 12+ |
The technology behind WeChat
The genius of WeChat lies in its design and extensive list of features. The interface is intuitive and makes navigating through the different sections fairly seamless. A key feature is ‘Moments’, a timeline-like interface where users can share updates, photos and articles, similar to Facebook’s newsfeed but more like a feed of different apps converging.
The WeChat platform also works for businesses through “official accounts” that allow them to interact with their followers. This feature essentially turns WeChat into a marketing tool, creating a direct channel between brands and consumers, and also enables easy sales of products, services or digital offers (the “mini-programmes”) through the WeChat platform.
WeChat features
These are some of the services and features that WeChat integrates into the platform without the need to install another app or service. Like the “basic operating system features”:
Messaging: Text, voice and video messaging capabilities, similar to WhatsApp or Messenger, but integrated into WeChat for seamless communication.
Social Media (Moments): A feature for sharing photos, videos and status updates with friends, similar to Facebook’s News Feed.
Payments (WeChat Pay): A digital wallet service for mobile payments and money transfers, enabling cashless transactions across a wide range of services and merchants.
Mini Programs: Apps within apps that provide services like e-commerce, ride-hailing, food delivery and more without requiring a separate installation.
Official Accounts: A platform for businesses and celebrities to engage with followers, publish content and provide services directly within WeChat.
City Services: Integration of various public services, such as booking doctor’s appointments, paying utility bills and paying traffic fines.
WeChat Work: A suite of office collaboration tools including document sharing, project management and communication for professional environments.
Health Code: A health and travel status feature developed at the time for COVID-19 tracking and now other security measures.
Games: An in-app gaming platform that offers a variety of games that can be played directly in WeChat.
QR Code Payments: Use QR codes to make payments, add friends, or quickly access information and services.
E-Commerce: A shopping feature that allows users to purchase goods and services directly through WeChat.
Ride-hailing: Integration with ride-hailing services allows users to book a ride without leaving the app.
Travel & Ticketing: Services for booking flights, trains and cinema tickets, among others, directly from the app.
Food Delivery: Integration with food delivery services, allowing users to order food from local restaurants.
Live Streaming: The ability to watch or broadcast live streams to followers for entertainment or e-commerce.
Location Sharing: Allows users to share their real-time location with friends or access location-based services.
WeChat Out: VoIP service for low-cost calls to mobile phones and landlines worldwide.
Can you use WeChat in the US?
You can register for WeChat in the US and over 200 other countries and regions⁶. Some functions aren’t available to US-based users, but once you create an account you’ll be able to access many key services.
Use this guide to determine whether WeChat is useful in your particular situation. If you’re going to China or if your friends there use Weixin for messaging, it can be a useful addition to your phone.
No matter what you end up deciding, check out Wise for easy ways to send, spend, hold and receive currencies that make international living a little easier.
How to sign up for WeChat
- Download WeChat from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- In the app, tap on “Sign Up”.
- Sign up with your Apple ID (if on iPhone), Google Account (if on Android), Facebook account or phone number.
- Set a quote, username and password, then agree to the Terms of Service.
- WeChat will ask you to agree to its privacy terms by checking a box at the bottom of the screen. This document details what information they collect and how it will be shared.
- You will be asked to solve a small puzzle, perhaps by sliding a puzzle piece.
- Once you solve the puzzle, you will be given a QR code, along with instructions on how to check. The person who verifies you must be in good standing, and not have verified another user within the last month.
- Once they scan your code and enter your phone number, WeChat will send you a verification code. Enter that code in the app, and your account will be activated.