WeChat

WeChat WeChat is a fast instant messaging app for Android. Send text, voice, images and videos, join large group chats, make voice/video calls, and share Moments, status, and real-time location.

WeChat

WeChat is an instant messaging app that lets you connect quickly with other users who also have the app. You can exchange text messages, audio clips, photos, videos, stickers, and many other types of content.

You can also place video calls or phone calls as long as both you and the person you’re contacting have a stable internet connection.

Account setup and profile customization

Before you can use WeChat, you’ll need to create a user account. The signup process is quick—usually just a few minutes. You can register using either your phone number or a Facebook account, but in both cases you’ll be asked to verify your identity.

After verification, you can personalize your profile. Add a profile photo and details like your name, region, or address. You can even customize the look of your user QR code.

Key features

• Messaging: Send text, voice messages, photos, videos, and stickers. Start group chats with up to 500 members.



• Voice and Video Calls: Make voice or video calls when you have reliable internet. Group video calls support up to 9 participants. WeChat Out provides low-rate calling to mobile phones and landlines (available in select regions).
• Payments: Use Pay and Wallet for mobile payments and money transfers. You can link a card (optional and dependent on your region).
• Social Sharing: Share photos and videos via Moments, or post temporary updates through Status. The Channels tab shows a feed of short videos.
• Location Sharing: Share your real-time location with a single tap, or discover nearby users using People Nearby.

Highlights

Add WeChat users nearby

If you want to meet people outside your existing contacts, you can add nearby users. Turn on location services inside the app, then open the menu and choose Explore > Nearby People.

WeChat will identify users close to you and show their IDs. Tap a user’s name and choose Send greetings to start a conversation. If they respond, you can add them to your contacts as well.

Chatting with text and voice

Messaging is one of WeChat’s core strengths. Much like WhatsApp or Messenger, you can send friends text messages or voice notes.

Use QR codes to share contact info

A standout feature of WeChat is its QR-code system. When two users want to exchange contact details, they don’t need to trade long messages—each person can share their WeChat QR code to send information quickly, and you can even connect as friends right away.

Besides QR codes, you can also add people using a phone number or an ID code.

A “super app” experience (especially in China)

In China, WeChat isn’t just a messaging tool—it’s a regular part of everyday communication. People often use it at work to stay in touch instead of email. Since Facebook is blocked there, it’s no surprise that WeChat has grown into what many call a “super app”, serving millions of people across the country.

Convenient cashless payments

In the Chinese market, you can pay directly through WeChat in many places—from major supermarkets and small stores to public transportation—without carrying cash. This makes WeChat payments especially popular.

When you make a payment, the feature links to your bank account. Each transaction deducts the corresponding amount from your linked account. You can pay in two ways: by scanning a QR code on your phone, or by scanning the QR code shown by the store system.

Mini programs inside WeChat

WeChat is sometimes described as a “super app” because many services are combined in one place. Instead of downloading separate apps for banking or ride-hailing, you can access these features inside WeChat.

Businesses can launch mini programs directly within WeChat rather than relying on standalone apps. These mini programs can send promotional messages to users and use data from WeChat’s large user base (over 1 billion users).

Why so many people use WeChat

• More ways to chat: Send messages via text, photos, voice, video, and real-time location sharing. Group chats support up to 500 members.
• Voice & video calls: High-quality calls worldwide, including group video calls for up to 9 people.
• Moments: Share photos, videos, and more to your Moments feed.
• Status: Post updates to show your mood and share a short-lived experience with friends.
• Sticker gallery: Explore thousands of animated stickers to express yourself, including designs featuring popular cartoon and movie characters.
• Custom stickers: Create unique sticker packs, including the Selfie Stickers feature.
• Real-time location: Share your live location with a tap when directions are hard to explain.
• Pay: Enjoy mobile payment features via Pay and Wallet (only available in certain regions).



• WeChat Out: Call mobile phones and landlines at very low rates (only available in certain regions).
• Language support: Locali (language support continues in the original listing).