What is WeChat and how does it work?

Gabriela Peratello

22.03.24

3 minute read

This quick guide gives an overview of WeChat and how it works. We also take a quick look at Wise, which offers digital accounts, to hold 40+ currencies and send money to 160+ countries with the mid-market exchange rate.

What is WeChat?

WeChat®¹ is a very popular messaging and payment app, with a huge user base, primarily in China, East and Southeast Asia. In fact, it’s been the world’s biggest standalone app for several years already.

WeChat - also known as Weixin® - is available internationally, and also a very helpful way to pay if you’re traveling in China or shopping online with Chinese ecommerce sites.

How does WeChat work?

WeChat offers instant messaging, including social messaging features similar to WhatsApp®. There’s also much more you can do with WeChat, including using mini programs to shop online or access in app tools, or using WeChat Pay to send money and pay, in person and online. Here’s a quick rundown.

Messaging and social features

Use WeChat to connect with people you know, simply by adding their phone number or searching in the app.

You can then send messages and stickers, create groups, share memories, photos and moments, and make individual or group calls over audio or video².

Payment and e-commerce

WeChat also offers WeChat Pay for sending payments, as well as for in person and ecommerce shopping. Some features are only available to users in mainland China or other select regions, but international users can also add a foreign card to send and spend³.

Send money to split a bill in just a few clicks, or send a ‘red envelope’ as a gift of money for a friend or family member. You can also use WeChat to scan and pay in stores in China and in some other countries in Asia.

If you’re using a foreign card to send or spend a CNY payment, the exchange rate will be dictated by the card you use, including any applicable fees. It helps to know that WeChat transaction fees also apply, for any payments over 200 CNY, set at 3%.

You can send or spend up to 6,500 CNY in a single transaction, 50,000 CNY a month, or 65,000 CNY a year.

Mini programs

There’s a pretty astounding array of mini programs⁴ on WeChat which you may look out for - or even just stumble upon when you use the WeChat app.

Mini programs are like an app within an app, offering easy ways to access and share information between users and businesses.

Mini programs include anything from ecommerce mini sites to tools to help you organize your account, plan your diary and more.

You can view mini programs by swiping down, clicking an in chat link or using the search within the WeChat app, to explore your options.

Make low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and send money to 70+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.

If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.

Get started with Wise

See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

WeChat payments: step by step

If you’re based in the US and have a WeChat account you won’t automatically see the option of WeChat Pay - this is only available for users in China and a few other select countries. However, you can still use WeChap Pay by adding it to WeChat and linking a card.

Here’s how to set up WeChat Pay for international use⁵:
Download or Update your WeChat app to the latest version and log in Tap Me, the Services, and Wallet to find the option to add Weixin Pay Read the Weixin Pay User Service Agreement and Privacy Policy and tap Agree Enter your identity information - you may be promoted to upload an image of your ID document now Tap Next to add your debit or credit card to make payments

If you don’t see the option to add Weixin Pay, you can also log in and then navigate to Me and Settings. Here look out for the button marked General, and tap on Tools, then Weixin Pay. Tap Enable to add this option to your app.

Can you use WeChat in the US?

You can register for WeChat in the US and in over 200 other countries and territories⁶. Some functions are not available to US based users, but you’ll be able to access many core services once you’ve created an account.

Use this guide to decide if WeChat is useful in your particular situation. It could be a handy addition to your phone if you’re heading off to China or if you have friends there who use Weixin for messaging.

No matter what you decide in the end, check out Wise for easy ways to send, spend, hold and receive a broad selection of currencies, making an international lifestyle that bit easier.

Sources:

Sources checked on 03.04.2024

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.