r/Wechat

i have been trying for the past 24hr to set up a douyin account and neither my phone number nor wechat login were doing anything, up until right about now. the thing is, when i type in my phone number it asks for either real name verification or chinese phone number verification, which i cannot do either, but when i try going through wechat, it says it wasn't unable to authorize with weixin. yesterday when i created my wechat account, it never asked for a second person verification, so i don't know if that's the reason why it won't work, but i hope someone could help me. is there anything i could try to make the douyin authorization work with wechat?

I have recently made a new WeChat account but switching between them is quite the hassle and it also logs me out of the App version on my laptop. Is there any way to to this? Thank you very much.

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A Realistic Guide to Accessing Chinese Social Platforms (WeChat, QQ, etc.)

A Note on the Current Climate

There is a growing trend of users spamming forums and comment sections with repetitive requests like "Scan my QR code!" often dozens of times per day. Not only is this disruptive, but the actual success rate of such random, unpaid verifications is exceptionally low.

If you are unable to navigate the verification process independently, it is worth questioning whether you truly need access to these platforms in the first place. The barriers to entry exist for a reason, and circumventing them requires more effort than most anticipate.

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Step 1: Define Your Purpose

Before pursuing an account, ask yourself: Why do I actually need one?

Your intended use case will determine the best platform and the most practical method of access.

1. General Conversation & Language Learning

If your goal is simply to chat with Chinese speakers or practice Mandarin, you do not need to force your way into WeChat or QQ. There are safer, lower-friction alternatives:

· YeeTalk (嘀嗒): Simple interface, foreigner-friendly, low risk of account suspension.

· TT Voice (TT语音): Ideal if you have intermediate+ Mandarin skills; heavily focused on voice chat and gaming communities.

· These platforms are less regulated for international users and are much more forgiving with overseas phone numbers.

2. Personal or Family Connections

If you are trying to connect with a specific Chinese friend or relative, the solution is straightforward: Ask them directly to verify you.

· If they are unwilling, respect their decision.

· Their refusal is not an act of malice; it is an act of self-preservation. WeChat accounts are intrinsically tied to a user's real identity, government ID, and bank cards. If they vouch for a stranger and that stranger engages in spam or illegal activity, the verifier's account is permanently jeopardized—and they cannot simply create another one. They are under no obligation to risk their digital livelihood for your convenience.

3. Gaming (The Most Common Use Case)

This is where the most misconceptions arise. You do not need WeChat for every game.

· Non-Tencent Games: If the game is not published by Tencent, avoid WeChat entirely. Instead, use Channel Servers provided by platforms like 4399, JiuYou, or Huawei Game Center. These offer direct login options that are more stable and less intrusive.

· Tencent Games: Even here, WeChat is the worst option. It is easy to install, but it is terrible for gaming. In China, QQ is the superior choice for the following reasons:

· Exclusive gaming discounts and in-game coupons.

· Better server stability and matchmaking.

· More robust friend-finding features.

Bottom line: If you are a gamer, prioritize QQ over WeChat.

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On Purchasing Accounts (A Cautionary Warning)

I strongly advise against buying pre-verified WeChat accounts.

· Tencent's Policy: Tencent explicitly forbids the sale and transfer of accounts. They enforce this strictly to maintain platform stability and security (legally, they are required to do so).

· High Risk for WeChat: Purchased WeChat accounts are notoriously unstable. They are frequently flagged by automated security systems and banned within days or even hours, regardless of the seller's promises.

· QQ is the Safer (But Not Safe) Alternative: If you choose to disregard this warning, QQ is marginally less risky. Tencent applies less stringent real-time monitoring to QQ due to its legacy architecture and the fact that many older QQ accounts were created before mandatory phone verification. Consequently, these accounts are cheaper to buy.

· Where to Buy: Never use international platforms (e.g., eBay, Discord resellers). They are overpriced and frequently sell recycled, compromised accounts. Instead, use domestic Chinese platforms like Xianyu (闲鱼) or Taobao (淘宝). They are significantly cheaper, more reliable, and sellers offer after-sales support (though still not guaranteed). You may also check the r/WechatVerified subreddit for community-vetted sellers, but exercise extreme caution.

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What Many International Users Don't Realize

Even after you successfully verify an account, you are not done. Expect to provide additional identity information later—especially for QQ.

· This secondary verification is not arbitrary; it is designed to filter out casual, non-serious foreign users, while deterring domestic spammers and bots. The extra steps prove you are a genuine user who will value the account.

· Additionally, many Chinese apps will outright block international phone numbers, displaying errors like "Maximum registration limit reached" (最大注册人数) or "Request timeout" (超时).

· The root cause is twofold:

1. Cost: Overseas SMS verification is expensive for Chinese companies.

2. Legal Liability: The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) holds the platform fully legally responsible for every user's actions. Verifying foreign numbers introduces legal grey areas and compliance risks that most platforms simply refuse to bear.

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If You Have No Financial Resources (But Still Want Access)

If you cannot pay for an account or a verification service, there is still a low-probability but free method: Social Media Solicitation.

You have a slightly better chance of success on platforms that are known to be more foreigner-friendly and open to cross-cultural exchange:

· Xiaohongshu (REDnote - 小红书)

· Bilibili (B站)

· TT Voice (TT语音)

Search for verification-related videos or posts (e.g., "QQ verification help") and politely ask strangers for assistance. Be prepared for a 90%+ rejection rate, as the risks to their own accounts remain high.

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Final Words

Accessing China's digital ecosystem is not a right; it is a privilege, gated by strict regulations and security protocols. Approach it with respect, preparation, and realistic expectations.

Ciao, and good luck.

Guys i want to activate my WeChat account need someone to help me with the barcode verification who is already in wechat

I was just wondering, is penpaling a thing in China?

Is it possible to find someone from mainland China who could show and tell about the life there?

I heard they have 65k characters in their language so I wussed out before even trying to learn it.

If any Chinese person wants to be penpals with with me on reddit dm or email please reach out but I'm looking for people from mainland China.

I'm a 38 y/o male btw and incase you're wondering, yes I do have ADHD.

Regards,

I want to download art images but i dont have a qq account, its from an artist i admire a lot but they deleted their acc and i really want to save all their drawings. I think theres 200+ images? I dont know how qq works but i have the id and password i think, if someone could help send it to me id appreciate it a lot!!

Hello! I'm a 22-year-old dental student from Algeria. I've recently started learning Mandarin, and I'd love to make Chinese friends while learning more about Chinese culture, traditions, and everyday life.

I enjoy hiking, nature, languages, story-driven games, and meaningful conversations. I can also help you with Modern Standard Arabic, Algerian Darija, English, or French.

I'm hoping to visit China in the future, so I'd love to improve my Mandarin and make genuine friends along the way. Maybe we'll even meet someday!

I have WeChat and WhatsApp.

Have a great day! 🌿

Recently discovered WeChat pay can be enabled to support Apple Pay for foreign cards which is great. One problem though is it doesn't seem to save any transaction record of the purchase in WeChat. Sometimes with foreign cards the transaction takes long too long that it times out on the merchants end and I have to prove to them it went through successfully.

With a directly added card, this is ok because I can show them the successful transaction directly in my wechat.
But if I used WeChat's Apple Pay integration, this doesn't seem possible and I just have to tell the merchant "trust me". Any solution?

Hi everyone!

I recently joined WeChat because I’d love to connect with people from China and make some genuine international friends.

A bit about me:
🇵🇭 I’m from the Philippines.
🎓 I work in the healthcare field
📖 I’m learning Mandarin (beginner level)
✈️ I’m planning to visit China in the future

I want to learn more about different cities, food, and everyday life. I enjoy talking about travel, culture, food, hobbies, and just getting to know people from different backgrounds. If you’re learning English, I’d be happy to practice with you too.

If you’re open to making a new friend, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. Looking forward to meeting you all!

It was from 2017 and it still has soo much of strong sentimental value for me and my family…

Does anyone know how id go about recovering this lost account beyond repeatedly brute forcing variations of the password, I can’t remember (or half whether the quantum computer sift through the multi-verse and bring back the info from the random universe that happened to guess correctly)?

It’s have a new account now and both verified so I don’t understand why they aren’t linked idk 🤷‍♂️

Any advice?

Hello folks,

I am a foreigner living in Canada at the moment, I am not a chinese citizen so I do not have the ability to open a chinese bank card. On Wechat I can send money to people living in china, but I don’t have a way to recharge my balance as the app does not accept visa.

How would I go about paying a chinese person with recharging my balance through crypto, emt or paypal?

I am looking for anyone you can teach me and help practice Chinese, and in exchange I'll be willing to help him/her with their English.

I created two WeChat accounts on two different phones, and both were successful. I didn’t need to get an invite code from a friend. What will happen next to my accounts? Will there be any error?

I want to ask this weidan seller if an item they have is out of stock forever but I can't message anyone since someone needs to vouch for me. Id appreciate it lots 🙏