Am I using WeChat or Weixin ?

Weixin and WeChat users are differentiated by mobile numbers, Weixin users use Chinese Mainland mobile numbers while WeChat users use non-Chinese Mainland mobile numbers.

In other words, it’s the mobile phone number that defines whether you’re using WeChat or Weixin.

How to change WeChat account to Weixin account?

If you signed up for an account with a non-Chinese Mainland mobile number, email address, or via Facebook Connect and haven’t subsequently linked your account to a mobile number that uses the international dialling code +86 (“Chinese Mainland mobile number”), you are a WeChat user.

In order to switch to becoming a Weixin user, you will need to link your account to a Chinese Mainland mobile number. You can do so by going to “Me” > “Settings” > “Account Security” > “Phone” > “Change Mobile Number” and binding a Chinese Mainland mobile number.

How to change Weixin account to WeChat account?

If you signed up for an account with or your account is currently linked to a mobile number that uses the international dialling code +86 (“Chinese Mainland mobile number”), or if you used a QQ number to sign up for your account, you are a Weixin user.

In order to switch to becoming a WeChat user, you will need to link your account to a non-Chinese Mainland mobile number. You can do so by going to “Me” > “Settings” > “Account Security” > “Phone” > “Change Mobile Number” and binding a non-Chinese Mainland mobile number.

Differences between WeChat and Weixin

The main features are almost the same, however, some features are different. And some features are still available for foreigners. It all depends on which country your phone number is.

WeChat out

WeChat out is only available for WeChat users. It can’t be found on Weixin.

The following features are available to Weixin users and not available to WeChat users:

WeChat Channels

WeChat Channels is available for Weixin users to watch videos and create WeChat Channels.

However, the WeChat users can only watch videos, but can’t create WeChat Channels. And some WeChat users can’t even find the WeChat Channels on WeChat interface.

If you can’t find WeChat Channels, you can try this proven tip (my foreign friend told me). She didn’t see WeChat Channels at all, but it showing up after updating WeChat through “应用宝”, a Chinese app store.

So you might try to update WeChat via Chinese app store. WeChat Channels missing issue could be fixed.

Weixin Games Center

Tencent Games is the biggest game company in China, and also one of the biggest game companies in the world.

PUBG games (和平精英) and Arena Of Valor (王者荣耀) are owned by the Tencent Group. And other popular games.

The Weixin Games Center is available for all Weixin users and some WeChat users. But some regions WeChat users can’t use Weixin Games Center.

Parental Control Mode

Because of the PUBG and Arena Of Valor, too popular! Causes many students or kids addicted to playing games. So new law was released.

All Chinese games need ID verification, and facial recognition confirmed.

Well, the parental control mode is only available for Weixin users.

That said, all the facial recognition features are not available for WeChat users.

Live stream

For Weixin users, WeChat Livestream is available to watch and active your own Livestream channel.

However, for WeChat users, neither for watching, nor finding Livestream.

Health code

China is the first country to use health code to track people who visit high-risk areas or have contact with infections or not using health code when COVID pandemic.

It’s useless to foreigners, but it is really important for Chinese residents who living, working, or studying abroad, and get back to China.

So if you are using WeChat, then you might need to switch WeChat to Weixin.

WeChat Mini Program

Weixin users can use all Mini Programs. But WeChat users can’t use the Mini Programs which requires facial recognition.

And for some regions’ WeChat users, you can’t find Mini Programs on WeChat. Because it’s hidden by default. In this case, you can ask someone who can use Mini Programs to share one with you.

If you don’t have that kind of friend. Please add me on WeChat, and let me share it with you.

Voiceprint

Voiceprint is a way to unblock WeChat or login WeChat with voice. It does will collect your voice data. So Voiceprint is available for Weixin users and some WeChat users.

The Voiceprint feature is unavailable for WeChat users from the EU/EEA, North America, or UK.

WeChat pay

WeChat pay and Alipay are the most used party payment. For most Chinese people only use WeChat pay or Alipay for purchasing online, or store shopping.

Which means, that WeChat pay is available for Weixin users.

However, not all WeChat users can use WeChat pay. Some regions’ WeChat can’t even find the WeChat Pay on WeChat. Most WeChat users see the WeChat Pay, but are not able to activate WeChat Pay.

WeBeans

WeBeans can be purchased and consumed within Weixin to redeem selected Weixin functions and services. The types of features and services which can be redeemed using WeBeans may be adjusted from time to time at our discretion. WeBeans are not currency and have no monetary value. WeBeans cannot be transferred or paid to any other Weixin user or third party, and it cannot be redeemed or refunded for cash.

However, WeBeans is currently available to all Weixin users and some WeChat users from certain countries.

Kid watch

Kid watch is available to Weixin users, but some WeChat users are not able to use it.

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