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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

WeChat

40
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

WeChat remains a vital communication tool, especially for connecting with contacts in Asia and China, offering messaging, calls, and mobile payments, but recent updates and persistent issues with account verification, privacy concerns, and app bloat are significantly frustrating users.

3.9★ lifetime (80,385) Free + in-app purchases since 2011 by Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited updated 1.0 mo ago recent negative 74% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Account Access & Verification App Bloat & Unwanted Features Performance & Stability Privacy & Data Concerns Core Communication Value
5★128
4★52
3★59
2★68
1★619
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 3.9★ lifetime average

WeChat is widely used for international communication, particularly with friends and family in Asia, offering messaging, voice/video calls, and mobile payment features R6R23R30. However, recent user sentiment is largely negative, driven by difficulties in account creation and login, privacy concerns, and the app's increasing size and intrusive features like the 'mini-shop' module.

What users like

  • Essential for communicating with contacts in Asia and ChinaR6R23R30R75
  • Offers messaging, voice, and video calls across different phone types and locationsR23R30R146R173
  • Includes useful features like mobile payments and money transfersR6R30
  • Provides translation features for multi-language communicationR75

What users complain about

  • Account creation and login are extremely difficult, often requiring existing users to scan a QR code for verificationR3R7R8R15
  • Frequent and unexplained account blocking or restrictions, especially for international usersR25R37R242R250
  • App is bloated with unwanted features like the 'mini-shop' module, leading to ads and poor user experienceR4R9R17R20
  • Significant privacy concerns, including data collection and alleged submission to government serversR10R16R19R44
  • App consumes excessive storage and memory, with large amounts of undeletable trash dataR32R35R42R50
  • Users report frequent crashes, freezing, and slow performance, particularly after updates or when switching appsR18R41R50R374
  • Inconsistent or missing notifications for messages and calls, leading to missed communicationsR395R483R542
  • Issues with specific features like Bluetooth keyboard compatibility, photo display in Moments, and inability to edit sent MomentsR2R21R48R66
  • Difficulty changing linked phone numbers and issues with chat migration/restoreR34R528
  • Unwanted 'Guardian Mode' and child lock features for teenagersR1R28R611

Latest update · v8.0.75

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

What's New: - Bug fixes and improvements.

Recurring themes

Account Access & Verification negative
Many users struggle significantly with creating new accounts or logging in, often citing the mandatory QR code scan by an existing user as a major barrier. This is particularly frustrating for new users who don't know anyone on the platform. Account bans and restrictions, sometimes without clear reasons, are also a recurring problem, especially for international users, making it difficult to maintain communication with family and friends. Customer support for these issues is often unhelpful or slow.R3R7R8R15
App Bloat & Unwanted Features negative
Users are increasingly frustrated by the app's large size and the inclusion of numerous unwanted features, such as the 'mini-shop' module in the international version. These additions lead to intrusive advertisements, disrupt the user interface, and cannot be disabled, making the app feel cluttered and less focused on its core communication purpose. Many desire a 'cleaner' version of the app.R4R9R17R20
Performance & Stability negative
Despite recent 'bug fixes and improvements' noted by the developer, many users report persistent issues with app performance, including frequent crashes, freezing, and slow loading times. This is particularly noticeable after updates, when switching between applications, or on older devices. Users also experience problems with notifications, often missing messages or calls.R18R41R50R374
Privacy & Data Concerns negative
A significant number of reviews express strong concerns about WeChat's privacy practices. Users believe the app collects excessive personal information and is suspected of uploading user data to Chinese government servers. This perception contributes to a general distrust of the platform and its developer.R10R16R19R44
Core Communication Value positive
Despite its flaws, WeChat remains highly valued by users for its ability to facilitate communication with friends and family, especially those in China and other parts of Asia where other messaging apps may be restricted. Its messaging, voice, and video call features are considered reliable for maintaining these connections, and the integrated payment system is also appreciated.R6R22R23R30

Who it's for

WeChat is for individuals who need to communicate with friends, family, or business contacts primarily in China and other parts of Asia R6R23. It is particularly useful for those who rely on its integrated messaging, voice/video calls, and mobile payment functionalities R6R30. It is NOT for users who prioritize privacy, minimal app size, easy account creation without external verification, or consistent app performance without crashes and bloatware R10R15R32R18.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative, which contrasts with the lifetime store rating. The negative themes, particularly around account access, app bloat, and performance, are very prevalent and consistent across multiple regions (US, GB, CA). Positive reviews often highlight the app's utility for international communication, but these are fewer in number in the recent sample.

Frequently asked

Is WeChat free to use?
Yes, WeChat is free to download and use, though it does offer in-app purchases R12.
Why is it so hard to create a WeChat account?
Creating a WeChat account is often difficult because it typically requires an existing WeChat user to scan a QR code to verify your account, which is a significant barrier for new users who don't know anyone on the platform R7R8R15R238.
Does WeChat have privacy issues?
Yes, many users express significant privacy concerns, alleging that WeChat collects personal information and transmits it to Chinese government servers R10R19R44R398.
Why does WeChat take up so much storage?
WeChat takes up a lot of storage because it accumulates a large amount of cache, chat files, and media, and users report that much of this 'trash data' cannot be easily deleted R32R42R50R53.
Can I use WeChat for payments?
Yes, WeChat is very useful for paying and transferring money to other people, allowing users to avoid cash and credit cards R6R30.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] 5/5 · US Super useful: It helped me communicate with my relatives in Asia since they didn’t have messages. Also, it is very useful for paying and transferring money to other people. You don’t need to use cash and credit card anymore.
  2. [R23] 5/5 · US Love this app: This app is great! You can call friends and text them from all over the world. If your friend is using a different phone you can also text/call them! You can post what you did today and share it with your friends and they can comment/like it. In general this app is great not only you can talk to people all over the world but you can also talk to people that is using another phone!
  3. [R30] 5/5 · US Best: My experience with WeChat has been quite good. It is a useful app for messaging, voice and video calls, and sharing photos with friends and family. I also like that it includes extra features such as mobile payments and social networking. The app is easy to use, and communication is usually fast and reliable.
  4. [R75] 5/5 · US Must Have App!: This app is amazing it translates and helps me communicate with my friends that speak different languages other than English. Absolutely phenomenal and a must have to talk to your friends from all around the world. Love it
  5. [R146] 5/5 · US Very good: Good with messages and also calls very good
  6. [R173] 5/5 · US User friendly: Easily to use and can comunicate easily
  7. [R3] 1/5 · US Tengo problema no me deja iniciar: Menos de una estrella le daría ni me deja iniciar y no hay otro modo de iniciar sección
  8. [R7] 1/5 · US Rubbish app: To create account dose not suppose to need membership help, is not making any sense 😂 What about those people that want to join and don’t have any member close to them?
  9. [R8] 1/5 · US Sucks literally trash: I can’t even sign up I don’t anybody that uses this app I just need it for my fardriver and it’s not letting me sign up cus I have to get it scanned by someone that has the app but literally nobody has it cus this app is straight ahh
  10. [R15] 1/5 · US Automatically compromised my account: My account got auto compromised as soon as I made it, I need a friend to verify my account so I got my sister to help me unfreeze it, but it says “require a friend to verify”. How is a new account gonna have someone added? My account cannot add people, it cannot find people to friend. This made my account effectively useless.
  11. [R25] 1/5 · US WeChat accounts are being severely blocked overseas. They get blocked for no reason. Damn, WeChat is trash. · translated
  12. [R37] 3/5 · US Account Security Issues: My account has been blocked without reason many times, and they don't tell me why. Why do they keep blocking my account? Every time it's blocked, I need friends to help unblock it. But I'm currently abroad, and the only WeChat friends I can contact are my family. Everyone has a limited number of times they can help me unblock, and once those are used up, I'm stuck. I really want to know why my account is being blocked. I haven't done anything illegal. This constant blocking makes me very disappointed with this app. It's my only way to contact my family and friends in China. If even this gets blocked, I'll go crazy.. 😢 I hope you can help me solve this problem. I'm extremely grateful 🥹🥹🥹🥹 · translated
  13. [R242] 3/5 · GB quite good: I've been using WeChat to message my Chinese friends but for some reason I 'violated the rules' so now I can't message them because my account has been restricted, this isn't fair. I didn't even get told why it got restricted so I'm very disappointed in WeChat. Now I can't message them and they think I don't like them
  14. [R250] 3/5 · GB Great app but says my account is at risk of being blocked due to unauthorised software: I have never once used unauthorised software so I have no clue why it says that. Please explain developers!
  15. [R4] 2/5 · US Why add a 'mini-shop' module to the international version? Ever since the 'Wallet' module got a 'mini-shop' feature, it frequently displays product ads, even using system notifications (badges/red dots) to entice clicks. The app interface consistency is ruined, and user experience is greatly diminished! I really don't understand why WeChat would add a mini-shop feature to the international version. Does anyone abroad actually use it? Does it allow foreign card payments? Can purchases be shipped to international addresses? Can they assist with customs clearance? Is there a local service provider for delivery after customs clearance? Is there international after-sales service? What's the point of rushing to push this feature without solving these issues step by step? Even if you insist on pushing the mini-shop feature and running ads, what's with the system notifications popping up on the 'Me' tab in the bottom bar? Is it fun, product manager, I ask you! If I win a bar of soap in a lottery, can I go knock on your door with gongs? · translated
  16. [R9] 1/5 · US Updates are getting bigger and bigger, full of useless features: Mini-shop and Wallet. Many features can't be turned off. Hope for a clean version of WeChat. · translated
  17. [R17] 1/5 · US WeChat Mini-Shop has no shame: Mini-shop notifications can't be turned off, can't be hidden. For a communication app to forcibly bind shopping features is truly disgusting. The product manager who came up with this feature is seriously lacking in virtue. · translated
  18. [R20] 1/5 · US Messy and bad 👎: An app bigger than the OS. All sorts of messy features crammed in. And they can't be turned off. For example, 'Works,' 'Orders,' and 'Wallet.' · translated
  19. [R10] 1/5 · US Collects information: Collects personal information, uploads to the CCP government. · translated
  20. [R16] 1/5 · US Everyone, please refrain from using WeChat.请大家不要使用！: 大家不要用腾讯公司的任何东西，这是一个不友好的公司，在中国长期垄断，玩弄用户，号召大家抵制这个公司！ Please do not use any products from Tencent. It is an unfriendly company that has long monopolized the market in China and plays tricks on its users. I call on everyone to boycott this company! 腾讯（テンセント）の製品を一切使わないでください。この会社はユーザーに対して不親切で、中国で長年にわたり独占を続け、ユーザーを玩弄しています。皆さんにこの会社をボイコットするよう呼びかけます！ Ve
  21. [R19] 2/5 · US Disregards privacy, bad attitude: Some of Tencent's actions are unfriendly. · translated
  22. [R44] 1/5 · US Bad application: A malicious app that secretly monitors user privacy
  23. [R32] 1/5 · US A lot of trash data: You know what even if you open several times this app has almost 1gb trash data you cannot delete.
  24. [R35] 1/5 · US What the hell is this 800MB crap?: Damn. · translated
  25. [R42] 2/5 · US WeChat takes up way too much storage: WeChat takes up way too much storage on my phone! It keeps piling up cache, chat files and media nonstop. Even after clearing useless stuff, it still hogs a huge chunk of space. Super annoying!
  26. [R50] 1/5 · US Trash: Everything is incredibly laggy, and it takes up a huge amount of space, it's a complete mess. · translated
  27. [R18] 2/5 · US The latest 8075 version crashes easily: Every time I switch back from another app, there's a high chance it will log out. · translated
  28. [R41] 1/5 · US Too slow: After the update, WeChat's response has slowed down with the same internet speed! This causes WeChat Pay to be slow or impossible (e.g., using WeChat Pay from the Didi App). · translated
  29. [R374] 3/5 · GB Latest WeChat version keeps crashing: iOS 14.8.1 updated to the latest WeChat version keeps crashing. Please fix it as soon as possible. · translated
  30. [R395] 3/5 · GB Issue with answering calls since update last week: Incoming call notifications are like messages and no longer prompts full screen. You would need to unlock to answer which takes time. It’s annoying.
  31. [R483] 3/5 · CA Messages aren’t showing up?!?: Every time my friends and I try send messages to each other, most of the texts don’t show up. Like I’ll send messages to my friends and the next day I ask them why they didn’t reply they’re all like “You never sent a message?” Same for the other way around, sometimes (most of the time) if one of my friends sends something to me, it doesn’t show up, and then later whe
  32. [R542] 3/5 · CA We need notifications now!!!!!: Hi I am so angry that I always miss my friends text and it doesn’t even tells me if they text. I even feel sad when my friends don’t answer me on this app it is because we have no notifications pls fix this pls!!!!
  33. [R2] 4/5 · US How to diy messages ringtone: iOS already open much of permissions to allow people import whatever ringtone in iPhone but I found WeChat can’t obey that rule that’s terrible. I hope could have that function to follow system messages ringtone or could diy in WeChat
  34. [R21] 1/5 · US Zero effort: As the largest national app, the laziness of its development is appalling. The feature to switch to the earpiece after connecting Bluetooth and playing voice messages has never worked properly. Normally, you can re-edit and send recalled messages. I just carefully selected 30 photos out of 300, accidentally clicked the wrong button and recalled all of them, and I couldn't re-edit them. I have to find them again one by one from the 300. Is it that hard for China's leading app to get these user-friendly details right? Rotten! Lazy! · translated
  35. [R48] 2/5 · US A bug: This version (8.0.74) of WeChat has a bug. When my iPhone 17 Pro Max is paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, the reply text box in Moments becomes invisible. I can type, and pressing Enter will post the reply, but I cannot see any of the text as I type, which often results in typos. If I unpair the Bluetooth keyboard, the reply box immediately becomes visible again.
  36. [R66] 4/5 · US Moments pictures: Moments pictures need music! Get the vibe going. · translated
  37. [R34] 1/5 · US Unable to change the linked phone number, it always prompts me to try again in a day.: I want to know why I'm not allowed to change the linked phone number on WeChat? If you don't allow it, you can tell users that they can uninstall the app and stop using it. Please don't apply your Chinese laws and regulations to your global user agreement. I've never used such a shameless social media platform b
  38. [R528] 3/5 · CA Can’t restore/migrate chat: This function is just not working despite both devices are on the same network
  39. [R1] 3/5 · US Why do you need to do so much to create an account for a child?: Listen I get it! They are trying to protect children! But do we really need child locks for a teenager?😒 I’m going to China soon and I need to be able to communicate with people without having to do all this unnecessary BS! Don’t they realize that people need to be able to communicate?
  40. [R28] 2/5 · US Why does it force me to enable minor protection even after I turn it off? I'm fed up: Why, why, why? Official help me. · translated
  41. [R611] 3/5 · CA WeChat FeedBack: I know Chinese and English and so WeChat is good to use but...it's annoying how we can't spilt our screen in half or go on different apps. When we do, the person we're calling doesn't see us properly and before, I was experiencing a lot of calling glitches which I still am now. Guardian Mode is also super annoying! What's the point of Guardian Mode anyways? It's not like you would
  42. [R22] 5/5 · US Good: Very easy to use. · translated
  43. [R12] 1/5 · US If is free why they charge me 🤔: If is free why did they charge me
  44. [R238] 3/5 · GB It's not really needed . . .: there's no point in having a verification scan from someone else, and the chances of getting one is quite slim due to the criteria, why can't ppl just sign up? because not everyone has friends that use it or know ppl that use it so how are they meant to sign up? the sign up options are extremely limited, and it just seems unnecessary and unneeded in my opinion . .
  45. [R398] 3/5 · GB Spyware: Spyware, collect user data and submit to CN servers.
  46. [R53] 1/5 · US Copy app and rabbish: Copy the WhatsApp and line ,but it very wastes the chip size and eat iPhone storage

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store