WeChat - Getting Started Guide

How to connect WeChat to Beeper

TL;DR: Connect WeChat by scanning a QR code with the WeChat app on your phone and approving the login, and your WeChat chats will appear alongside everything else in Beeper.

Overview

Once WeChat is connected, your WeChat conversations arrive in Beeper like any other chat. You can send and receive messages, photos, videos, voice messages, files and stickers, reply to messages, use mentions, and take part in group chats.

Your phone stays part of the setup. Beeper connects to WeChat by linking to the account on your phone as a secondary device, in much the same way WeChat for Windows or Mac does.

Before you start

You will need the WeChat app installed and signed in on your phone. Beeper can't create a new WeChat account or sign in with an SMS code; it links to the account you already have.
You can connect WeChat either as an on-device connection or through Beeper Cloud. If you would like to understand what that choice changes, our guide on Beeper on device vs Beeper Cloud walks through what goes to Beeper's servers in each case. The section On-device vs Beeper Cloud for WeChat below covers what's specific to WeChat.
WeChat treats Beeper like a computer login. If you're signed in to WeChat for Windows or Mac, connecting Beeper may sign that session out (and signing in there later may sign Beeper out).

How to connect WeChat

Beeper Desktop

Beeper Desktop:

Open your Beeper app and go to Settings > Accounts > Add an Account > WeChat.
Choose Beeper Cloud or On-device when asked.
A QR code should appear. Keep this window open.
On your phone, open WeChat and tap the + icon on the top right of the Chats screen, then tap Scan.
Scan the QR code you see in Beeper.
WeChat will ask you to confirm the login on your phone. Important: Make sure the option to import recent chat history from this phone is selected, then tap Log In.
Wait while your chats sync. Your existing WeChat conversations will start appearing in Beeper.

Beeper Android

Beeper Android:

Open your Beeper app and go to Settings > Chat Accounts > Add an Account > WeChat.
Choose Beeper Cloud or On-device when asked.
Beeper will show you a link, since you can't scan a QR code that's on the same phone. Copy it and open it on another device (a computer or tablet) to display the QR code. We'll also email you this link, so you can just open it from your inbox on the other device instead of copying it.
On your phone, open WeChat and tap the + icon on the top right of the Chats screen, then tap Scan.
Scan the QR code shown on your other device.
WeChat will ask you to confirm the login on your phone. Make sure the option to import recent chat history from this phone is selected, then tap Log In.
Return to Beeper and wait while your chats sync. You can leave the Beeper app while you scan; setup continues for a few minutes, but if it times out, just start again.

Beeper iOS

Beeper iOS:

Open your Beeper app and go to Settings > Accounts > Add an Account > WeChat.
Choose Beeper Cloud or On-device when asked.
Beeper will show you a link, since you can't scan a QR code that's on the same phone. Copy it and open it on another device (a computer or tablet) to display the QR code. We'll also email you this link, so you can just open it from your inbox on the other device instead of copying it.
On your phone, open WeChat and tap the + icon on the top right of the Chats screen, then tap Scan.
Scan the QR code shown on your other device.
WeChat will ask you to confirm the login on your phone. Make sure the option to import recent chat history from this phone is selected, then tap Log In.
Return to Beeper and wait while your chats sync. You can leave the Beeper app while you scan; setup continues for a few minutes, but if it times out, just start again.

If the QR code does not work

A QR code is only valid for a short time. Beeper refreshes it automatically while the screen is open, but if yours has been on screen a while, close the screen and reopen it to generate a fresh one.

If a scan does not complete, or you reject the login on your phone, you can start again straight away and your existing connections will stay connected. Cancelling a part-finished login will not disturb anything you already have set up.

On-device vs Beeper Cloud for WeChat

Compare side by side Help me choose

On-device Beeper Cloud Tap a row to expand

Where the connection runs

On-deviceOn the device where you set it up. Your messages don't go through Beeper's servers.

Beeper CloudOn Beeper's servers.

Using WeChat on more than one Beeper app

On-deviceOne Beeper app at a time. The connection only lives on that device, and connecting on a second device may sign out the first.

Beeper CloudSet up once and your WeChat chats are available on all your Beeper devices.

Want WeChat on both Beeper Desktop and Beeper Mobile? You must use Beeper Cloud.

When messages arrive

On-deviceBeeper has to wake up on your device to fetch new messages.

Beeper CloudMessages keep arriving even when none of your devices are open.

Notifications

On-deviceAndroid: works, Beeper wakes up to fetch new messages.
iPhone: new messages may only appear once you open Beeper.

Beeper CloudDelivered through Beeper's servers, like your other cloud chats, on every platform.

WeChat computer login

On-deviceEach on-device connection counts as its own WeChat computer login.

Beeper CloudOne connection serves all your Beeper devices.

Either way, connecting Beeper may sign out WeChat for Windows or Mac, and signing in there later may disconnect Beeper. WeChat on your phone always stays signed in.

Setup steps Same for both

BothChoose Beeper Cloud or On-device when asked, scan the QR code with WeChat on your phone, approve the login and import recent chat history. You still need the WeChat app installed and signed in on your phone.

Features and limitations Same for both

BothMessages, media, stickers, replies, mentions, groups and read status work the same way. Calls, friend requests, Moments, payments and the other items under What is not available yet are unavailable in both.

If WeChat disconnects Same for both

BothGo to Settings > Accounts, reconnect WeChat and scan the new QR code with the same WeChat account. Your existing chats in Beeper are kept.
With an on-device connection, reconnect on the device where WeChat was set up.

What matters most to you?

I want WeChat on Beeper Desktop and my phone I use Beeper on an iPhone and want new messages without opening the app I want messages to arrive even when my devices are off or closed I'd rather my WeChat messages not go through Beeper's servers I only use WeChat on one Beeper app

Use Beeper CloudAn on-device WeChat connection can only be on one Beeper app at a time. Beeper Cloud is required to use the same WeChat account on Desktop and Mobile.

Use Beeper CloudOn iPhone, new on-device WeChat messages may only appear once you open Beeper. With Beeper Cloud, they're delivered through Beeper's servers like your other cloud chats.

Use Beeper CloudThe connection runs on Beeper's servers, so messages keep arriving even when none of your devices are open.

Use On-deviceThe connection runs on the device where you set it up, and your messages don't go through Beeper's servers. Keep in mind it only works on that one Beeper app.

Either worksOn-device is fine for a single Beeper app. Beeper Cloud also works: just hide WeChat from the Inbox on your other Beeper apps.

Not sure? You can choose when you add the account, and the setup steps are identical.

What you can do with WeChat in Beeper

Send and receive messages, photos, videos, voice messages, files and GIFs.
Send and receive stickers, including animated ones.
Reply to specific messages, and mention people in group chats.
See typing indicators in one-on-one chats.
Keep read status in sync: reading a chat in Beeper marks it as read in WeChat.
Create group chats, add or remove members, and leave groups. If a group requires the owner's approval to join, people you add will show as invited until the owner approves.
See group name changes and profile name and photo updates.
Receive shared contacts, locations, link previews and forwarded messages.
See when someone recalls a message in WeChat: it shows as deleted in Beeper.
Use your WeChat File Transfer chat to move files between Beeper and your phone.
Import recent chat history from your phone when you connect.

What WeChat doesn't offer

Some features you may know from other networks don't exist in WeChat itself, so they aren't available in Beeper either:

Emoji reactions to messages.
Editing sent messages.
Text formatting such as bold, italics, strikethrough, code or bullet lists.

What is not available yet

Chat history is limited to what your phone sends when you approve the login. How far back it reaches can vary, and some older photos, videos or voice messages may not come through.
Calls are not supported. You can't make or answer WeChat voice or video calls in Beeper.
Friend requests can't be seen, accepted or declined in Beeper.
Captions attached to photos you receive may not appear.
Joining a group from a group QR code or invitation link is not available.
Live location sharing is not available.
Deleting a conversation in Beeper or in WeChat doesn't sync to the other side.
Online status is not shown.
Official Accounts, Mini Programs, Channels, Moments, and payments, transfers or red packets are not supported.
Muting and pinning are Beeper settings. Changes you make in Beeper stay in Beeper; a chat that's muted in WeChat comes in muted when it first appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the WeChat app on my phone to use WeChat in Beeper?
Yes. You need the WeChat app installed and signed in on your phone. Beeper connects by linking to the account on your phone, much like WeChat for Windows or Mac does, and you'll scan a QR code and approve the login from the WeChat app.
Where do I find the QR scanner in WeChat?
Open WeChat, tap the + icon on the top right of the Chats screen, then tap Scan.
I'm setting up Beeper on my phone. How do I scan a QR code that's on the same device?
On Beeper iOS or Android, Beeper shows you a link instead. Copy it and open it on another device, then scan the QR code from that device with WeChat. We also email you the link, so you can just open it on your other device.
Should I connect WeChat on-device or through Beeper Cloud?
Both use the same setup. Beeper Cloud lets you set up once and use WeChat on all your devices, while on-device keeps the connection on that one device. Our guide on Beeper on device vs Beeper Cloud explains what goes to Beeper's servers with each option.
Will connecting Beeper sign me out of WeChat on my computer?
It can. WeChat treats Beeper like a computer login, so connecting Beeper may sign out WeChat for Windows or Mac, and signing in there later may disconnect Beeper. WeChat on your phone always stays signed in.
WeChat disconnected in Beeper. What should I do?
Go to Settings > Accounts, reconnect WeChat and scan the new QR code with the same WeChat account. Your existing chats and messages in Beeper are kept.
My QR code isn't working. What should I do?
QR codes are only valid for a short time. If yours has been on screen for a while, close the screen and reopen it to get a fresh one.
Will restarting a failed connection affect my other accounts?
No. You can start again right away. Your existing connections stay connected, and cancelling a half-finished login won't disturb anything you've already set up.
What does the chat history option on my phone mean?
When you approve the login, WeChat asks whether to import recent chat history from your phone. Leave it selected so your recent conversations show up in Beeper. If you turn it off, only new messages will come through.
Why don't I see all of my older WeChat chats or media?
Chat history comes from your phone when you approve the login, and it's limited. How far back it goes can vary, and some older photos, videos or voice messages may not come through.
Can I react to or edit WeChat messages in Beeper?
No. WeChat doesn't have emoji reactions or message editing, so these aren't available for WeChat chats in Beeper.
Can I make or answer WeChat calls in Beeper?
No. Calls aren't supported, so you'll need to use the WeChat app to make or answer calls.
Can I accept friend requests in Beeper?
Not yet. Use the WeChat app on your phone to accept or decline friend requests. Once you're connected, chats with your new contact will show up in Beeper.
Do group chats work?
Yes. You can send and receive messages, replies, mentions and media in groups, create new groups, add or remove members and leave groups. Joining a group from a QR code or invitation link isn't available yet.
Do Official Accounts, Mini Programs, Moments or WeChat Pay work?
No. These aren't supported in Beeper. Use the WeChat app for them.

☎️ Still having issues?

If WeChat will not connect or your chats are not syncing as you expect, contact us at help@beeper.com, or use Report a Problem in Beeper so we get your logs with the bug report.