Creating a WeChat personal account is your first step into a world of seamless communication and integrated services. This guide will walk you through the process of signing up for WeChat, with a special focus on the QR code verification step. Understanding how to verify scan QR code WeChat is crucial, especially in 2025, as WeChat continues to enhance its security measures.
Before you begin your WeChat journey, it’s important to understand a key part of the security protocol. In some instances, WeChat requires a user to verify your registration. This verification process involves scanning a QR code and is designed to confirm you are a genuine user. This step typically requires assistance from an existing WeChat user who meets the following criteria:
- They must have registered for WeChat over a month ago if they are an international user, or more than six months ago if they are based in mainland China.
- They should not have assisted other users with the ‘Help Friend Register’ verification in the past 30 days.
- Their WeChat account must not have been blocked in the last month.
- If they are a user in mainland China, they should have WeChat Pay activated.
Having a WeChat user who meets these criteria ready to assist can significantly streamline your sign-up, particularly when you reach the QR code verification stage. This verification typically needs to be completed within 10 minutes of being prompted, so preparation is key.
Let’s delve into the step-by-step guide on how to sign up for WeChat and navigate the QR code verification smoothly.
1. Download the WeChat App
Your first step is to download the WeChat application. Head to either the Apple App Store if you are using an iOS device, or the Google Play Store for Android users. Simply search for “WeChat” and download the official app to your smartphone.
It’s important to note that WeChat account registration must be completed on a mobile device; computer signup is not an option.
Alt text: WeChat app icon displayed in the Apple App Store, showing the download button.
2. Initiate Sign Up in the WeChat App
Once the app is downloaded, open WeChat and tap on the ‘Sign Up’ option.
Alt text: WeChat welcome screen with prominent ‘Sign Up’ and ‘Log In’ buttons.
Upon selecting ‘Sign Up’, you will be presented with different options depending on your device. Generally, you’ll see ‘Sign up with Mobile’. iPhone users may also have the option to “Sign up with Apple.” While some might consider using Facebook or Apple to sign up, choosing ‘Sign up with Mobile’ is generally recommended for a more straightforward process. Even with other signup methods, you will likely still need to provide your mobile number.
Alt text: WeChat sign-up screen offering options to sign up via mobile, Facebook, and Apple.
3. Enter Your Personal Details
In this step, you’ll need to fill in your personal information. This includes your full name, your region (which may be pre-filled based on your location), your mobile phone number, and your desired password. All these fields are mandatory to proceed with the registration.
Remember, each mobile phone number can only be linked to a single WeChat account.
You’ll also see an option to add a profile picture at this stage. While you can personalize your profile now, it’s not required to complete the initial signup.
After filling in the necessary details, tick the checkbox next to ‘I have read and accept the Terms of Service’, and then click ‘Accept and Continue.’
Alt text: WeChat signup form prompting users to enter name, region, phone number, and password.
4. Agree to WeChat’s Privacy Policy
Next, you will be presented with WeChat’s Privacy Protection Summary. While it’s not mandatory to read every word before proceeding, it’s advisable to at least glance through it to understand WeChat’s data handling practices.
To continue, check the box next to ‘I have read and agree to the above terms’, and then click ‘Next’.
Alt text: WeChat Privacy Policy screen with a checkbox to agree to the terms and a ‘Next’ button.
5. Complete Initial Security Verification
WeChat employs a multi-part security verification to ensure that new users are genuine and not automated bots. The first part of this process starts by clicking ‘Authenticate’.
Alt text: WeChat security verification prompt with an ‘Authenticate’ button.
The initial security check is typically a simple puzzle. You will need to drag a slider to fit a puzzle piece into the designated area within an image. It’s important to complete this action promptly, as the time taken is one of the factors WeChat uses to verify human interaction.
Alt text: WeChat image-based security verification puzzle requiring users to drag a slider to complete an image.
6. Verify Your Mobile Phone Number
Following the initial puzzle, you’ll need to verify your mobile phone number. WeChat will automatically send an SMS to the number you provided. This SMS contains a 6-digit verification code. Enter this code into the app and select ‘Submit’.
Alt text: WeChat screen prompting for a mobile verification code sent via SMS.
7. Verify Your Email Address
Next, WeChat might ask you to verify your email address. Enter your email, and WeChat will send a verification email to your inbox. Open your email, find the verification email from WeChat, and click the verification link, typically labeled “OK”. After verifying via email, return to the WeChat app and tap “I Have Completed Verification” to proceed.
Alt text: WeChat screen requesting email verification.
Alt text: Example of a WeChat verification email in an inbox.
Alt text: WeChat app screen with a button confirming email verification completion.
8. QR Code Verification – Scan QR Code WeChat
This is often considered the most crucial and sometimes challenging step in the WeChat signup process – the QR code verification. As highlighted earlier, some users will be required to have an existing WeChat user verify their account by scanning a QR code. This is where understanding how to verify scan QR code WeChat becomes essential.
If you are prompted for QR code verification, a QR code will be displayed on your screen. This is where having a prepared WeChat user is invaluable. Ask your assisting WeChat user to use their WeChat app to scan the QR code displayed on your phone screen within the given timeframe.
Alt text: WeChat screen displaying a QR code for verification, instructing users to have it scanned by another WeChat user.
Once the QR code is successfully scanned by the assisting user, and if all criteria are met, your account verification will be complete.
9. Choose Weixin Services
After successful verification, you’ll be asked to select which Weixin services you wish to enable within WeChat. Weixin services offer access to features like:
- Channels: WeChat’s short-form video platform, similar to TikTok or Douyin.
- Top Stories: A curated feed of articles and videos recommended by WeChat’s algorithm.
- Search: WeChat’s built-in search engine for exploring content within the WeChat ecosystem.
- Mini Programs and games: Lightweight applications within WeChat providing various services and content, such as e-commerce stores, without needing separate downloads.
Toggle the options based on your preferences and click ‘done’.
Alt text: WeChat screen allowing users to enable or disable various Weixin services like Channels, Top Stories, Search, and Mini Programs.
Upon completing these steps, you will be directed to your WeChat ‘Chats’ screen. You should see a welcome message from WeChat, confirming your successful account setup.
Alt text: WeChat ‘Chats’ screen displaying a welcome message after successful signup.
Congratulations! You have now successfully signed up for a WeChat personal account. You can start connecting with friends, explore WeChat’s features, and enjoy the integrated services it offers.
