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WeChat User Guide - How to Install the App and Register an Account

How to Install the App and Register an Account

Contents

Installing on Windows

1. Open the official WeChat download page below.

Open the Download PageThis will open the official site pc.weixin.qq.com

2. Click the green download button in the center of the page (labeled "下载 4.1.12 (64位)" or "Download"). This starts the download of the installer file (such as WeChatWin_4.1.12.exe, about 240MB). Because the file is large, the download may take a few minutes.

* This page is displayed in Chinese, but there's only one button to click. The small text link below the button (32-bit version) is an older version, so you normally don't need to click it.

3. Double-click the installer file you downloaded.

4. When the installation screen appears, review the terms of use and tap "Install." If you'd like to change the install location, you can do so via "Custom Install."

5. Once installation finishes, WeChat will launch and show a QR code login screen. If this is your first time using it, continue on to account registration.

Click here for how to register an account

If a Small File Called "微信 Installer.exe" Is Downloaded WeChat can also be installed via the Microsoft Store. This method downloads a small file called "微信 Installer.exe" (about 1.4MB), but this isn't WeChat itself—it's a relay program that launches the Microsoft Store.

Depending on the state of the Microsoft Store on your computer, double-clicking this file may simply close without displaying anything. Running it as administrator or restarting your computer won't fix this.

If so, please try downloading the larger installer file (about 240MB) from the official download page above (pc.weixin.qq.com). This installs directly without using the Microsoft Store.

* If the file is around 240MB, it's the actual installer. If it's small, around 1–2MB, it's the relay program, so please download it again from the official download page above.

Installing on Mac

1. Open the official WeChat download page below.

Open the Download PageThis will open the official site mac.weixin.qq.com

2. Click the download button to download the installer file (a file with the .dmg extension).

3. Open the downloaded file and drag the WeChat icon into the "Applications" folder. This completes the installation.

4. Launch WeChat from the Applications folder, then continue on to account registration.

* Supports macOS 12 (Monterey) and later. If you're using an older version of macOS, please try the older version available from the App Store.

Click here for how to register an account

Installing on iPhone/iPad

1. Open the App Store, search for "WeChat," and install (Get) it.

Open the App StoreOpens the WeChat page in the App Store

2. Once installation is finished, tap "Open" to launch the app, then continue on to account registration.

Click here for how to register an account

Installing on Android

1. Open the Google Play Store, search for "WeChat," and install it.

Open Google PlayOpens the WeChat page on Google Play

2. Once installation is finished, tap "Open" to launch the app, then continue on to account registration.

* If you're using a device such as a Chromebook where WeChat can't be installed from Google Play, please select "VooV Meeting" or "NetChai Meeting" as your lesson tool when booking.

How to Register an Account (Common Steps)

Please register your account from a smartphone. Registering a WeChat account requires a mobile phone number.

* The desktop version of WeChat works by logging in via QR code to an account you registered on your smartphone. You can't create a new account using only a computer, so please register on your smartphone first.

1. Launch the WeChat app and tap "Sign Up."

2. Enter your name (display name), country/region (Japan), mobile phone number, and password, then proceed.

* We recommend setting the name shown in WeChat to your NetChai username (the name you use to log in), so your tutor can easily tell who you are. You don't need to register your real name.

3. A verification code will be sent by SMS to the mobile phone number you entered. Enter the code you receive.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete verification, and your account registration is done.

If You're Asked for "Verification by a Friend" During Registration To prevent fraudulent use, WeChat may require "friend verification" during sign-up, where you ask someone who already uses WeChat to help verify you.

If so, please ask a family member or friend who uses WeChat to help verify you by following the on-screen instructions. The person helping you will need to perform certain steps in their own WeChat.

* If you don't know anyone nearby who uses WeChat, taking lessons via WeChat may be difficult. In that case, please use "VooV Meeting" or "NetChai Meeting" as your lesson tool.

Once you've finished registering your account, proceed to set up your WeChat ID.

How to Set the Display Language to Japanese

WeChat supports Japanese display, and it will normally display automatically in Japanese to match your smartphone's or computer's language settings.

If it's displayed in English or Chinese, tap "Me" at the bottom right of the screen, then go to "Settings" → "General" → "Language" and select "Japanese." After selecting it, relaunch WeChat once to switch to Japanese display.

Once you've finished installing the app and registering your account, proceed to set up your WeChat ID and register it with NetChai.

See how to set your WeChat ID and register it with NetChai here

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