WeChat (微信 or Weixin) is a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app developed by Tencent, a Chinese technology company. WeChat provides features like text messaging, hold-to-talk voice messaging, broadcast (one-to-many) messaging, video conferencing, video games, mobile payment, sharing of photographs and videos and location sharing.
As of the end of March 2023, WeChat had over 1.3 billion monthly active users.
Using WeChat with respond.io
To connect WeChat to your respond.io workspace, you must have a WeChat Official Account.
respond.io integrates with WeChat through the WeChat Official Account Platform using an authorized third-party connection method. During setup, you will log in to the WeChat Official Account Platform and grant respond.io permission to manage messages.
If you already have a WeChat Official Account, proceed to the WeChat Quick Start guide to connect your channel.
If you do not have a WeChat Official Account, you must create one before connecting.
Pricing
WeChat Official Accounts are free to create. However, an annual fee needs to be paid to verify the account. Learn more about the verification process here.
WeChat will cancel the unverified Official Account after 30 days.
Capturing Conversation
WeChat requires users to follow your account and message you first to start a conversation to prevent brands from spamming users.
WeChat has two features to get your customers to follow your account and start a conversation:
QR Codes
QR codes can be displayed in physical stores and websites or used in emails you send customers to encourage them to scan it on their WeChat mobile application to follow you and initiate a conversation. Learn how to generate a QR Code here.
In-app Searches
WeChat has a powerful search engine that allows users to search your official account in-app by the display name and keywords in your description. Users can easily follow you and start a conversation. Learn more about WeChat In-app search here.
Channel Capabilities
The capabilities of WeChat are listed below:
Supported File Types
The file types supported by WeChat and the maximum file size for each file type are as follows:
Image (10 MB)
Audio (2 MB)
Video (10 MB)
WeChat regional limitation
Sending audio and video messages via API is only supported for WeChat Official Accounts registered in Mainland China.
For international WeChat Official Accounts, only image messages can be sent through the API. Audio and video messages may not be supported due to WeChat platform restrictions.
Message Status Availability
For WeChat, the message status availability is shown in the table below:
Message Status | Availability |
|---|---|
Sent | ✅ |
Delivered | ❌ |
Read | ❌ |
Failed | ❌ |
Messaging Limits
WeChat limits how long businesses can reply to Contacts to prevent spam. WeChat Official Accounts have a 48-hour messaging window to reply to a Contact after the Contact’s last interaction.
Within this window, the number of messages a business can send depends on the Contact’s last interaction type.
If the last incoming message from the Contact is a text message, businesses can send up to 5 replies within the 48-hour session.
If the last interaction is a contact event, businesses can send up to 3 replies.
Contact events include:
Following the Official Account
Scanning a QR code
Triggering a Chat Menu interaction
The messaging window will close if 48 hours have passed since the last interaction or the message limit has been reached.
If the Contact sends another message, both the 48-hour window and the message limit will reset.
If you exceed the allowed message limit or once the 48-hour session expires, a red exclamation mark appears next to the message in respond.io, indicating that the message was not delivered.
This limitation is enforced by WeChat’s messaging API. Learn more here.
FAQ and Troubleshooting
Can I connect to a personal WeChat account?
To connect to a WeChat channel, a WeChat Official Account is required. You can create a WeChat Official Account here.
How much does a WeChat Official account cost?
WeChat Official Accounts are free to create. However, an annual fee needs to be paid to verify the account; please check the Verification process here.
Can I start a conversation with a WeChat Contact?
WeChat rules say Contacts must follow your account and message you first before you can message them back. Learn how to encourage users to start a chat here.
Can I send images to my Contacts through the WeChat channel?
Yes, but there are some restrictions for non-China WeChat Official accounts to send files over API.
Why don't I see the Contact's name when receiving messages on the WeChat channel?
This is because WeChat does not provide the contact's profile name as part of the metadata. Metadata refers to data that provides information about other data. In this case, WeChat’s metadata provides information such as the date and time of the messages, sender’s ID, etc. Learn more about WeChat’s API and metadata here.
How can I create a QR Code for my WeChat account?
Go to your WeChat Official Account Manager > Account Details
Click Download QR Code
Can I send a Broadcast through WeChat using respond.io?
No, you cannot send a broadcast due to the channel’s limitation. Upvote the feature request if you’ll like to see this feature on our platform.
Why do I get the “out of response count limit rid” error?
This error code means you’ve exceeded WeChat’s 5 messages limit within the 48-hour session. Learn more about WeChat messaging limits here.
