WeChat has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 1 billion monthly active users.

Originally created for the Chinese market, it has expanded internationally and is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family in China.

A free WeChat account gives you access to the app’s core messaging features. But having an official account allows you to unlock other capabilities like WeChat Pay, a social timeline, and more.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to sign up for a free WeChat ID and password as an international user.

I’ve tested multiple methods myself, and will share tips from my experience registering accounts as an Indonesian living abroad.

Why Get a Free WeChat Account?

Here are some of the key reasons you may want to create a free WeChat account:

Chat with connections in China – WeChat is the dominant messaging app in China. Having an account makes it easy to stay in contact with people while they are in China.
Experience popular China features – WeChat comes packed with additional features beyond just messaging, like WeChat Pay for mobile payments, Moments for photo sharing, and mini-programs that are ubiquitous in China. A free account lets you test these out.
Open access to Chinese internet – Many apps and websites in China require WeChat for quick login or account verification. A WeChat account can help open access.
Traveling to China – Having WeChat already installed before your trip makes it much easier to communicate, order taxis, pay for things etc.

I’d recommend getting an account at least a month before any upcoming trips to give time to connect with locals and get set up.

Steps to Create a Free WeChat Account

Now let’s dive into the step-by-step process to register your own free WeChat ID and password…

The first key step is getting a phone number to verify your account during sign up. Let’s look at your options:

Get a Phone Number for Verification

WeChat requires a phone number verification when creating a new account. This helps cut down on spam accounts.

You have a few options to get a number that will work:

Use your own number – If you already have an international coverage plan, you can receive SMS messages from China. Just use your regular number to verify your WeChat ID.
Virtual phone number app – A free app like TextNow can provide a virtual number and SMS capabilities. This should work for receiving the WeChat verification code.
Purchase a Chinese number – For $5-10 you can buy a Chinese phone number optimized for receiving verification texts. This is the most reliable route. I recommend [CompanyName] based on personal experience.

The main issue is that many virtual numbers don’t work anymore for WeChat due to crackdowns on spam. But a dedicated Chinese number specifically set up to receive verification codes will do the trick.

Download the WeChat App

Now it’s time to actually download the WeChat app to your phone or device:

iOS – Download from the App Store. Tap “Get” and install like any other iPhone app. (Get HERE)
Android – Go to the Play Store and search for WeChat. Tap “Install” to download it. (Get Here)

The app is free and the process is quick and easy. WeChat supports English and many other languages, so you can use it comfortably as a non-Chinese speaker.

Register for a New Account

Once installed, open up WeChat and tap to register for a new account. It will first ask for your country code and phone number.

Enter the number you verified in the first step above. WeChat will automatically detect the country code based on your IP address but double check it’s correct.

Then tap Next and you’ll receive a 6-digit verification code via text message. Input the code and hit Next to move forward.

Now it’s time to create your WeChat ID (username) and password:

ID – This is like your handle. Pick something unique – it can be changed once for free later.
Password – Make it reasonably secure with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.

After entering your desired ID and password, accept the Terms of Service and tap Next.

Verify Your Account

After entering your profile info, there are a few more steps to fully verify your new WeChat account:

Email Verification – Check your email inbox for a verification link from WeChat and click to confirm your email. This adds another layer of security.
Profile Verification – Upload a profile photo and enter additional info like current city, company, education etc. The more complete it is, the better.
Add Contacts – WeChat may ask you to add some contacts right away. You can skip this or connect with existing friends already using WeChat.

Once you’ve gone through email and profile verification, your WeChat account is ready to use!

The sign up process seems lengthy but should only take about 5-10 minutes in total. Taking the time to fully verify and fill out your profile helps avoid any restrictions or blocks on free accounts.

Tips for Using Your Free WeChat Account

You now have a fully registered WeChat account ready to use! Here are some tips to help you get started:

Add friends – Start connecting with your friends, family, co-workers and others you know who use WeChat. You can search by WeChat ID or phone numbers.
Explore Moments – This is WeChat’s social feed like Facebook. Post photos, videos and updates here for your connections to see.
Join group chats – You can create group chats for up to 500 people. Great for teams, family groups, online communities and more.
Make video/voice calls – Chat face-to-face over video call. Or make calls to regular phone numbers too.
Personalize your profile – Add a profile photo, customize your background wallpaper, and fill in details like your job, education and location.
Enable privacy settings – Adjust your visibility and data sharing preferences in Settings. Keep your account secure.
Try WeChat Pay – Link a debit card to send money, pay bills, and make purchases through the app.
Test out mini programs – These “apps within the app” let you do everything from order food to book vacations.

Take some time to poke around the various sections and features within WeChat. There’s a ton you can do for free!

Troubleshooting Problems with a Free Account

When using a free WeChat account, you may run into certain restrictions or issues from time to time. Here are some potential problems and solutions:

Account blocked during sign up – This usually happens if you enter incorrect profile details or an invalid phone number. Try again with accurate info.
Verification code not received – Make sure your phone has signal and can receive texts. Check the number entered is correct. Or get a new Chinese number.
Limited functionality – Free accounts have some restrictions. Upgrade to a subscription for full access to features.
Can’t access website/app in China – Some block overseas IP addresses. Use a VPN service to access within China.
Account locked suddenly – This occurs if WeChat detects suspicious activity. Appeal the block and strengthen your account security.
Push notifications not working – Check notification settings are enabled for WeChat. Or reinstall the app.

With over 1 billion users, WeChat has to balance allowing free accounts while limiting spam and abuse. But most limitations can be overcome with some persistence and by keeping your account in good standing.

Conclusion

Getting a free WeChat ID and password is straightforward once you know the steps:

Obtain a phone number that can verify accounts
Download WeChat and register for an account
Complete email and profile verification
Start chatting and exploring popular features

The sign up process takes just a few minutes if you have the right verification number.

A free WeChat account opens up messaging with China-based friends and lets you access the app’s social features. You can even try services like WeChat Pay for free.

Just be sure to keep your account secure by enabling privacy settings and avoiding suspicious third-party promotion services. Your account could get blocked.

With an optimized free WeChat profile, you can communicate with contacts in China and experience the country’s top social app!