Gray
Question about WeChat

I recently contacted an Italki teacher who only uses WeChat.  I was going to download the software and try it out, but when I looked into it, the information I found seemed to imply that although there is a PC "version" of WeChat, this version has no video call option. 

It sounds like the PC version can do text chats, but the video call option is only available on the phone app.  Does anybody know if this is correct?  I don't want to sign up for WeChat if it will only do video calls by phone.

May 19, 2019 3:32 PM
Comments · 9
2

Hi, Gray! Assuming you're referring to the Windows version, this is not true. You can definitely video chat using the Windows version. The video chat icon is right beside the phone icon in the chat box.

There are a few shortcomings on the Windows version though. First, in order to log in to the Windows version, we have to use our phones every time to scan our QR codes or confirm our logins. Second, some messages that can appear on the phone can't appear on the Windows version (although I suspect this may be a bug in the most recent release, as this was never a problem for me until recently).

I hope this helps!

May 19, 2019
1
I had no idea there were teachers here who didn’t use Skype — especially considering how many Cantonese speakers live outside the mainland. You’re welcome to check out my teachers list. Near the top, you’ll find four good, very inexpensive Cantonese teachers with smooth Skype connections. Every student is different, so you may be looking for something else, but if you’d like, you could always contact them and see what they have to offer you. Two are on the mainland, but two are not (and thus have access to YouTube, Google Docs, etc.).

May 19, 2019
1
I’d suggest that you do a search on “Wechat” and “malware”. You’ll find articles about a huge 2015 incident. For example, this headline in the SCMP:

WeChat among China-linked apps infected with malware after first large-scale attack on Apple's App Store
May 19, 2019
1
I had wechat briefly to work with Chinese students who did not have Skype. I removed it after a few awful sessions.  I hope you have better luck.
May 19, 2019
1
Thank you, Mr. Zhang!  Yes, that's very helpful.  I'm glad to hear that there's a video option, even if it has some flaws.  I'll check it out.
May 19, 2019
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Gray
Language Skills
Chinese (Cantonese), English
Learning Language
Chinese (Cantonese)
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