Whether you're a local navigating multilingual group chats or an expat constantly having to explain who you are in friend requests, WeChat’s latest update just made socializing a whole lot smoother and a little more fun.
Released in early July, WeChat v8.0.61 quietly rolled out some game-changing features that hit just the right balance between practical and playful.
We tried them out—here’s what you should know.
Add Me with a Business Card, Selfie, or Pizza Pic
Let’s face it: sending a friend request with only one line of text has always been awkward.
Did they remember your name from that mixer?
Was it that kind of networking event?
With the new update, you can now attach one image when adding someone, such as a business card, event photo, selfie, or even a screenshot of your last conversation.
It’s a small change, but it helps people place you immediately, especially in large WeChat groups or after cross-cultural meetups.
Image by Rachel/That's
How: Go to 'Add Contact,' type your verification message, and hit 'Add Image.'
Pro Tip: A well-lit name badge or a smiley selfie goes a long way. Pizza is optional, but always welcomed.
Moments Comments Just Got a Glow-Up
Text is cool.
But now, you can reply to a friend’s Moments post with a photo from your gallery or your favourite saved emoji sticker, the kind that says “I’m laughing... but also crying a little.”
This turns WeChat’s main social feed into something much more expressive, especially helpful if you’re bridging language gaps or just want to reply with that perfect reaction meme.
Image by Rachel/That's
How: Tap 'Comment' on a Moments post → tap the camera icon or emoji icon → choose an image or sticker.
Use Case: That friend who just posted a sunrise hike? Reply with a sweaty selfie from your elevator.
No More Notification Madness in Moments
Ever liked someone’s post... and then got 30 notifications because everyone else started liking it too?
We feel you.
You can now turn on a setting that means you’ll only be alerted when someone replies to your comment or likes/comments on a post you’ve already interacted with.
In short, you’ll still see all the action when you check Moments, but your phone won’t be buzzing every five seconds.
Image by Rachel/That's
How: Settings → Moments → Message List → tap “…” → turn on 'Only Notify Me About My Interactions.'
Result: Your phone stays quiet. Your social life doesn’t.
Pair These with Instant Translation Equals Cross-Cultural Magic
Already built into WeChat are some lesser-known but super useful features for international users:
Auto-translate chat messages (Settings → General → Translation)
Translate text from images (long-press photos in chats)
Scan street signs or menus in real time (Scan → Translate)
Transcribe and translate voice messages (especially great in multilingual groups)
Put together, these tools—plus the new update—make WeChat one of the most globalized, non-cringe platforms for real-time connection when you’re switching between English, Mandarin, and everything in between on a daily basis.
WeChat might not always make a big song and dance about its updates, but this one’s worth noticing. It’s clear Tencent is quietly fine-tuning how we connect across language and culture.
One sticker, one selfie, one filtered notification at a time will make a whole lot of difference in our daily communications.
Now go update your app, snap a better profile pic, and start adding people like a pro.
Have you tried the new WeChat features? Screenshot your favorite and tag us on Channels @thatsGBA!
[Cover image via Pixabay]
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