One of the most prominent apps nowadays is messaging apps. Before, there was a certain limit on how many characters you are allowed, but now, you can even send messages that contain videos, links, and photos. Just when people thought these types of apps couldn’t improve, WeChat gave us a new reason to think they can improve more.
If you have been in China for quite some time, you may have noticed that one person might scan their mobile phones to someone else’s mobile phone. This is what WeChat uses to easily add contact numbers in the app. It’s convenient and fast, so there’s no wonder doubt that it is the most preferred and used messaging app in the country.
In this article, we will help you through the WeChat Pay feature, and let you see how easily you can make cashless transactions with it. You don’t have to queue for a long time in the banks or anywhere else. You just have to use WeChat Pay’s cashless feature without worrying that you don’t have to count your change anymore or give the exact amount.
What is WeChat Pay
The new feature found in the WeChat messenger app is the WeChat Pay that enables all its users to make cashless payments using the app. You can choose either credit or debit any amount from by using the WeChat Pay feature. It is very easy to use, gives you a lot of benefits, and can be used anywhere in China.
From small-time street vendors to grocery stores and luxury shops, you can make any transactions and pay with WeChat Pay. You can also book a taxi, receive or send money to other users just using the app. There’s no doubt that China is operating with cashless transactions because it hardly uses any paper money. Paying has never been easier and more convenient.
How to Use the App for Foreigners
A lot of foreigners mix up the Weixin app with the WeChat app. These two apps are not similar because the Weixin app is a localized version of WeChat. Their payment features are different, and users can only access Weixin in China. On the other hand, WeChat can be downloaded and accessed anywhere on Earth.
However, WeChat Pay can only be accessed from select countries. It can be used in countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Mainland China.
Chinese SIM Card
If you’re wondering how you’re going to use the WeChat Pay feature if you’re just going to be in China for a few days, or you’re just not living in China but still want to use the feature. Well, all you would need is to acquire a Chinese SIM card for you to register on WeChat. The thing about this app is that it is specially made for Chinese people, and it only caters to China.
Once you have acquired a Chinese SIM card, just plug it in and register an account on your smartphone. You can just switch your SIM card once you are done with the registration. If you’re using an iOS device, go straight to the Apple App Store, or if you’re an Android user, just go to Google Play Store and search for “WeChat.”
How to Activate
You will see a “Wallet” feature once you have downloaded the app in China after tapping the “Me” icon located in the lower-right part of the app. If you weren’t able to download the app in China, you would have to manually activate it. You just have to tap on the “+” icon on the upper part of your screen beside the search icon. Then press on the “Money” icon that would appear next. Tap on “Enable Now,” and a notification will appear that you have to “Verify User Info.”
If you own a Chinese card, you could add a credit and debit card. For foreigners who do not own any Chinese bank cards can only use credit cards because it does not support outside debit cards. You should note that if you’re using a foreign debit card, you would have certain limitations when using the WeChat Pay feature. You can just purchase top-ups from sellers, but you cannot make transfers.
How to Load Up
The app acts as your digital debit card. You can load up your Wallet in WeChat and use it to pay for your transactions. The amount you spent will automatically be subtracted from your Wallet. Here are two ways that you can load up money on your WeChat Wallet:
- Peer-to-Peer Transfer – This option applies to people who don’t own any Chinese bank account. You can ask other people to transfer funds by using the “general transfer” feature.
- Chinese bank Transfer – This is the most convenient way of adding funds to your WeChat Pay Wallet. You can directly transfer money from your Chinese Bank account.
How to Make Transactions
WeChat has really taken a huge step in having cashless payments. One of the amazing features of this app is that it is available to foreign companies that can use it by signing up for an account. Vendors can transact from overseas with their suppliers in China. These are the three ways that you can pay with WeChat Pay:
- Quick Pay (Scanning the Seller’s QR Code) – if you’re planning on purchasing something from a vendor with the app, you can easily pay the owner by scanning their QR code, and the app will automatically transfer money to the vendor’s bank account.
- Letting the Store to Scan Your QR Code – You can let the store owner or the merchant scan your QR code on your smartphone. It is the opposite of Quick Pay.
- Online Options – You can also make transactions via web-based options.
Takeaway
China has become one of the leading countries in many aspects. They have taken their first step to having cashless transactions. Actual cash is hardly even used in the country anymore. If you’re planning to go to China, this is one of the best and easiest ways to pay with whatever you’re going to buy in Mainland China.
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