Top Messaging Apps That Actually Work in China

Key Highlights

• Discover the best messaging apps that work well in mainland China, getting around the Great Firewall.
• Learn about popular apps like WeChat and QQ. These are preferred by Chinese users because of their unique features.
• Understand why VPNs are key for accessing western social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in China.
• Find out which communication tools are preferred by businesses in China for smooth communication.
• Get ideas on why specific apps are blocked and learn simple tips for staying connected while in China.

China’s internet is heavily regulated by the “Great Firewall,” which blocks many Western messaging and social media apps. Major platforms like Facebook (and its Messenger) and Google services are banned in mainland China​. WhatsApp and similar encrypted apps have also been censored (WhatsApp was blocked around 2017). In practice, foreigners in China rely on Chinese chat apps or VPNs. In fact, any list of “top 10 China chatting app” always puts WeChat at #1, followed by a few homegrown services.

For example, WeChat alone has over 1.2 billion active users​, making it by far China’s most popular and best app for chatting. QQ and DingTalk are also widely used. Below we cover the main China-based messaging apps and explain which Western apps work (or don’t) in China.

Popular Messaging Apps Effective in China

For anyone who wants simple communication in China, it’s best to use apps created there. These apps are popular with Chinese users. They work well without needing a VPN.

Here are three popular messaging apps in China. They offer more than just simple messaging. Many users really enjoy using them:

1. WeChat (微信): More Than Just Messaging

Tencent’s all-in-one “super app” dominates China’s chat market. It supports text/voice messages, group chats, video calls, payments, mini-programs (games, shopping, food delivery, taxi booking, etc.), and more. WeChat has about 1.2 billion active users​, so it’s by far China’s most popular chat app. It’s generally the best app for chatting in China because nearly everyone uses it.

WeChat is the top app for social media and communication in China, leveraging AI technology to enhance user experience. Tencent made it, and it has more than a billion Chinese users every month. With WeChat, you can send text and voice messages, share photos and videos, and chat in groups easily.

WeChat is not just a messaging app. You can use it to shop online, order food, book appointments, and even get a taxi. This app is useful and fits easily into daily life. This is why many people in China find it essential.

2. QQ: Connecting Through Diverse Features

Many people use WeChat, but Tencent’s QQ still has many fans, especially young users. QQ began as a messaging app. Now, it has become a fun platform with many features.

Also by Tencent, QQ is an older instant-messaging platform still popular with young users. In 2023 QQ had roughly 597 million monthly active accounts​. QQ offers text/voice chat, video calls, file sharing, online games, and virtual avatars (QQ Show). Though many QQ users now also use WeChat, QQ remains a major Chinese messaging app.

Users can make video calls and share files easily. There are also features for online gaming and choosing virtual avatars. QQ meets a lot of different interests. In addition, it has QQ Show, which allows people to share blogs, photos, and diaries. This shows how QQ keeps up with new trends in social media.

3. DingTalk (钉钉): The Business Communication Solution

DingTalk is an app made by the Alibaba Group. It has become the top platform for businesses to communicate in China. DingTalk provides a secure way for companies to connect with their employees, partners, and clients all over the country.

The app has several tools that make work simpler. It offers instant messaging, group chats, video calls, task management, and file sharing. The helpful features of DingTalk have turned it into a must-have app for businesses in China and for those working with Chinese companies.

4. Momo (陌陌)

A location-based social app (sometimes called China’s Tinder), Momo has over 100 million users and ~60 million monthly actives. It lets people send free text, voice, pictures, and locations to others nearby, join group chats, or watch live streams. While it’s primarily a social/dating platform, Momo includes rich chat features, making it one of China’s bigger messaging apps.

5. Others

There are various other China-made chat apps. ByteDance’s Feishu (Lark) is a team collaboration app growing among businesses. Alibaba also has AliWangWang (chat for e-commerce), and Tencent Meeting (VooV) for video conferencing. Local social networks like Weibo (microblog) or Douyin (short video) have messaging features, but the apps above are the main messaging-focused ones.

Which International Chat Apps Work in China?

Most international messaging apps are blocked under China’s censorship rules. For example, Facebook (and its Messenger) have been banned in China since 2009. Likewise, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Line, KakaoTalk and others are inaccessible without a VPN​. In short, does Messenger work in China? – No. Facebook’s platforms are off-limits to regular connections in mainland China.

• WhatsApp: You cannot use WhatsApp in China (without a VPN). It was effectively blocked around 2017 due to its strong end-to-end encryption​.
• Facebook/Messenger: Both Facebook and Messenger are blocked by the Great Firewall​.
• Telegram/Signal/LINE/Kakao: All major privacy-focused apps (Telegram, Signal, etc.) are also blocked​.
• Skype (Teams): Microsoft’s Skype is in a gray area. It “sometimes works” but is unreliable in China​. (Newer Microsoft Teams can often be used in corporate environments, but may be throttled.)
• Google Services: Google Chat, Hangouts/Meet, Gmail, etc., are all blocked (Google is generally banned)​.
• Apple iMessage/FaceTime: These are exceptions. Apple has negotiated to keep iMessage and FaceTime operational in China. Many expats report that iMessage still works (and can send messages or calls to other iPhones) without a VPN, because Apple uses Chinese servers. In practice, iMessage generally functions in China (with variable reliability)​.

In summary, which chat apps work in China? 

Only the Chinese apps listed above (WeChat, QQ, DingTalk, Momo, etc.) plus a few global exceptions like iMessage. Most Western apps (WhatsApp, Facebook/Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) will not work unless you use a VPN.

Best China App for Chatting

By far, WeChat is the best app to use for chatting in China. It’s considered the default communication platform for almost all Chinese residents. WeChat’s features, user base, and integration into daily life (from chat to payments to government services) make it essential. QQ is the second-largest Chinese chat app, and DingTalk is excellent for business/team chats. But if you ask “what’s the best chat app in China?” or “China’s most popular chat app?” – the answer is unequivocally WeChat​.

Video Calling and Conferencing in China

For video calls and online meetings, Chinese apps again lead:

• WeChat/QQ Video: Both support one-on-one or group video calling. They work reliably within China’s networks.
• DingTalk: Built-in HD video conferencing for up to hundreds of participants​.
• Tencent Meeting (VooV Meeting): A Zoom-like service by Tencent, with over 10 million daily users in China in early 2020​ (and likely much more now). It’s widely used for business and education.
• Zoom/Google Meet: These do not work by default. Zoom is “completely inaccessible in China” without a VPN​. Google Meet is blocked along with all Google services.
• Skype(Teams): Works sporadically but often unreliable​.
• Apple FaceTime: Works on iPhones, as noted, similar to iMessage​.

So what video call apps work in China? 

Use local solutions (WeChat, QQ, DingTalk, Tencent Meeting) for best results. Most Western video apps require a VPN to function.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s very important to know about messaging apps in China for good communication. WeChat is a great platform that does much more than just messaging. QQ offers many features to stay connected. DingTalk is a strong choice for business conversations. Visitors might find WeChat useful, but using WhatsApp in China often needs a VPN.

Locals mostly use these apps to talk, including Telegram, and each app meets different needs. Exploring these apps can help you improve your online interactions in China. If you want smooth communication, getting used to these messaging platforms is essential.

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