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How to Add Friends in WeChat: Expanding Social Circle

WeChat is China’s most popular messaging app with over 1 billion monthly active users. Connecting with new friends on WeChat can greatly expand your social circle both within China and abroad. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively add new friends on WeChat.

Getting Started

To add friends on WeChat, you first need to download the app and set up your profile.

  • Download the WeChat app on your iOS or Android device. You can also access WeChat on your computer.
  • Set up your profile by adding your name, profile photo, and other basic information. This helps people identify you when adding friends.

Pro Tip: Make your profile engaging by customizing it with stickers, text fonts, and background images. This makes people more likely to add you.

Adding Friends Nearby

The easiest way to add WeChat friends is by using the “People Nearby” or “Shake” feature. This allows you to connect with WeChat users who are physically close to your location.

To add nearby friends:

  • Open WeChat and go to the Discover tab
  • Tap on Shake or People Nearby
  • Shake your phone gently. This will show other nearby WeChat users also shaking their phones.
  • Select the users you want to add as friends and tap Add next to their profile.

This is a great way to meet local people and travelers when exploring new places in China. It’s like having a local guide in your pocket!

Searching Friends by WeChat ID or QR Code

You can search for specific WeChat users to add as friends using their WeChat ID or QR code.

To add friends by WeChat ID:

  • Go to the Contacts tab in WeChat
  • Tap the + icon in the top right to add a new contact
  • Select WeChat ID
  • Type in the person’s WeChat ID and tap Search
  • Select the matching user profile and tap Add to send a friend request

To add friends by QR code:

  • Go to Contacts > + icon > Scan QR Code
  • Line up the QR code in the viewfinder to scan it
  • The person’s profile will appear. Tap Add to send a friend request.

Getting someone’s WeChat ID or QR code to add them is easy. Simply ask “What’s your WeChat ID?” or “Can you show me your WeChat QR code?” Most Chinese people will be happy to connect.

Importing Phone Contacts

If you already have someone’s mobile number saved in your phone contacts, you can easily add them on WeChat.

To add phone contacts:

  • Go to the WeChat Contacts tab
  • Tap on the 3-dot menu in the top right
  • Select Mobile Contacts
  • Tap Import Mobile Contacts
  • Check the contacts you want to add on WeChat
  • Tap Add to WeChat in the top right

WeChat will automatically send a friend request SMS to phone numbers with registered WeChat accounts. If they accept, you’ll be connected!

Finding Friends from Your School, Company or Region

WeChat makes it easy to connect with groups of people at once, such as classmates, colleagues, or people from your hometown.

To find groups to add:

  • Go to Contacts > Groups > Search Groups
  • Select the group category you want to search in, such as School, Company, or Region
  • Type in a keyword related to your school, company, region etc.
  • Browse the list of matching groups. Select interesting groups to join.
  • Once you’ve joined a group, you can view profiles and add members as friends.

Joining interest-based WeChat groups is a fun way to meet like-minded people. You can also create your own custom groups and invite friends to join.

Best Practices for Adding New WeChat Friends

Here are some top tips when sending friend requests to new WeChat connections:

  • Personalize your request message – Don’t just send a blank request. Say hi and reference where you met or who you both know. This gives context.
  • Follow up after connecting – Chat with new friends and suggest meeting up in person when relevant. This helps transition from digital friends to real friends.
  • Organize your contacts – Put new friends into custom contact groups like “Shanghai Friends”, “Family”, “Gym Buddies” etc. This keeps your expanding network organized.
  • Verify identities – Video call new connections to verify they are who they claim to be if you have any doubts. This prevents scammers.

The key is to be proactive and engage your new WeChat friends in conversation. Simply collecting random contacts is not that meaningful. Nurture real relationships online and offline.

Conclusion

Adding friends by location, contacts, groups and other methods makes expanding your WeChat social network easy and engaging. Approach new friends in a genuine, personal way and put effort into getting to know them after connecting. WeChat can lead to meaningful new friendships when used right.

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