Imagine having one app that lets you chat, shop, pay your bills, book a ride, and even schedule a doctor’s appointment instead of hundreds of apps you already have. Believe it or not, this app actually exists, and it’s WeChat.
WeChat is an indispensable go-to app for millions of users, especially in China. With so much happening in one place, you might want to get a peek into someone’s activity on it. We’ll break down practical WeChat monitoring apps and tools.
תוֹכֶן הָעִניָנִים
What Is WeChat & How Does It Work?
WeChat is a multi-platform app developed in 2011 by one of the biggest holdings in China, Tencent. The idea was to integrate everything people can do in a single app without the need ever to leave it. The app has a huge database of 1.38 billion users worldwide, which makes it the 6th most popular app.
WeChat, also known as China’s “Super App”, and there are pretty good reasons for this. The app plays an integral part in the life of Chinese people, replacing dozens of other apps. It allows citizens to do almost anything they need, from messaging to paying bills, all with one app.
This multi-program app is widely used in other countries, including The United States, India, Japan, and Mexico. While WeChat is mainly targeted at local users to make their lives more comfortable, people and businesses in other countries use it as a way to promote their products on the Chinese market.
WeChat Key Features
WeChat is a full-fledged digital ecosystem used for a wide range of purposes, especially in China. Here’s how people use it:
Messaging & Calls
The app lets users send text messages, voice messages, images, videos, and even make voice and video calls. It also supports group chats with up to 500 members.
Social Networking
This includes several features that allow users to share photos, videos, and status updates with their friends. It also offers functionality similar to TikTok for short videos and live-streaming.
Mobile Payments & Banking
The mini-app WeChat Pay lets you make online and offline purchases, pay bills, and even split restaurant bills.
Business & Work
WeCom is a mini-app integrated into the platform, similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams, created for remote workers where they can communicate with each other, share documents, and much more.
Transportation & Travel
WeChat integrates various travel services, allowing users to book taxis, pay for metro and bus rides, and arrange flights or hotel stays directly within the app.
Healthcare & Government Services
Users in China can schedule medical appointments and consult doctors directly from their phones. They can also pay utility bills and fines and even apply for official documents.
WeChat Monitoring Solutions
WeChat is considered as a secure and private app that doesn’t track or sell your data to other companies. The company made it simple to use the mini-apps without providing your personal information.
All this makes it hard to create a WeChat monitoring app that will let you see someone’s activity in the Super App. But there are still ways how you can do this.
#1: Use Eyezy
Eyezy is a full-range monitoring app that offers over 40 practical features. With it, you can track locations, view text messages, monitor social media chats, block apps, and websites, and much more.
While the app doesn’t have a separate WeChat tracker, the company is working on a Live Screenshot feature. It lets you mirror all the activity from the phone right to your account. Once you install the app on the phone, you can click on the button in your dashboard to capture everything happening on the screen at that particular moment.
Obviously, you don’t know when exactly a person might be on WeChat, but you’ll have the possibility to see what they’re doing. The feature is in the development stage and will soon be available for users.
#2: Use Your Own Device As a WeChat Monitoring App
WeChat allows users to link their accounts to a desktop or web client. If you have access to the target’s device and can log into their account, you can link their WeChat to your computer or browser. This way, you can monitor messages, calls, and contacts from your own device. Here’s how:
- Open the WeChat app on the phone you want to monitor.
- Go to the “Me” tab and choose “Settings”.
- Tap “General” and select “Web WeChat”.
- Open web.wechat.com on your desktop browser.
- Scan the QR code on the web page with the target phone.
- Start monitoring their activity.
Warning: Monitoring someone’s WeChat account without their consent is illegal. Always make sure you have the person’s permission and act within legal boundaries.
#3: Use Built-in Screen Time Management Features
Parents can use built-in screen time management features on both Android and iOS to monitor WeChat usage. These features allow parents to set restrictions, limit usage time, and view app activity.
Screen Time For iOS
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Set up a Screen Time passcode.
- Enable App Limits or monitor app usage statistics.
Digital Wellbeing For Android
- Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
- Set up a family account and link the child’s device.
- Review app usage through the linked account.
Is WeChat Spyware?
Mini-programs are small apps inside WeChat that you don’t need to install separately. It gives you access through links shared by friends, groups, social media, or by scanning QR codes. This allows you to use everything you need without providing your personal details. All this makes the app look private and safe, but is it?
The fact that you don’t need to enter personal details every time doesn’t guarantee full privacy or security. WeChat still collects a lot of personal data, like your messages, contacts, and even location. This information can be shared with the company or potentially with the Chinese government under certain regulations.
WeChat also enforces strict censorship. The platform filters certain keywords and topics, raising concerns about surveillance and freedom of speech.
שורה תחתונה
WeChat is a highly popular app that combines many services in one, making it hard to monitor. While it’s difficult to track real-time activity due to how it works. Linking to the target’s account or using screen time management features can help monitor usage but don’t provide full visibility.
While Eyezy also requires access to the phone and a person’s consent, its upcoming feature will let you see what they do in WeChat, making it an ideal choice for the job.
