WeChat and QQ are near-mandatory for business, dating, and daily life in China. Registering from outside China has become notably harder since 2020 — Tencent added a "friend must scan a QR code" verification for non-mainland numbers. Here is the current working method.
Method 1: Chinese virtual number (works alone)
- Filter WeChat and country China on SMSVerifyo.
- Install WeChat, choose China (+86) on the country picker.
- Enter the rented number, receive code in your dashboard, submit.
- Set profile. Account activates without a friend-scan step because the number is +86.
Method 2: Foreign number + friend scan
Rent a foreign country number (US, UK, wherever). WeChat prompts you to have an existing WeChat user (>6 months old, active, no recent scans) scan a QR code. If you have such a friend, this works — otherwise use Method 1.
QQ registration
Same flow, +86 numbers work directly. QQ is stricter about repeated logins from foreign IPs — expect a captcha loop on first login. Solve it and it stabilizes.
Frequently asked questions
Will WeChat ban a virtual +86 number?
Not for the number itself. Bans come from spam, political speech, or scam behavior.
Can I use WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay requires a Chinese bank card. The phone verification is separate.
Cost?
Chinese WeChat numbers on SMSVerifyo start at $0.80 (China mobile ranges are premium).
Is this legal outside China?
Registering the app is legal. Chinese law governs speech inside the app; behave accordingly.