WeChat App Adds Integration with Twitter and Facebook as It Goes Global

This newest WeChat update also adds downloadable emoticon packs.

The Chinese-made messaging app WeChat – which boasts over 100 million registered users – has seen an update to its iPhone app today that adds some useful features for its international users.

Now at v4.3, today’s bump brings support for some Facebook and Twitter syncing, as well as a new way to zap images from your computer browser over to your phone. That’s called Shake Down, and is intended to make it easier to share cool stuff you find on the web, and include it in a WeChat message to some buddies. Those with the updated iOS app can try it at shake.wechatapp.com.

As for the new social aspects, you can now sync your WeChat ‘Moments’ directly to Twitter; on the Facebook side, the new version enables you to download photos from your Facebook albums and share them as WeChat Moments.

Another new thing is the option to download new emoticon packs. We get the feeling that Tencent (HKG:0700), makers of WeChat (or “Weixin” as it’s called in China), has realised the monetization and social marketing potential of emoticons, as pioneered by rival apps Line and Kakaotalk. But for the moment, WeChat’s newly downloadable emoticon stickers packs are free and limited in number.

Earlier this summer, WeChat got video and voice calling in the major v4.0 update, and more recently allowed people to follow brands and media within the app – emulating Twitter or Sina Weibo.

See all the new update features on this WeChat page. It’s likely the Android app will get them in a few weeks’ time too.

WeChat app now integrates with Facebook (above), and Twitter (below):