WeChat Unveils 3 New Features for Smarter Chats

Tencent's WeChat, China's most popular social messaging app, unveiled three new features today, aiming to optimize user experience in voice communication, video calls and cross-language interaction.

Voice-to-Text Translation with Real-Time Interpretation

A key highlight of the new updates is the upgraded voice-to-text translation feature, which now supports real-time translation. Users can now send a voice message in a WeChat chat, then tap the "Translate" button at the bottom left corner of the voice bubble to automatically convert the voice content into text and translate it into their desired language.

Ignore Button for Voice and Video Calls

Another user-friendly update is the "Ignore" function for voice and video calls, a long-awaited feature that solves the embarrassment of dealing with unwanted calls. Previously, users had limited options when receiving a call they did not wish to answer, often having to let it ring out.

The latest update introduces a prominent "Ignore" button on the call notification pop-up. Tapping this button dismisses the call screen instantly. Crucially, the caller will not receive a "Rejected" notification, creating the impression that the call was simply missed rather than deliberately declined.

Video Call Screen Lock to Prevent Accidental Hang-Ups

WeChat has added a screen lock feature for video calls. To prevent accidental disconnections caused by inadvertent screen taps — a common annoyance during long conversations — users can now lock the call interface. By tapping a small lock icon in the upper right corner of the video call screen, all operation buttons, including the "End Call" button, are hidden, ensuring the call continues uninterrupted until the user chooses to unlock it.

WeChat stated that the new features are being rolled out gradually to all users, with full coverage expected in the coming weeks.