Following a month that saw the introduction of nine new features, the desktop version of WeChat has now incorporated voice input functionality. On February 13, Tencent's Director of Public Relations, Zhang Jun, announced via his personal Weibo account that voice input is now available for WeChat on computers. Previously, neither the Windows nor the Mac version of WeChat included built-in voice input capabilities, requiring users to rely on external tools for this feature.
As a nationally dominant communication application, the desktop version of WeChat has long suffered from an inferior input experience. Users were frequently forced to switch between keyboard typing and using voice input on their mobile phones, leading to inefficiencies, particularly during tasks such as meeting minutes transcription or long-form writing. According to reports, the newly added voice input feature in the WeChat desktop client is now fully compatible with both Windows and macOS systems. Users can access the feature by updating to version 4.1.7 or later.
The specific操作方法 are as follows: Windows users can click the microphone icon located to the left of the chat input box or press the Ctrl + Win key combination to activate voice input. Mac users can activate the feature by default using the Fn key, and all shortcut keys can be customized within the "Settings - Shortcuts" menu. It is important to note that this update has certain system version requirements for computers; if the operating system is too outdated, it will not be possible to upgrade WeChat to the latest version.
WeChat has been actively enhancing its suite of features recently, with nine updates concentrated in January alone. These updates included WeChat AI search gaining the ability to evaluate public accounts, the option to retain chat records when deleting contacts, the launch of an incentive program for original short dramas on Channels, customizable product display timing on Channels, a quick complaint feature for counterfeit goods in WeChat Stores, the introduction of an AI Mini Program growth plan, traffic incentives for reserving live streams in mini-games, a comprehensive upgrade to the mini-game commercialization toolkit, and the release of a mini-game tournament component.
In fact, there has been considerable external interest regarding whether WeChat will integrate more AI experiences. However, Tencent's Chairman and CEO, Pony Ma, previously stated at the company's 2025 staff meeting that, alongside AI explorations within various business platforms, the Technology Engineering Group (TEG) and the Cloud and Smart Industries Group (CSIG) serve as the main forces driving Tencent's AI and intelligent transformation. Ma indicated that Tencent will approach large models and AI products from an integrated perspective, planning future product and organizational designs using a logic of crossover collaboration, personnel secondment, and co-design.
Regarding the AI-powered intelligence of the WeChat ecosystem, Ma expressed the view that an "AI全家桶" (all-in-one AI bundle) may not be universally appealing. He emphasized that WeChat will continue to adhere to a decentralized approach, planning its intelligent ecosystem in a manner that balances user needs with privacy and security, thereby ensuring that everyone can use the platform with confidence.
As for the question of why WeChat's installation package has expanded hundreds of times over the past decade, WeChat has previously offered explanations. The official WeChat account "微信派" (WeChat Pie) stated that this growth is an objective reality. As WeChat provides an increasingly rich array of functions, the necessary code, logic, and resources—such as images and emojis—naturally contribute to an increase in the installation package size. However, the package will not grow indefinitely, and WeChat is continuously optimizing it. Recent Android versions of WeChat have seen a consistent reduction in installation package size.
WeChat also highlighted that for many users troubled by insufficient storage space, the root cause is likely chat history. For users whose WeChat occupies over 40GB of space, chat records account for an average of 70% of that usage.