WeChat app crosses 100 million users outside China

WeChat, the mobile application which enables users to send messages, pictures, voice notes to each other today announced that it surpassed the 100 million registered international user account milestone.

The application which runs on Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows Phone operating systems, said it doubled its registered international user account base in the last 3 months.

"We must thank all our fans for helping us achieving 100 million registered user account milestone in such a short space of time," said Poshu Yeung, Vice President of International Business Group at Tencent, the company behind WeChat App.

"To those people, and to future users, we promise we will continue to bring you innovation, for example we launched the first-of-its-kind voice messaging service 'Hold-to-Talk' on the app in 2011, and we will continue to develop and enrich our user experience. Whether users want to create text message, share moments, or engage in live audio and video chats, WeChat has made it all available to enjoy securely and for free," he said.

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WeChat has seen a host of artists, sports personalities, celebrities and VIPs join the platform to better connect with their fans. In India, major brands such as Panasonic, Caf Coffee Day, Big Bazaar, PVR Cinemas etc. have leveraged the platform's 'Official Accounts' capability to engage with customers.

WeChat was an early adopter of the hold to talk feature and also in the application sticker space.

WhatsApp, the other popular messaging application for mobile operating systems, followed suit earlier in August. On January 16 this year, WhatsApp said it had crossed 200 million users. Earlier in August, WhatsApp told AllThingsD that the four-year-old company has 300 million monthly active users - which includes more than 20 million active users each in Germany, Mexico, India and Spain.