How to Type Chinese in WhatsApp, WeChat or Any App
A common misconception is that each app needs its own Chinese setting. It does not: input methods belong to the operating system. Install one at the system level and every app can use it.
Why the app does not matter
When you type, the app only receives finished text. Deciding which characters your keystrokes become is the input method’s job, and that lives in Windows, macOS, iOS or Android — not in WhatsApp, WeChat, or your browser.
So the setup step is per device, not per app. Do it once and it works everywhere.
On a phone
Enable the Chinese keyboard in system settings (see the iPhone and Android guides), then switch with the globe key whenever you are in a text field.
Long-pressing the globe key lets you jump straight to Chinese instead of cycling.
On a computer
Windows: Win + Space. macOS: Control + Space or the Globe key. The menu bar or taskbar shows which input method is active.
If typing produces Latin letters instead of characters, you are simply on the wrong input method — switch again.
If you see empty boxes
Empty rectangles (tofu) mean a missing font, not a typing problem. On desktop, installing the language pack with the input method usually fixes it; on mobile it is rare.
Now practise it
Your keyboard is set up. Type pinyin, get graded letter by letter, and let spaced repetition bring back the words you miss. No account.
Other guides
TypingChinese is open source — view the code on GitHub.