How to Download WeChat Videos: 10 Best WeChat Video or Audio Downloaders
Trying to save a video from a WeChat chat, a clip from a WeChat Channel, or a memory from someone’s Moment? This guide covers step-by-step instructions and 10 tested tools to download WeChat video or audio on Android, iPhone, and PC.
Pricing Comparison
| Rank | Tool | Type | Price | Best For | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WeChat Video Downloader | WeChat Bot | Free / $7.90/mo | Channel videos via bot | Up to original |
| 2 | PasteDownload | Web-based | Free | Public Weixin video URLs | Up to 1080p |
| 3 | GreenVideo | Web-based | Free | Official Account videos | Up to 1080p |
| 4 | Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer | Desktop app | $21.95 one-time | Full WeChat backup | Original |
| 5 | WeChat-Video-Downloader (GitHub) | Browser extension | Free (open-source) | Official Account pages | Original |
| 6 | ScreenApp | Web app + extension | Free / $19/mo | Recording + transcription | Up to 1080p |
| 7 | WeChat Desktop (built-in) | Desktop client | Free | Chat videos + backup | Original |
| 8 | WeChat Channels Downloader | Desktop tool | Free | Channel videos on PC | Up to 1080p |
| 9 | WeChat Web (browser method) | Web browser | Free | Quick saves from chats | Varies |
| 10 | Screen recording (built-in) | OS feature | Free | Any WeChat content | Up to 1080p |
Save Videos from Chats
The simplest way to download a WeChat video is through the app itself. This works for videos sent in private or group chats.
On iPhone or Android:
- Open the WeChat chat and find the video
- Tap and hold the video for 2-3 seconds
- Select “Save Video” from the menu
- The video saves to your Photos app (iPhone) or Gallery (Android)
Limitation: This built-in method does not work for WeChat Channels, expired Moments, or protected videos. For those, use the dedicated tools below.
Download from Channels
WeChat Channels do not have a built-in download button. You need a third-party tool to save Channel videos.
WeChat Video Downloader Bot
WeChat Video Downloader{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is a bot-based service that runs inside WeChat itself. You scan a QR code to add the bot as a friend, then share the Channel video link to the bot. It sends back a download link.
Pricing: Free tier gives you 1 video at 480p. The Pro plan costs $7.90/month for 50 daily downloads at 1080p. The Premium plan costs $39/year for unlimited downloads at original quality.
Works on: Any device with WeChat installed (Android, iPhone, PC).
Pros: No app installation needed, works inside WeChat, supports original quality on paid plans.
Cons: Free tier is very limited (1 video, 480p only). Requires adding a bot to your WeChat contacts.
WeChat Channels Downloader (Desktop)
WeChat Channels Downloader{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is an open-source desktop tool that downloads Channel videos on Windows and macOS. It supports multiple video formats and batch processing.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Works on: Windows, macOS.
Pros: Free, no account needed, supports batch downloads.
Cons: Desktop only, requires some technical setup.
Download from Web Pages
For videos embedded in WeChat Official Account articles (public web pages), these browser-based tools work well.
PasteDownload
PasteDownload{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is a free web tool. Paste the Weixin video URL, click download, and pick your format. It supports MP4 and MP3 extraction.
Pricing: Completely free. No registration, no download limits, no hidden costs.
Works on: Any device with a web browser.
Pros: Truly free with no restrictions, supports audio extraction, no signup.
Cons: Only works with public URLs. Cannot access private or protected content.
GreenVideo
GreenVideo{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is a free online tool for downloading videos from WeChat Official Account pages. Paste the article URL and it extracts all video files.
Pricing: Free.
Works on: Any web browser.
Pros: Handles Official Account articles well, extracts multiple videos from a single page.
Cons: Limited to public Official Account content only.
WeChat-Video-Downloader (GitHub)
WeChat-Video-Downloader{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is a free, open-source browser extension that adds download buttons to WeChat Official Account web pages. It intercepts the video URL and lets you save directly.
Pricing: Free and open-source.
Works on: Chrome and Edge browsers.
Pros: One-click downloads from Official Account pages, no data collection, transparent code.
Cons: Requires browser extension installation, only works on Official Account web pages (not Channels or Moments).
Full WeChat Backup
If you want to save all your WeChat videos, messages, and attachments at once, a backup tool is the most complete approach.
WeChat Desktop Backup
WeChat Desktop has a built-in “Backup & Restore” feature. Install WeChat on your Windows PC or Mac, log in by scanning the QR code with your phone, then go to Settings and select “Backup & Restore.”
Pricing: Free (part of the official WeChat Desktop app).
Works on: Windows, macOS.
How to use it:
- Download WeChat Desktop from the official website
- Log in by scanning the QR code with your phone
- Go to the menu and select “Backup & Restore”
- Choose “Back Up on PC” and select the conversations you want
- Videos save alongside messages in the backup folder
Pros: Official method, most reliable, saves everything including video, audio, and messages.
Cons: Backs up entire conversations (not individual videos). Backup files can be large.
Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer
Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} by Wondershare backs up WeChat data from iPhone to your computer. You can preview and selectively export videos, voice messages, and attachments.
Pricing: $21.95 one-time purchase. Supports up to 5 mobile devices. 7-day money-back guarantee. Free 3-day trial available.
Works on: Windows, macOS (for managing iPhone WeChat data).
Pros: Selective export (pick specific videos), preview before saving, also works with WhatsApp and LINE.
Cons: Paid software, iPhone-focused (limited Android support for WeChat), requires USB connection.
Record WeChat Content
When direct downloads are blocked, screen recording captures any WeChat content including video calls, live streams, and protected videos.
ScreenApp
ScreenApp records your screen and automatically transcribes the audio. It works with WeChat Web, WeChat Desktop, and any other source playing on your screen. Useful for saving WeChat video calls with a searchable transcript.
Pricing: Free tier available. Pro plan starts at $19/month and includes AI transcription in 50+ languages.
Works on: Chrome extension and web app. Works on any device with a browser.
Pros: Captures any video (including protected content), automatic transcription, multi-language translation, searchable recordings.
Cons: Records in real time (not instant download), requires the video to play fully.
Built-in Screen Recording
Both Android and iPhone have built-in screen recording. On iPhone, swipe down from the top-right to access Control Center and tap the screen recording icon. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap “Screen Record.”
Pricing: Free (built into iOS and Android).
Works on: iPhone (iOS 14+), Android (11+), Windows (Xbox Game Bar), macOS (Screenshot toolbar).
Pros: No app installation needed, completely free, works with any WeChat content.
Cons: Records in real time, no automatic transcription, audio quality depends on device speakers.
WeChat Web Method
You can access WeChat in a browser at web.wechat.com. Once logged in, right-click any video in a chat and select “Save As” to download it. You can also forward videos to the “File Transfer” chat on your phone, then download them from the desktop client.
Pricing: Free.
Works on: Any desktop browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
Pros: No extra software needed, works for chat videos.
Cons: Cannot download Channel or Moments content. WeChat Web has been restricted in some regions.
For users looking to transcribe their downloaded WeChat videos, our AI transcription software can automatically convert video content to text. If you need to download videos from other platforms, check out our guides for TikTok video downloads and Instagram video downloading.
Safety and Legal Tips
Downloading WeChat videos for personal use is generally fine. Redistributing someone else’s content for commercial purposes without permission is not. Here are some guidelines:
Generally OK:
- Saving videos for personal offline viewing
- Downloading content you created yourself
- Saving videos shared with you in private chats
- Using public content for education with attribution
Avoid:
- Redistributing downloaded content without permission
- Commercial use of someone else’s videos
- Providing your WeChat password to any third-party tool
- Downloading from sites with excessive pop-ups or suspicious requirements
Legitimate wechat video downloader tools work with public URLs or the WeChat bot system. They never ask for your WeChat login credentials. If a tool requests your password, do not use it.
Always scan downloaded desktop software with antivirus before installing. Web-based tools like PasteDownload and GreenVideo are generally safer since they run in your browser with no installation.
FAQ
How do I download a WeChat video?
The fastest way is to open the WeChat chat, tap and hold the video, then select “Save Video.” This saves it to your phone’s gallery. For Channel videos, use a wechat video downloader tool like WeChat Video Downloader{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} (free tier or $7.90/month for 1080p). For Official Account videos, paste the URL into PasteDownload{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} (completely free).
How to download video from WeChat on iPhone?
Open the chat with the video, tap and hold it, and select “Save to Photos.” The video appears in your Photos app under Recents. For Moments, tap the video to play it full-screen, then long-press and select “Save Video.” For Channel videos, share the link to the WeChat Video Downloader bot{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} and it sends you a download link. You can also use WeChat’s built-in Favorites feature: long-press the video, tap “Favorites,” then open Me > Favorites and save from there.
How to download video from WeChat on PC?
Install WeChat Desktop from the official website, log in with the QR code, then right-click any video in a chat and select “Save As.” For bulk downloads, use the Backup & Restore feature in WeChat Desktop settings to save entire conversations including all videos. For Official Account article videos, install the WeChat-Video-Downloader browser extension{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} on Chrome or Edge.
Can I download WeChat Channel videos for free?
Yes, but with limits. The WeChat Video Downloader{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} bot offers 1 free Channel video download at 480p. The WeChat Channels Downloader{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} desktop tool is completely free and open-source. You can also use screen recording (free on iPhone and Android) to capture any Channel video playing on your screen.
Why can’t I save some WeChat videos?
Several things can block video saving:
- Protected content: Some Channel creators disable downloading
- Expired content: Moments and some videos have time limits
- Private accounts: Subscription-only Official Accounts restrict access
- Regional restrictions: Some content is geo-blocked
- Format limitations: Certain WeChat proprietary formats are not easily extractable
For protected or expired content, screen recording is the most reliable workaround. Use ScreenApp for automatic transcription while recording, or your phone’s built-in screen recorder for a quick capture.
Is it legal to download WeChat videos?
Downloading for personal use, offline viewing, and education (with attribution) is generally legal. Commercial redistribution without the creator’s permission is not. According to U.S. Copyright Office guidelines, fair use typically covers personal and educational purposes. Always respect content creators and get permission before sharing their work publicly.
How to extract audio from a WeChat video?
Download the video first using any method above, then use an audio extraction tool. PasteDownload{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} can extract audio as MP3 directly from Weixin video URLs. You can also use our audio extraction tool to separate the audio track from any downloaded video file.
Which Tool Should You Pick?
For chat videos, use WeChat’s built-in “Save Video” option. It is free and needs no extra tools.
For Channel videos, the WeChat Video Downloader bot{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is the simplest option. The free tier is limited to 480p, but the $7.90/month Pro plan gives you 50 daily downloads at 1080p.
For Official Account article videos, PasteDownload{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} is free with no limits, or install the open-source browser extension{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} for one-click downloads.
For full backups, use WeChat Desktop’s Backup & Restore feature (free) or Dr.Fone{:target=“_blank” rel=“nofollow”} ($21.95) for selective video export with preview.
For protected or blocked content, screen recording is the fallback that always works. ScreenApp adds automatic transcription and translation on top of the recording.
For comparison with other social media downloaders, check our Facebook video downloader guide and YouTube downloader guide.
FAQ
The fastest way is to open the WeChat chat, tap and hold the video, then select "Save Video." This saves it to your phone's gallery. For Channel videos, use a wechat video downloader tool like WeChat Video Downloader{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} (free tier or $7.90/month for 1080p). For Official Account videos, paste the URL into PasteDownload{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} (completely free).
Open the chat with the video, tap and hold it, and select "Save to Photos." The video appears in your Photos app under Recents. For Moments, tap the video to play it full-screen, then long-press and select "Save Video." For Channel videos, share the link to the WeChat Video Downloader bot{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} and it sends you a download link. You can also use WeChat's built-in Favorites feature: long-press the video, tap "Favorites," then open Me > Favorites and save from there.
Install WeChat Desktop from the official website, log in with the QR code, then right-click any video in a chat and select "Save As." For bulk downloads, use the Backup & Restore feature in WeChat Desktop settings to save entire conversations including all videos. For Official Account article videos, install the WeChat-Video-Downloader browser extension{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} on Chrome or Edge.
Yes, but with limits. The WeChat Video Downloader{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} bot offers 1 free Channel video download at 480p. The WeChat Channels Downloader{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} desktop tool is completely free and open-source. You can also use screen recording (free on iPhone and Android) to capture any Channel video playing on your screen.
Several things can block video saving: - Protected content: Some Channel creators disable downloading - Expired content: Moments and some videos have time limits - Private accounts: Subscription-only Official Accounts restrict access - Regional restrictions: Some content is geo-blocked - Format limitations: Certain WeChat proprietary formats are not easily extractable For protected or expired content, screen recording is the most reliable workaround. Use ScreenApp for automatic transcription whi
Downloading for personal use, offline viewing, and education (with attribution) is generally legal. Commercial redistribution without the creator's permission is not. According to U.S. Copyright Office guidelines, fair use typically covers personal and educational purposes. Always respect content creators and get permission before sharing their work publicly.
Download the video first using any method above, then use an audio extraction tool. PasteDownload{:target="_blank" rel="nofollow"} can extract audio as MP3 directly from Weixin video URLs. You can also use our audio extraction tool to separate the audio track from any downloaded video file.