China’s super messaging app WeChat rolled out an update earlier this week allowing users to find and use its download-free mini-programs more easily in an experience like that offered in an operating system.
The new version gives more prominence to mini-programs, which are hidden by default in the messaging app. To view the mini-programs, users need to swipe down from the top of the app’s “Chats” window. Previously, this would have opened a half-screen menu displaying a list of recently used and liked mini-programs with little additional functionality.
With the update, a window resembling a smartphone’s home screen is displayed when swiping down from within the app. The embedded applications also have been made directly searchable from the window, with WeChat adding a mini-program search bar.
Start your free trial now.
Get instant access to all our premium content, archives, newsletters, and online community.
Monthly Membership
Yearly Membership
What you get
Full access to all premium content and our full archives
Members'-only newsletters
Preferential access and discounts to all TechNode events
Direct access to the TechNode newsroom
Start your free trial now.
Get instant access to all our premium content, archives, newsletters, and online community.