IT Home has published an article declaring that WeChat is working on a test build to reinstate the social tool which allows users to connect with each other via shaking their smartphones.
Testing of WeChat’s Social Feature “Shake” is Already Underway
Whoever is interested in trying it out will have to exercise some patience as accessibility is limited at the moment. Only select users who have iOS operating systems can use the feature on a grayscale basis.
How to Find and Use “Shake” Feature
To test if you are eligible to access the feature, go ahead and search “Shake” on the WeChat search tab. Those in the test group will have the option to enable the feature.
With it enabled, an oversized “Shake” button will be visible. Once the user presses the button, a prompt message saying, “Looking for people who are shaking their phones at the same time” will appear while the individual shakes their smartphone. Afterwards, the application will try to pair users with other WeChat users within their region from different parts of the country at random.
Matched users can check other users’ nicknames, distance profile and opt for adding them as a friend. The experience is quite identical to the previous take which allows for older users to experience nostalgia.
The Evolution of the ‘Shake’ Feature
The “Shake feature was initially available on WeChat 4.3 in 2012. Users could meet people nearby or from anywhere in the country just by shaking their phones. This was an effective way to socialize back when WeChat first started.
However, the app removed the feature after version 8.0.47 in 2024. Instead, the “Shake” feature replaced “Listen,” which identified songs when users shook the phone, making shaking the phone more of an identification action than a social one.
Will “Shake” feature be available permanently?
Currently, the team is working on the option again, but no official word has been given on whether it will return in future updates. For now, only a select number of iOS users have access to it and there has been no indication from WeChat if they plan to extend access. To try out the new features, ensure that you have the most updated version of WeChat.
For longtime users of WeChat, the return of the “Shake” feature may be nostalgic. Although it is unclear whether the feature will come back for good, some users have begun relishing in the chance to shake their phones to meet new people again.
