QQ : Tencent's instant messenger, pairing group chat and calls with the Qzone social blog.

QQ launched in 1999 as Tencent's pioneering chat client, and numeric account IDs became personal identifiers across China.

Beyond text chat, it handles group conversations, voice and video calls, large file transfers, and Qzone doubles as its social profile blog.

WeChat now serves the broader market, while QQ's following skews younger and gaming-focused. An English international version runs, though most of the interface stays in Chinese.

What is the remote control feature on QQ?

QQ has a built-in remote desktop control feature, allowing users to remotely access and control another computer. This is widely used by Chinese tech support and families helping relatives. The feature works across Windows and can transfer files during sessions.

Does QQ have end-to-end encryption?

No, QQ does not offer end-to-end encryption. Messages are encrypted during transmission but are accessible to Tencent on their servers. Like WeChat, QQ must comply with Chinese surveillance laws. Sensitive content is automatically filtered by the platform.

What is Qzone?

Qzone is QQ's blogging and social networking feature, similar to early Facebook or MySpace. Users decorate profiles, post diaries, share photos, and play social games. It remains popular among Chinese teenagers and is a key part of QQ's ecosystem.

Can I use QQ outside China?

Affirmative. QQ works globally and supports international phone registration. QQ International version is available in English on app stores. File transfer works globally. QQ's gaming and voice chat features are popular among overseas Chinese communities.

Is QQ still relevant in China?

It is. QQ still has over 500M MAU, primarily among Gen Z users who use it for file sharing, Qzone blogging, and gaming communities. While WeChat dominates adult communication, QQ's richer customization, larger file transfers, and emoji packs keep it popular with younger users.