How to Run Multiple WeChat Instances on macOS (WeChat 4.1.9.58)

Works with:

• macOS
• WeChat 4.1.9.58
• Intel & Apple Silicon Macs

Keywords:
macOS WeChat dual launch, WeChat multi-instance Mac, multiple WeChat accounts on Mac, WeChat2.app tutorial, WeChat duplicate app, WeChat multi-login macOS.

Requirements

Before starting, make sure you have:

• A Mac running macOS
• Xcode installed
  (Some users may encounter signing or plist errors without Xcode.)
• Terminal access
• All existing WeChat instances completely closed

To fully quit WeChat:

• Press Cmd + Q
• Or right-click WeChat in the Dock → Quit

Step 1 — Remove Existing WeChat2.app (Optional)

If you previously created a duplicated WeChat app:

Open:

Finder → Applications → WeChat2.app

Move it to Trash.

Skip this step if you’ve never done multi-instance setup before.

Step 2 — Duplicate WeChat.app

Open Terminal and run:

sudo cp -R /Applications/WeChat.app /Applications/WeChat2.app

Enter your Mac password if prompted.

Step 3 — Change Bundle Identifier

Run:

sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :CFBundleIdentifier com.tencent.xinWeChat2" /Applications/WeChat2.app/Contents/Info.plist

Why this matters:

macOS identifies apps using the Bundle Identifier.
Changing it allows the duplicated WeChat app to run independently.

Step 4 — Re-sign the Duplicated App

Run:

sudo codesign --force --deep --sign - /Applications/WeChat2.app

This re-signs the duplicated app so macOS allows it to launch correctly.

Step 5 — Launch Original WeChat

Open the original WeChat app normally.

Step 6 — Launch Second WeChat Instance

Run:

nohup /Applications/WeChat2.app/Contents/MacOS/WeChat >/dev/null 2>&1 &

The second WeChat instance should now open independently.

Step 7 — Keep WeChat2 in Dock

To avoid using Terminal every time:

1. Find WeChat2 in the Dock
2. Right-click
3. Options → Keep in Dock

Now you can launch the second WeChat directly from the Dock.

How to Run 3 or More WeChat Accounts

Repeat the same process but rename the app differently:

• WeChat3.app
• WeChat4.app
• etc.

Example:

sudo cp -R /Applications/WeChat.app /Applications/WeChat3.app

And update the Bundle Identifier accordingly.

Common Errors

“Operation not permitted”

Make sure:

• You granted Terminal Full Disk Access
• SIP is not interfering
• You used sudo correctly

“codesign failed”

Usually caused by:

• Xcode not installed
• Incomplete app copy
• Incorrect permissions

Install Xcode and try again.

Second WeChat won’t open

Make sure:

• Original WeChat is already running
• Bundle Identifier was changed successfully
• codesign completed without errors

Final Notes

This method creates independent macOS app instances for WeChat, allowing stable multi-account usage without third-party launchers or virtualization tools.

You can use this technique for:

• Personal + work WeChat accounts
• Cross-border business communication
• Creator / community management
• Multi-region account operation

Tested on WeChat 4.1.9.58.