🛠️ Download Videos from WeChat Channels with wx_channels_download: A Complete Guide (Windows/macOS)

WeChat Channels (微信视频号) has rapidly become a go-to platform for short-form videos, live streams, and rich media content in China. However, users are still limited when it comes to saving or backing up content—there’s no official download feature available.

Enter wx_channels_download: a powerful, open-source utility that enables seamless downloading of videos, live replays, and image content from WeChat Channels. Developed by ltaoo, this tool integrates directly with your desktop WeChat client, offering a smooth and intuitive experience.

In this article, we’ll walk through its features, installation process, and how to get started.

🚀 What is wx_channels_download?

wx_channels_download is a cross-platform (Windows/macOS) utility that lets you download:

• 🔹 Regular videos from WeChat Channels

• 🔹 Live broadcast replays

• 🔹 Multi-image posts

• 🔹 With selectable video quality (Original, HD, SD)

It works by injecting a "Download" button directly into the PC version of the WeChat app using a local HTTPS proxy and certificate.

📍 GitHub Repository: https://github.com/ltaoo/wx_channels_download

🔧 Key Features

🖥️ Installation Guide

✅ Step 1: Download the Executable

Head over to the Releases page on GitHub and download the appropriate version:

• For Windows: Download the .exe file

• For macOS: Download the .darwin executable

✅ Step 2: Run the Tool

Windows

1. Right-click the .exe file and choose Run as Administrator

2. The tool will install a trusted certificate and configure local proxy settings

3. Once the terminal says "Service started successfully", leave the window open

macOS

1. Open Terminal and grant execution permission:

   chmod +x ./wx_video_download_darwin_xxx
   

2. Run with root privileges:

   sudo ./wx_video_download_darwin_xxx
   

3. On first run, follow prompts to install the root certificate

4. Leave the terminal window open while using the tool

📦 How to Use It

✅ Step 3: Download Content from WeChat Channels

1. Open the WeChat Desktop client

2. Navigate to a video in WeChat Channels

3. You’ll see a new Download button below the video (auto-injected by the tool)

4. Click it, then choose your desired quality:

   • 🎞 Original

   • 📽 HD

   • 📼 SD

5. The video will be saved to your default directory with a quality tag in the filename

⚠️ Important Notes

🔐 Certificate & Proxy

The tool works by intercepting HTTPS traffic. It installs a local root certificate to do so securely. Allow this when prompted; otherwise, the tool won’t work.

⚙️ System Requirements

• Compatible with Windows 10+ and macOS Monterey or later

• Works with the official WeChat desktop client (Windows/macOS only)

🔒 Privacy & Safety

This is an open-source tool. No data is sent to external servers. All processes run locally on your machine.

🆕 Recent Updates (as of April 2025)

• ✅ Support for live stream replays

• ✅ New feature: multi-image post download

• ✅ Improved video playback compatibility

• ✅ Original resolution support for high-quality archiving

• ✅ Better macOS support and security certificate handling

🧩 FAQ

Q: Why can’t I see the download button?

• Ensure the tool is running with admin privileges

• Restart the WeChat client after launching the tool

• Double-check if your system allows proxy/certificate installation

Q: Can I use this on my phone?

No. This tool only works with the desktop version of WeChat. It does not support Android or iOS.

Q: Is it safe?

Yes. The tool is open-source, with no telemetry or hidden behavior. You can inspect the source code or compile it yourself for peace of mind.

📝 Conclusion

If you're a content creator, researcher, or casual user looking to archive or reuse content from WeChat Channels, wx_channels_download is a must-have tool. It’s simple to use, powerful under the hood, and completely free.

Ready to try it out?
👉 Download from GitHub