MiniPrograms (or MPs) are essentially apps that run within WeChat:

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE...A8%8B%E5%BA%8F
https://walkthechat.com/wechat-mini-...-introduction/

When Tencent first rolled out the platform, I was perplexed as to its value/potential because WeChat already had (and still has) official accounts (OAs), which can be fairly useful when developed by intelligent people, and MPs do have feature limitations that don't encumber standalone apps.

But, after I got a taste of a few good MPs, I started to understand the fuss. The most relevant plus to for me is that they solve the "I want to keep my phone as app light as possible" dilemma. For example, while I wouldn't even contemplate the idea of downloading apps for all of my loyalty programs individually, adding MPs is no skin off my back. They are also lightening fast, both to use and bind. For example, as an experiment, I recently compared IHG's app, OA, and MP. All 3 channels provide similar information and capabilities, but I found the MP provided a significantly better user experience than the other 2 (20 seconds to complete a booking v 60 seconds and 45 seconds). Getting back my point about about app light, I wouldn't have downloaded the IHG app were it not for this exercise, so it might as not even exist, but the MP can stick around, and I actually do use it.