Pay in China

Not Receiving SMS Verification Code?

For a complete overview of all payment options in China, please read our Ultimate Guide to Paying in China.

Problem: You are trying to add a card or make a payment, but you never receive the 6-digit SMS verification code on your phone.

Why It Happens

This is a communication problem between the payment app and your phone.

  • Phone Number Format: You did not include your international country code (e.g., +1, +44).
  • SMS Blocking: Your mobile carrier (e.g., T-Mobile, Vodafone) blocked the message as spam.
  • Wrong Number: The phone number linked to your bank account is old or incorrect.
  • Roaming Issues: Your phone has poor signal or is not properly connected to a local Chinese network.

How to Fix It: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Check Phone Number Format

    In the Alipay or WeChat app, make sure your phone number is entered correctly with the plus sign and country code. Examples:

    • USA/Canada: +1-555-123-4567
    • United Kingdom: +44-7700-123456
    • Australia: +61-491-570-123
    • Singapore: +65-8123-4567

  2. Step 2: Check Your Phone's Spam Folder

    Open your phone's messaging app. Look for a "Spam," "Junk," or "Blocked Messages" folder. The code might be in there.

  3. Step 3: Restart Your Phone and Network

    • Turn your phone completely off and on again.
    • If you are in China, manually switch your roaming network. Go to Settings > Cellular > Network Selection and choose a different provider (e.g., switch from China Mobile to China Unicom).

  4. Step 4: Contact Your Mobile Carrier

    Call your home mobile provider (AT&T, O2, etc.) and ask them to check if they are blocking international SMS from China.

  5. Step 5: Verify Phone Number with Your Bank

    Log in to your online banking. Check which phone number is listed for receiving security codes. Make sure it is your current number.

Still No Code? The App May Only Accept a +86 Number

Alipay and WeChat Pay both let you register and pay with a foreign number, so you do not need a Chinese SIM just to pay. But some other Chinese apps only send codes to mainland (+86) numbers. If that is the case, no troubleshooting step above will help, because the code is never sent.

Travellers most often report this with:

  • Meituan (food delivery): the standalone app often rejects foreign numbers, and couriers may need a local number to call you.
  • Bike-share and power-bank rental apps that ask for SMS two-factor login.
  • Parcel lockers and some booking or registration pages that unlock or confirm by SMS.

Your options

  1. Use the mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat instead of the standalone app. Mini-programs log in with your Alipay or WeChat account, so many travellers book DiDi rides this way with a foreign number. Results vary by app, so test before you rely on it.
  2. Buy a Chinese SIM after you land. China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom stores sell SIM cards to foreigners. Bring your passport, because real-name registration is required. This is the most reliable way to get a +86 number that can both receive and send SMS.
  3. Singapore residents: CMLink "1-Card-Multi-Number". CMLink Singapore (China Mobile's Singapore brand) can add a mainland China (+86) or Hong Kong number to your CMLink SIM for S$5.10/month. Codes and calls sent to that number arrive on your Singapore phone. Key conditions from CMLink's terms:
    • Your CMLink number must be active for at least one month before you can apply for a new +86 number, so apply well before your trip.
    • You can apply with a passport of any nationality, plus a short video of you holding your ID.
    • The new number can only receive calls and SMS. It cannot send SMS, make calls or use mobile data.
    • If you cancel the service, the number is gone for good and cannot be restored.
    • CMLink says it cannot guarantee that every Chinese app will accept the number.

    Source: CMLink 1-Card-Multi-Number and its service terms (checked October 2026). We have no affiliate relationship with CMLink.