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

  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.