How to Get a Chinese Phone Number in Shenzhen

A Chinese phone number is not optional if you are staying more than two weeks. You need one for SMS verification, local service registration, Didi, Meituan, bank apps, and landlord coordination. Without one, you are cut off from most local infrastructure.

The process is straightforward, costs ¥50 to 100 per month [$7 to 14], and takes one visit.

Who this is for

You are staying in Shenzhen for 2+ weeks and want to move beyond eSIM or roaming. You will use the number for apps, delivery, ride-hailing, and local life. Your passport is the only required document.

Short-term visitors (less than 5 days) can skip this and rely on international roaming or eSIM. Everyone else should pick up a local SIM by day 2.

The short version

Bring your passport. Visit an official carrier store (China Mobile 中国移动, China Unicom 中国联通, or China Telecom 中国电信). Choose a plan (¥50 to 100 per month). Complete registration (10 min form, they photograph your passport). Install SIM, test calls and SMS. Link your number to Alipay, WeChat Pay, and critical apps.

Avoid: airport kiosks (markup, limited plans), locked phones (confirm before arrival), and assuming your number will work everywhere (some apps have regional restrictions).

Before you arrive

Prepare:

• Passport (original or copy; they will photocopy it).
• Backup internet: eSIM, roaming, or hotel WiFi for if your first SIM fails.
• Unlocked phone: confirm before arrival (Apple devices sold outside China are usually unlocked; Android varies by brand and region).
• Know which carrier’s store is near your accommodation (ask hotel, or use Amap search “营业厅”).

Test your phone’s SIM slot:

• Power off, remove current SIM (if any), look at the SIM tray. It should accept a standard nano-SIM (the smallest size). All three Chinese carriers use nano-SIM.
• If your phone is recent (2018+), it is likely unlocked. Older phones or carrier-specific models may be locked. Confirm before entering the store.

The three carriers: comparison

Recommendation: China Mobile if you travel outside Shenzhen (better countryside coverage). Unicom or Telecom if you stay downtown (faster 4G, younger infrastructure).

Step-by-step

Step 1: locate the carrier store

What you do:

1. Open Amap (Chinese Google Maps).
2. Search: “中国移动营业厅” (China Mobile store) or “中国联通营业厅” or “中国电信营业厅”.
3. Nearest store should be 0.5 to 2 km away (Shenzhen is densely covered).
4. Check hours (most open 9am to 5:30pm; most closed 1 to 2 hours for lunch around 12 to 1:30pm).
5. Go during off-peak (10 to 11am or 3 to 4pm; lunch hours mean long queues).

Where you go:

• Any official carrier 营业厅. They sit in strip malls, next to metro stations, or inside shopping centres.

Expected cost: Transport (Didi) ¥10 to 20 [$1 to 3]

Time: 30 min (including walk or ride and queue)

Failure modes:

• Store closed for lunch: go back at 1:30pm or try a different location.
• Wrong address shown on Amap: confirm the name is “营业厅” (not a distributor or reseller).

Step 2: get a queue ticket and approach the counter

What you do:

1. Enter the store.
2. At the entrance, find a ticket dispenser machine (电子号码机). Press the button labeled “新办套餐” (new plan) or similar.
3. Take the ticket (it shows a number, like 003).
4. Wait for your number to appear on the digital display above the desks.
5. Go to the desk when called.
6. Hand your passport to the staff.
7. Say (or show on your phone translated): “我要开一个新号码，月租套餐。” (I want a new number with a monthly plan.)

Time: 15 min (queue plus registration)

Failure modes:

• You are called but cannot find the desk: look at the display number and walk to the desk labeled with that number.
• The form is entirely in Chinese: ask the staff to point to each line, and use Google Translate camera to confirm.

Step 3: choose your plan

What you do:

1. Staff will show you a leaflet or screen with available plans.
2. For most users: choose the ¥50 to 99 per month option (5GB data, 100 min calls, unlimited SMS).
3. Point to the one you want, or the staff will recommend the popular one.
4. Confirm the price and validity (usually 1 month = 30 days, then auto-renews).
5. Complete the form (they will guide you).
6. Pay: hand over your foreign card, cash, or UnionPay if you have one.

Plan details (as of May 2026):

• ¥50 plan: 5GB data, 100 minutes domestic calls, unlimited SMS. Suits light users.
• ¥99 plan: 10GB data, 200 minutes, unlimited SMS. Suits moderate users with travel.
• ¥199 plan: 20GB data, 300 minutes, unlimited SMS. Overkill for most people.

Recommendation: Start with ¥50 to 99. You can upgrade anytime by visiting a store or using the carrier’s app.

Time: 5 to 10 min

Failure modes:

• Your foreign card is declined: carrier terminals sometimes reject non-Chinese cards. Ask if they accept cash or UnionPay. If not, use Alipay (scan their terminal code).
• Plan is out of stock (rare): staff will suggest the next tier up.

Step 4: complete registration and receive your number

What you do:

1. Fill out the form (staff guide you line by line):
   • Name (English or passport name)
   • Passport number
   • Nationality
   • Address in Shenzhen (your hotel or temporary accommodation)
2. Staff photograph your passport (do not be alarmed; it is standard).
3. You sign the form in English or a simple character.
4. Staff hand you: the new SIM card (sealed in a sleeve), receipt, and a leaflet with your plan details.
5. They will say: “你的号码是…” (Your number is…). Write this down immediately or take a photo of the receipt.

Time: 5 min

Failure modes:

• They forget to write down your number on the receipt: ask them to repeat it and type it into your phone’s Notes app right then. Do not leave without confirming the number.
• SIM is defective (rare): ask the staff to test it in-store on one of their display phones.

Step 5: install the SIM and activate

What you do:

1. Leave the store with your new SIM.
2. Find a quiet place (your hotel, a café, anywhere with a flat surface).
3. Power off your phone.
4. Remove your old SIM (if any).
5. Install the new Chinese SIM into the tray. It should slide in smoothly.
6. Close the tray and power on your phone.
7. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the network to register.
8. You will see “中国移动” (or Unicom or Telecom) appear in the status bar.
9. Test: open Contacts, dial a friend or your old number, or send an SMS.

Time: 5 min

Failure modes:

• Phone says “No SIM Card”: you installed it upside down. Power off, flip it, power on.
• “Searching for service” for 5+ minutes: restart the phone. If it persists, the SIM may be defective (return to store) or your phone may be incompatible.
• Data is slow: move outside and retry. Usually resolves in 24 hours.

Step 6: link your number to Alipay, WeChat Pay, and apps

What you do:

1. Open Alipay.
2. Go to “Me” (bottom right) → “Settings” → “Phone Number Management” → “Verify New Number.”
3. Enter your new Chinese number.
4. Alipay sends an SMS verification code to your new SIM.
5. Enter the code. Alipay now recognises your Chinese number and unlocks higher transaction limits (¥5,000/day instead of ¥1,000/day).
6. Repeat for WeChat Pay: “Me” → “Settings” → “Phone Number.”
7. Update critical apps: Didi, Meituan, your bank apps.

Time: 10 min

Failure modes:

• SMS never arrives: wait 5 minutes (network delay). If nothing after 5 min, restart your phone or open your carrier’s app and check your account.
• Alipay rejects the code: copy the entire SMS and paste it into Alipay (do not retype; typos are easy).

Costs

What goes wrong

1. SIM registration is rejected because of visa type

• Problem: The staff say your tourist visa or short-term visa cannot be registered.
• Reason: Some staff are over-cautious about visa types. In reality, all visa types allow basic SIM registration.
• Fix: Politely ask to speak to a manager, or try a different carrier’s store. If you continue to have issues, contact us. We can arrange an alternative route.

2. Phone never recognises the network

• Problem: After installing the SIM, your phone is stuck on “Searching for service”.
• Reason: The phone is region-locked, or the SIM is defective, or your phone does not support the carrier’s 4G bands.
• Fix: Power off, wait 30 sec, power on. If it persists, go back to the store and ask staff to test the SIM in a display phone. If it works in their phone, your phone is locked.

3. You cannot remember your number after leaving the store

• Problem: The staff said your number verbally and you did not write it down.
• Reason: The receipt is in Chinese and does not look like a typical bill.
• Fix: Your carrier has it on file. Call the carrier’s hotline (visible on your receipt) and provide your passport number. Or log into the carrier’s app (download China Mobile, Unicom, or Telecom app) and view your account.

4. Your old international apps do not recognise the new number

• Problem: Didi, Meituan, your bank app show your old number, not your new Chinese one.
• Reason: The app’s backend is still linked to your old phone. Changing the SIM does not auto-update the app’s profile.
• Fix: Log out of each app, log back in using your new phone number as the login (instead of email), and re-verify with the SMS code.

5. You want to switch carriers mid-month

• Problem: You got China Mobile but want to switch to Unicom. It is only day 5.
• Reason: Switching is technically possible (number portability, 携号转网) but takes 7 days and requires a store visit.
• Fix: Not worth it. Stay with China Mobile until your plan expires (30 days), then do not renew and go to Unicom.

Decision tree

• Staying less than 5 days: Skip Chinese SIM. Use roaming or eSIM.
• Staying 1 to 4 weeks: Get China Mobile or Unicom entry plan (¥50/mo). Basic data plus SMS verification is enough.
• Staying 1 to 6 months: Get ¥99 plan with 10GB data. Sufficient for daily life.
• Staying 6+ months and travel often: China Mobile for nationwide coverage.
• Staying 6+ months in central Shenzhen only: Unicom or Telecom for faster 4G.

When to pay for help

Hire us if:

• Your phone is locked and you cannot use a Chinese SIM (we have a process to unlock or get you a loaner phone).
• Your passport has non-standard visas and the carrier staff are refusing registration (we have relationships with carriers and can expedite).
• You want a second number for business or privacy reasons (we can set you up with a proper business plan and accounting).
• You need enterprise-grade stable connectivity for work (we can bundle phone setup with an enterprise home network, dual-WAN, or mobile failover setup).

Related links

• First 72 Hours in Shenzhen
• WeChat Pay and Alipay for Foreigners
• How to Rent an Apartment in Shenzhen

Last reviewed: 23 May 2026