How to use Alipay in China?

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Why use Alipay in the first place?

Alipay is the default application to pay for your transportation services in Beijing (and all of China in general).

The application is city-centric (you need to select Beijing), can be installed from your favorite store on any smartphone (Android or iOS), and offers an interface in English + AI translated.

Please follow the steps below to get prepared!

Step 1: How to Get the App

  1. Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) on your smartphone.
  • Search for Alipay in the search bar.
  • Look for the official blue icon featuring the white Chinese character “支”.
  • Tap Get or Install to download the app.

    ➜ IF IT DOESN’T SHOW UP: open mobile.alipay.com and download + install your compatible version

Step 2: How to Set the App Language to English

If the app opens in Chinese by default, follow these steps to switch to English:

  1. Open Alipay and tap Me (我的) in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Tap the Settings gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap General (通用).
  4. Tap Language (多语言 / Language).
  5. Select English and tap Save (保存) in the top-right corner.

Step 3: How to Set Up an Account with a Foreign Phone Number

  1. Open Alipay and tap Sign Up / Register.
  2. Tap the default area code (e.g., +86) to open the region list.
  3. Select your home country code (e.g., +1 US/Canada, +44 UK, +61 Australia).
  4. Enter your foreign mobile phone number.
  5. Tap Next to receive an SMS verification code.
  6. Enter the 4 to 6-digit SMS code and agree to the Terms of Service.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 3: Mobile Phone Registration Screen]            |
|                                                             |
|  Welcome to Alipay                                          |
|                                                             |
|  Country/Region:  [ +1 (United States)  ▼ ]                 |
|  Phone Number:    [ 555-0199              ]                 |
|                                                             |
|  [ ✓ ] I agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy                |
|  [               Get Verification Code                ]     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 4: How to Enter Passport Information (Real-Name Verification)

  1. Tap Me in the bottom-right corner, then tap Settings (⚙️).
  2. Select Account & Security > Identity Information (or tap Verify Now).
  3. Choose Passport as your document type and select your home country/region.
  4. Enter your details exactly as shown on your passport:
    • Full Name: Enter given name(s) and surname matching the passport page format.
    • Passport Number
    • Date of Birth & Passport Expiry Date
  5. Take a clear photo of your passport’s main photo page when prompted.
  6. Complete the live facial scan (ensure good lighting and remove glasses or hats).
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 4: Passport Verification Form]                  |
|                                                             |
|  Identity Verification                                      |
|  Document Type: [ Passport                        ▼ ]       |
|  Full Name:     [ SMITH JANE MARY                   ]       |
|  Passport No:   [ A12345678                         ]       |
|  Expiry Date:   [ YYYY-MM-DD                        ]       |
|                                                             |
|  [ Upload Passport Photo ]   [ Start Facial Recognition ]   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 5: How to Link an International Bank Card

  1. Tap Me > Bank Cards (or Wallet > Cards).
  2. Tap + Add Card / Add Bank Card.
  3. Enter your 16-digit credit or debit card number (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club supported).
  4. Input the Expiration Date (MM/YY) and 3-digit CVV code.
  5. Create a 6-digit Alipay Payment Password (you will enter this PIN code to authorize transactions).
  6. Complete 3D Secure verification via SMS or your mobile banking app if requested by your issuing bank.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 5: Add International Card Screen]               |
|                                                             |
|  Add Bank Card                                              |
|  Card Number:   [ 4532 •••• •••• 8901           ]           |
|  Expires:       [ MM / YY ]   CVV: [ ••• ]                  |
|  Cardholder:    [ JANE MARY SMITH               ]           |
|                                                             |
|  Supported: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, Diners         |
|  [                       Submit                       ]     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 6: How to Check That Payment Limits Are Removed

Unverified accounts face strict payment caps or declined transactions. To verify your account status and unlocked limits:

  1. Tap Me > Settings (⚙️) > Account & Security > Identity Information.
  2. Check the status badge at the top:
    • It should show “Verified” or “Authenticated” in green/blue text.
  3. Verified accounts allow single transactions up to ¥15,000 (~$2,000 USD) and standard annual limits.
  4. Note: Transactions under 200 CNY incur 0% platform fee; payments above 200 CNY carry a standard 3% processor fee.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 6: Verified Identity Status Page]               |
|                                                             |
|  Identity Information                                       |
|  Status: [ ✓ Verified / Authenticated ]                     |
|                                                             |
|  Name: S***H J*** M***                                      |
|  Passport: A123****78                                       |
|  Account Limits: Standard Foreign Traveler Tier (Active)    |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 7: How to Switch to Beijing & Install Public Transport Cards

  1. On the Alipay home screen, check the top-left corner. Tap the city name and select Beijing.
  2. Tap the Transport icon (🚌/🚆) on the main function grid.
  3. Select the Metro or Bus tab at the top.
  4. Tap Agree and Obtain Card / Activate Now for the Beijing Public Transport QR Code.
  5. Confirm your linked card as the deduction method and enter your 6-digit payment password to authorize auto-pay.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 7: Beijing Transport Pass Activation]           |
|                                                             |
|  Location: [ Beijing ▼ ]                                    |
|  Transport  >  [ Metro ]  /  [ Bus ]                        |
|                                                             |
|  Beijing Subway QR Pass                                     |
|  Pay Method: Visa / Mastercard (••8901)                     |
|  [             Agree & Open Transport Pass            ]     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 8: How to Use the Metro Card at Gate Barriers

After the security scan check of your bags:

  1. Before Approaching Turnstiles:
    Open Alipay > Tap Transport (or tap Pay/Collect and select Transport) to generate your dynamic Beijing Metro QR Code. Increase phone screen brightness.
  2. Entering the Station (Tap-In):
    Hold your phone screen face-down over the optical scanner window on the turnstile gate barrier. Wait for the green light and beep, then walk through.
  3. Exiting the Station (Tap-Out):
    At your destination station, pull up the same QR code and scan it at the exit gate barrier.
  4. Automatic Billing:
    The ride fare is calculated automatically based on distance and debited directly from your linked foreign bank card.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 8: Beijing Metro Gate Reader Scanning]          |
|                                                             |
|  +-----------------------+                                  |
|  |   [ Beijing Metro QR ]|                                  |
|  |     |█║▌║█║██║▌█||    |   --->  Scan on Turnstile        |
|  |     Auto-Pay Active   |         Glass Scanner            |
|  +-----------------------+                                  |
|                                                             |
|  [Tap In at Entrance Gate]  ->  [Tap Out at Exit Gate]      |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+