How to use WeChat in China?

ISAD > The Georg RAJKA International Symposium on Atopic Dermatitis (ISAD) > Venue & Arrival Information > Practical Travel Guide for Foreigners > How to use WeChat in China?

Why use WeChat in the first place?

WeChat is the default application to communicate (WhatsApp does not work in China) and pay in all shops in China.

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

  • Tap Get or Install to download the app.
  • Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) on your phone.
  • Search for WeChat in the search bar.
  • Look for the green square icon featuring two white talking bubbles.

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. Tap Me (我的) in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Tap Settings (设置).
  3. Tap General (通用).
  4. Tap Language (多语言).
  5. Select English and tap Done / Save (保存) in the top-right corner.

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

  1. Launch WeChat and tap Sign Up > Via Mobile.
  2. Tap the country code field to select your home region (e.g., +1 US/Canada, +44 UK, +61 Australia).
  3. Enter your foreign phone number and create an account password.
  4. Accept the Privacy Policy and complete the security verification (puzzle slider).
  5. Enter the SMS verification code sent to your foreign phone number.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 3: Mobile Phone Registration Screen]            |
|                                                             |
|  Sign Up via Mobile                                         |
|                                                             |
|  Name:            [ John Smith            ]                 |
|  Region:          [ United States (+1)  ▼ ]                 |
|  Phone Number:    [ 555-0199              ]                 |
|  Password:        [ ••••••••••            ]                 |
|                                                             |
|  [ Accept & Continue ]                                      |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

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

  1. Tap Me > Services (服务).
  2. Tap Wallet (钱包) > Identity Information (or tap Enable / Verify).
  3. Select Passport as your identity document type.
  4. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport:
    • Full Name: Enter given names and surname in identical sequence.
    • Passport Number
    • Date of Birth & Expiration Date
  5. Upload a clear photograph of your passport photo page and complete the short live facial verification scan if prompted.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 4: Passport Information Entry]                  |
|                                                             |
|  Identity Verification                                      |
|  ID Type:       [ Passport                        ▼ ]       |
|  Full Name:     [ SMITH JOHN ANDREW                 ]       |
|  Passport No:   [ A98765432                         ]       |
|  Valid Until:   [ YYYY-MM-DD                        ]       |
|                                                             |
|  [ Upload Passport Photo ]   [ Face Scan Verification ]     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 5: How to Link an International Bank Card

  1. Tap Me > Services > Wallet > Cards.
  2. Tap + Add Card (or Add Bank Card).
  3. Enter your 16-digit foreign credit or debit card number (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club).
  4. Fill in the card Expiration Date (MM/YY) and 3-digit CVV security code.
  5. Set a 6-Digit Payment Password (PIN). This PIN will be used to approve transactions.
  6. Authorize the card test through 3D Secure verification if prompted by your bank.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 5: Add International Card Screen]               |
|                                                             |
|  Add Bank Card                                              |
|  Card Number:   [ 4111 •••• •••• 1111           ]           |
|  Expires:       [ MM / YY ]   CVV: [ ••• ]                  |
|  Cardholder:    [ JOHN ANDREW 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 > Services > Wallet.
  2. Tap Identity Information at the bottom of the wallet list.
  3. Verify that your status displays “Verified” with a green checkmark.
  4. Verified international accounts feature single transaction limits up to ¥15,000 (~$2,000 USD) and annual cumulative limits up to ¥50,000.
  5. Note: Payments under 200 CNY carry 0% transaction fees; transactions over 200 CNY carry a standard 3% transaction fee.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 6: Verified Identity Status Page]               |
|                                                             |
|  Identity Information                                       |
|  Status: [ ✓ Verified ]                                     |
|                                                             |
|  Name: S***H J*** A****                                     |
|  ID Type: Passport (A987****32)                             |
|  Payment Status: International Card Authorized              |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 7: How to Pay: When You Scan (Scanning Merchant Code)

Use this method when vendors display a printed QR code on a tabletop or counter (e.g., small vendors, street stalls, taxi dashboards).

  1. From the main WeChat screen, tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Scan (扫一扫).
  3. Align your camera with the merchant’s QR code.
  4. Input the total payment amount in RMB (¥).
  5. Select your linked international bank card as the payment method.
  6. Tap Pay and enter your 6-digit Payment Password to finish.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 7: Scan Merchant QR Code Screen]                |
|                                                             |
|  [ + ] Menu  >  [ 📱 Scan ]                                 |
|                                                             |
|  Point camera at merchant's QR code:                        |
|   +-----------------------+                                 |
|   |   ┌───┐       ┌───┐   |   -> Enter Amount: [ ¥45.00 ]   |
|   |   └───┘       └───┘   |   -> Select: Visa (••1111)      |
|   |       [ QR CODE ]     |   -> Enter 6-Digit PIN          |
|   |   ┌───┐               |                                 |
|   |   └───┘               |                                 |
|   +-----------------------+                                 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

Step 8: How to Pay: When You’re Scanned (Showing Payment Code)

Use this method at major retail stores, supermarkets, restaurants, or convenience stores equipped with electronic scanners.

BEWARE: DO NOT SHOW YOUR QRCODE IN THE WILD, EYES ARE EVERYWHERE!

  1. From the main WeChat screen, tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner
    > select Money (收付款) — or go to Me > Services > Money.
  2. Enter your 6-digit payment PIN if prompted to open the payment page.
  3. Your screen will show a dynamic Barcode and QR Code.
  4. Hold your screen up for the cashier to scan with their optical reader.
  5. The transaction completes automatically (or requires your PIN code on screen for larger purchase amounts).
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Screenshot 8: Show Payment Code to Cashier Screen]         |
|                                                             |
|  [ + ] Menu  >  [ 💳 Money ]                                |
|                                                             |
|  +-------------------------------------------------------+  |
|  |  ║█║▌║█║▌│║▌║▌█║ 1234-5678-9012 (Barcode)             |  |
|  |                                                       |  |
|  |                  ┌───┐       ┌───┐                    |  |
|  |                  └───┘       └───┘                    |  |
|  |                      [ QR CODE ]                      |  |
|  |                  ┌───┐                                |  |
|  |                  └───┘                                |  |
|  |  Pay Method: Visa Card (••1111)                       |  |
|  +-------------------------------------------------------+  |
|                                                             |
|  Show code to cashier to complete payment                   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+