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Setup Alipay

Set up Alipay with your international phone number, passport verification, and a linked international bank card before your first payment.

Must know before you go

Foreign tourists can usually use Alipay with an international bank card.

A Chinese bank account is usually not required.

You may still need SMS verification and passport-based identity verification.

Alipay works widely in shops, restaurants, taxis, convenience stores, and many tourist locations.

Some services, discounts, or local features may be limited for non-Chinese users.

For linked international cards, small transactions are often fee-free, while larger payments may include a service fee. Always check the final amount before confirming payment.

Quick summary

The basic setup flow before your first Alipay payment.

1

Download Alipay

Install Alipay from the App Store or Google Play.

2

Register with your phone number

Use your international phone number and make sure you can receive SMS codes.

3

Complete verification if requested

Alipay may ask for security or passport-based identity verification.

4

Add your international bank card

Add your credit or debit card in the Bank Cards section of the app.

5

Pay by QR code

Scan a merchant QR code or show your payment code for the merchant to scan.

Step 1

Download & Register

Download the Alipay app from the App Store or Google Play, then sign up with your international phone number.

1

Search for Alipay in your app store.

2

Install the app.

3

Sign up with your international phone number.

4

Enter the SMS verification code.

  • Your non-Chinese phone number usually works.
  • You must be able to receive SMS verification codes.
  • Using roaming or a travel eSIM is usually fine as long as SMS works for your number.
Download Alipay from the app store

Search for Alipay in the App Store or Google Play.

Register Alipay with an international phone number

Register with your phone number and complete SMS verification.

Step 2

Add Your International Bank Card

After registration, add your international credit or debit card in the app.

1

Tap Account in the bottom-right corner.

2

Tap Bank Cards.

3

Tap Add Bank Card.

4

Enter your card number and details.

5

Your bank may ask for additional verification.

Add international bank card in Alipay

Open Bank Cards and tap Add Bank Card.

Step 3

Verify Your Identity

To activate payment smoothly, you may need to complete identity verification with your passport details.

1

Upload a photo of your passport information page.

2

Complete a face scan if requested.

3

Make sure your name matches your passport exactly.

4

Follow the in-app instructions if Alipay asks for additional account verification.

  • Common issue: if your passport name, bank card name, and app profile name do not match, verification may fail.
Step 4

How to Pay with Alipay

In daily life, there are two common ways to pay with Alipay.

Option A — You scan the merchant QR

Tap Scan in Alipay, point your phone at the merchant’s QR code, enter the amount if needed, and confirm.

Best for:
  • Street vendors
  • Small shops
  • Temporary printed QR codes
  • Markets and casual food stalls
Use Scan in Alipay to scan merchant QR code

Tap Scan to pay a merchant QR code.

Option B — Show your payment code

Tap Pay/Collect, show your QR or bar code to the merchant, and they scan it with their device.

Best for:
  • Supermarkets
  • Convenience stores
  • Chain restaurants
  • Transport counters
Show payment code in Alipay

Tap Pay/Collect and let the merchant scan your code.

Common payment backups

Cash

Useful as a backup, especially if your app, SMS, or mobile data has problems.

Physical bank card

More likely to work in hotels, airports, and larger stores than in small local shops.

Mobile data

Keep roaming or eSIM active when paying, scanning QR codes, or receiving verification messages.

Continue payment setup

Payments OverviewAlipay GuideQR Codes