A Phone Number

Before you begin

Why you need a Chinese phone number

Getting a local phone number is one of your first priorities in Shenzhen. You’ll need it for:

• WeChat registration (essential for daily life)
• Alipay and mobile payments
• Food delivery and ride-hailing apps
• Bank account opening (some banks require it)
• Online shopping (Taobao, JD.com)
• Two-factor authentication for most Chinese services

Without a Chinese number, you’ll be locked out of the digital ecosystem that makes life in Shenzhen work.

Important: eSIM is NOT available for foreigners

As of October 2025, Chinese carriers (China Mobile, Unicom, Telecom) offer eSIM service — but only for Chinese citizens with ID cards.

As a foreigner, you have two options:

1. Physical SIM card (recommended) — Get it at a carrier store
2. International eSIM — Services like eSIMFly (limited functionality, no Chinese phone number)
3. Nihao Mobile — Online service for foreigners, full English interface, mail-order SIM

For full access to Chinese apps and services, get a physical SIM with a real Chinese number.

Check your phone compatibility

Before you go, make sure:

• Phone is unlocked (not locked to your home carrier)
• Supports China 4G/5G bands — Most modern phones do, but check if you have an older device
• No carrier restrictions — Some carrier-locked phones won’t accept foreign SIMs

If your phone isn’t compatible, you can buy an unlocked phone in Shenzhen (Huaqiangbei has many options).

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Which carrier to choose

Shenzhen has three major carriers, plus a newer fourth option:

Carrier	Customer Service	English Service	Signal Coverage	Best For
China Mobile (中国移动)	10086	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Widest coverage, including suburbs and mountains	Recommended — Best for foreigners
China Unicom (中国联通)	10010	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Strong in urban areas, excellent 5G speed	Heavy data users, business districts
China Telecom (中国电信)	10000	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Best in southern China, stable voice calls	Frequent callers, broadband bundles
China Broadnet (中国广电)	10099	⭐⭐	Limited stores, new network	Budget option (if available)

Our recommendation: It depends on where you arrive

Arriving at Airport/Port? → China Unicom

• One-stop service centers at airport and ports (opened January 2025)
• No appointment needed — Walk in and get it done
• English service — Staff accustomed to foreigners
• 外籍来宾短期卡 — Special short-term cards for visitors

Already in the city? → China Mobile

• Most stores — Easy to find help anywhere in Shenzhen
• Best signal — Works everywhere, including suburbs and rural areas
• English app — 10086 app has full English interface
• Most experienced — Handles foreign customers daily

China Telecom is a budget-friendly option with good 5G packages, but fewer English-speaking stores.

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Required documents

You must bring these documents to the carrier store:

Document	Requirement	Notes
Passport	Original, valid 6+ months	Copies not accepted alone — they need to scan the original
Valid visa	Any type (tourist, work, student)	Must be valid on the day of application
Temporary accommodation registration	Bring it if you have it	Some stores require it, some don’t — better to have it
Chinese address	Where you’re staying	Can be hotel, rental, or friend’s address
Chinese phone number	For verification (sometimes)	Some stores ask for a local contact number

You must be present in person (mostly)

Standard process: In-person verification required

Chinese law requires:

• Facial recognition verification
• Photo taken at the store
• Signature on registration forms

This is a national security requirement (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology). Don’t trust anyone offering to “代办” (handle it for you) — it won’t work.

Exception: Online verification (some carriers)

China Unicom and some other carriers now offer online real-name verification:

1. Submit passport scan via carrier’s international website
2. SIM card mailed to your address
3. Scan QR code on packaging
4. Upload passport photo + complete facial recognition
5. Must complete within 72 hours or SIM becomes invalid

Note: Not all carriers support this. Check with your carrier first.

For children under 16: A legal guardian must accompany them with:

• Guardian’s ID card
• Child’s passport
• Proof of guardianship

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Where to get your SIM card

Best option: One-Stop Service Centers (January 2025)

Shenzhen opened three dedicated service centers for foreigners in January 2025. These are your easiest option — no appointment needed, English service, one-stop shop.

Center	Location	Carrier	Hours	Best For
Airport Center	T3 Terminal 1F, International Arrivals East	China Unicom	24h / flight schedule	Arrivals — Get SIM right after landing
Shenzhen Bay Port	Port inspection building entrance	China Unicom	Port hours	HK border crossing
Futian Port	Port Gate 2 exit	China Unicom + banks	Port hours	HK border crossing + bank account

Services available:

• SIM card sales
• Payment setup (Alipay, WeChat Pay)
• Transit card sales
• Tourism information

Recommended store locations (English-friendly)

Futian, Nanshan, and Shekou areas have the most English-speaking staff because they have large expat communities.

Location	Carrier	English Service	Notes
MixC Mall (Futian)	China Mobile	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Central, bilingual staff
Coastal City (Nanshan)	China Mobile/Unicom	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Multiple carriers, good for comparison
Shekou Sea World	China Mobile	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Expat area, English-friendly
Huaqiangbei	China Mobile	⭐⭐⭐	Tech hub, busy but efficient

Store hours

Most carrier stores operate:

• Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
• Major stores: May stay open until 10:00 PM
• Airport/Port counters: Match operating hours (6:00 AM - 11:00 PM)

Hours vary by location — call ahead or check the carrier’s WeChat official account.

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Package options and prices

By length of stay

Stay Duration	Recommended Package	Monthly Cost	Data	Calls
Short-term (1-4 weeks)	Basic tourist package	¥50-80	5-10GB	Limited
Medium-term (1-6 months)	Standard package	¥80-150	20-40GB	Unlimited
Long-term (6+ months)	Premium/5G package	¥150-300	50GB+	Unlimited + intl
Keeping number	保号 (number retention)	¥8/month	Minimal	Minimal

5G packages

All three carriers offer 5G packages:

• 20-50% more expensive than 4G packages
• Speed: Up to 500 Mbps in covered areas
• Coverage: Excellent in Futian, Nanshan, Luohu; good citywide
• Worth it? Yes, if you have a 5G phone and use data heavily

Unlimited data packages

Important: “Unlimited” (不限量) usually means:

• Full speed up to a threshold (e.g., 100GB)
• Throttled to 3G speeds after threshold
• Still usable for messaging, not great for video

Read the fine print before signing up.

Contract terms

Ask these questions before committing:

1. “是否有合约期？” (Is there a contract period?)

   • Standard packages: Usually no contract (can cancel anytime)
   • Promotional packages: May have 3-12 month minimum

2. “提前注销是否有违约金？” (Early termination fee?)

   • No contract: No fee
   • With contract: May owe remaining months or a flat fee

3. “套餐外流量如何计费？” (Overage data charges?)

   • Typical: ¥5-10 per GB over limit
   • Some packages auto-renew with extra data

⚠️ Package traps to watch out for

1. Promotional pricing (优惠期)

What you see: “月租 29 元” (¥29/month)
What it really is: “原套餐 69 元，充值返 40 元” (Original ¥69, ¥40 rebate with top-up)

The catch: The promo lasts 6-12 months, then price jumps to full rate.

Ask: “优惠期多久？” (How long does the promo last?)

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2. First month is prorated (首月按天折算)

Your first month’s fee and data are calculated by remaining days.

Example: Join on day 20 of the month → You get ~10 days of data, not full month.

This is normal — but don’t be surprised when your “100GB” plan shows only 30GB in the first month.

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3. “Unlimited” data isn’t really unlimited (不限量)

What you get:

• Full speed up to a threshold (e.g., 100GB)
• Throttled to 3G speeds after threshold (128kbps or less)

Fine print: “达量降速” (speed reduction after limit)

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4. Data in China is limited (unlike some countries)

Chinese plans typically have hard data caps:

• Overage charges are high (¥5-10/GB)
• No true “unlimited” plans like in some Western countries

Tip: Turn off mobile data when not using. Use Wi-Fi where available.

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Step-by-step: Getting your SIM

At the store

Step 1: Take a number

Most stores have a queue system. Tell the guard you want “办手机卡” (get a SIM card) — they’ll direct you to the right counter.

Step 2: Submit documents

Hand over your passport. The staff will:

• Scan your passport
• Take your photo (for facial recognition)
• Verify your visa status

Step 3: Choose your package

Discuss your needs:

• How long are you staying?
• How much data do you need?
• Do you make many calls?

Step 4: Sign and pay

• Sign the registration forms (may be in Chinese — ask for help)
• Pay the first month’s fee + any deposit
• Get your SIM card and receipt

Step 5: Activation

• Staff will insert the SIM and test it
• Make a test call
• Show you how to check balance and data usage

⚠️ Important: You must activate the SIM within 10 days of receiving it, or it will be automatically cancelled.

Total time: 30-60 minutes (longer if queue is busy)

Language tips

Not all staff speak English. Have these phrases ready (or show them on your phone):

Chinese	Pinyin	English
我要办手机卡	Wǒ yào bàn shǒujī kǎ	I want to get a SIM card
我是外国人	Wǒ shì wàiguó rén	I am a foreigner
有英文服务吗？	Yǒu Yīngwén fúwù ma?	Is there English service?
我要流量多的套餐	Wǒ yào liúliàng duō de tàocān	I want a package with lots of data
不要合约	Bú yào héyuē	No contract please
多少钱一个月？	Duōshǎo qián yí gè yuè?	How much per month?

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Cost breakdown

One-time costs

Item	Cost
SIM card	Free (most packages)
First month’s fee	¥50-300 (depends on package)
Deposit	¥0-100 (some packages require it)

Ongoing costs

Item	Cost
Monthly fee	¥50-300 (depends on package)
Extra data	¥5-10 per GB
International calls	¥0.19-1.99 per minute (varies by country)

Payment methods

Good news (2025-2026): Foreign cards are now widely accepted!

China Unicom:

• 500+ stores nationwide accept Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Diners Club
• Shenzhen airport area: 90%+ foreign card acceptance rate

At the store, you can pay with:

• Cash (RMB)
• Foreign credit cards (Visa/MasterCard at major stores)
• WeChat Pay / Alipay (link your foreign card)

For ongoing top-ups:

• WeChat Pay — Most convenient (Me → Mobile Top-Up)
• Alipay — Same as WeChat
• Carrier app — China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom apps (some accept foreign cards)
• Convenience stores — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, etc. (cash only)

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Important: International roaming

The problem

International roaming on Chinese SIM cards is extremely expensive:

• Voice calls: ¥1.99-9.99 per minute
• Data: ¥0.49-3.00 per MB
• SMS: ¥0.39-1.00 per message

A few hours of background data usage abroad can result in a ¥500-1000 bill.

The solution: Turn it OFF

Before leaving China, disable international roaming:

China Mobile:

• Send SMS: GMKT to 10086
• Or call 10086 and request

China Unicom:

• Send SMS: GBGJMY to 10010
• Or call 10010 and request

China Telecom:

• Send SMS: GBGJMY to 10000
• Or call 10000 and request

Alternative: Use a travel eSIM or local SIM when traveling abroad, and keep your Chinese SIM in a safe place.

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Canceling your number

When to cancel

• Leaving China permanently
• Switching to a different carrier
• No longer need the number

How to cancel

Option 1: In person (recommended)

1. Visit a carrier store (bring passport)
2. Request cancellation (注销)
3. Pay any outstanding balance
4. Get cancellation confirmation

Option 2: SMS/Phone

• Send SMS to carrier hotline (10086/10010/10000)
• Or call and request
• May require follow-up visit

Option 3: Carrier app

• Some carriers allow app-based cancellation
• Navigate to account settings
• Look for “注销” (cancel) option

Option 4: Short-term tourist packages

• Some tourist packages support automatic cancellation after departure
• Ask when signing up: “离境后自动注销吗？” (Auto-cancel after leaving?)

Before canceling

Important: Make sure to:

• Update your WeChat/Alipay to a new number (or keep this one active)
• Inform your bank (if this number is linked)
• Transfer any important contacts
• Pay all outstanding bills

Number retention (保号):

If you might return to China, consider the ¥8/month “保号” package to keep your number active without using it.

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Common problems and solutions

Problem: Store refuses to serve foreigners

Why: Some smaller stores don’t want the paperwork hassle.

Solution:

• Go to a larger store (mall locations, flagship stores)
• Try a different carrier
• Call the carrier hotline and ask which stores serve foreigners

Problem: No English-speaking staff

Solution:

• Use translation apps (WeChat has built-in translation)
• Bring a Chinese friend
• Go to expat-heavy areas (Shekou, Futian)
• Show them this guide (they’ll understand)

Problem: SIM stops working after a few days

Why: May be improperly registered or flagged.

Solution:

• Return to the store with your passport
• Ask them to re-verify your registration
• Call carrier hotline (they have English service)

Problem: Can’t receive SMS验证码 (verification codes)

Why: Common issue with newly activated SIMs.

Solution:

• Wait 24 hours (sometimes takes time to activate fully)
• Restart your phone
• Contact carrier if still not working after 48 hours

Problem: Data is slow

Why: May be on 3G/4G instead of 5G, or in a low-coverage area.

Solution:

• Check your phone settings (ensure 5G is enabled)
• Move to a different location
• Contact carrier to check if your SIM is 5G-enabled

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Need help?

Carrier hotlines (English service available)

Carrier	Phone	English Service Hours
China Mobile	10086	24/7 (press 3 for English)
China Unicom	10010	24/7 (press 3 for English)
China Telecom	10000	24/7 (press 3 for English)

Official resources

Resource	Link	Notes
China Mobile	https://www.10086.cn/	English app available
China Unicom	https://www.10010.com/	Best for airport arrivals
China Telecom	https://www.189.cn/	Budget 5G packages
”i Shenzhen” APP	Search in app store	Foreigner service guide (Aug 2025)
Shenzhen Foreigner Platform	https://wgfw.ga.sz.gov.cn/	Multi-language
Shenzhen Police	http://ga.sz.gov.cn/	Accommodation registration
MIIT (National)	https://www.miit.gov.cn/	Telecom regulations

Community support

• HeyShenzhen Discord — Ask other expats for recommendations
• HeyShenzhen Facebook Group — Real-time advice
• HeyShenzhen WeChat Group — Local tips

Need help?

HeyShenzhen Community

Information changes frequently in Shenzhen. While we strive to keep our guides accurate and up-to-date, the latest information is often best found by asking in our community groups.

Join our community to get real-time updates, tips, and suggestions from our members:

• Discord - For general discussions and quick questions
• Facebook - For community updates and events
• WeChat: Add me (ID: jayjenxi)

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Related guides

• Registering Your Address in Shenzhen

• Opening a Bank Account in Shenzhen

• Moving to Shenzhen: Complete Guide

• Finding an Apartment in Shenzhen

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Latest policy updates

January 2026: State Council simplifies foreigner phone card process

The State Council General Office released《“高效办成一件事”2026 年度第一批重点事项清单》, which includes:

“外籍来华人员办理电话卡事项” (Foreigner phone card registration)

What this means: The Chinese government is actively working to simplify the phone card process for foreigners. Expect:

• More English-speaking stores
• Streamlined online verification
• Better foreign card acceptance
• Clearer package information in English

Shenzhen is leading this initiative as part of building an “international metropolitan city.”

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Last updated: 2026-03-17
Sources: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom official policies; Ministry of Industry and Information Technology regulations; State Council January 2026 policy update