Download Alipay and Sign Up with Your Phone Number

Get the latest version of the app from your app store or download at Alipay's website

There's just one Alipay app, but inside the app you can switch between an English "International Version" and a Chinese local version. Both versions have slightly different features.

Once you've installed the app, follow the registration steps with either a local Chinese or foreign phone number. Using a foreign phone number will automatically register you for the International Version.

Add Your Bank Card

Tap "Me" in the bottom-right corner, then tap "Bank Cards".

These foreign cards are currently accepted:

• Visa Card
• Master Cards
• Diners Club
• Discover

A few Tips on Adding Your Cart

When adding a local Chinese UnionPay card, you need to make sure that your personal information matches exactly the way it is registered at the bank, in the name order and with the same middle names as on your bank account (note that some banks switch first name and last name). If you run into any errors after completing the information, it means that your bank records are somehow different from what you have entered.

Make Payments!

Your bank card will now appear in the "Bank Cards" section. With that, you can make purchases with your phone just about anywhere in China.

There are two common ways of paying with Alipay:

If are you are presented with a QR code, tap the Scan button to scan and pay. That's more common in smaller shops.

In most restaurants and supermarkets, they will scan your QR code. Just tap the Pay/Collect Icon and present the QR code that shows.

Alipay will also now be an automatic option for payments within mobile apps like Didi, Meituan, and of course, Taobao. Here's all the other things you can do.