Woof, public transport doesn't usually get this much buzz! If you've been on the internet at all the last four days, you've probably heard something about how those inconvenient plastic cards that fit into any standard wallet have been supplanted by the far superior shiny talky magic box in your pocket; just scan a QR code and breeze through the turnstiles. Unless you're a foreigner. Let us explain.

*** The app everyone's losing their heads about is metro大都会. It provides info about metro stations, helps you plan routes, and tells you where the nearest restroom is. As of this weekend, it can also generate a QR code that you can use as a metro ticket at any of the new turnstiles. They look like this: The Green Eye There are currently at least two at all stations. To use it, download and open the app, hit the button in the bottom center with the ticket on it, press the big button marked 登录, sign in using your Alipay or by linking your bank account-- whoa. hold up. Here's where we hit a snag. Linking to your (foreign passport) Alipay account runs into an error, and linking to your Unionpay card requires a shenfenzheng (身份证) or ID card, which you don't have unless you're a Chinese citizen. Pictured, Chinese citizen having no difficulty scanning QR code.

So... what now?

So, either steal your Chinese friend's identity (a whole 'nother article), or wait until that hot Passport Bugfix rolls out to foreigners in (probably) a couple of months. Meanwhile, make sure your phone has at least Bluetooth 4.0. Bluetooth must be on when you scan the QR code. Apparently it's a security measure. Or you could just use a Shanghai Metro Card, which doesn't need Bluetooth and works on all turnstiles, buses and even taxis. If you're a filthy Luddite. *** Metro大都会 is currently available on most Android stores and the iOS Store, but not on Google Play