3 Methods to Obtain a Local Chinese Phone Number Outside of China

There are numerous situations where you might need a Chinese phone number, whether it's for travel, business, or SMS verification for various online services. Services like WeChat, Alipay, or even Chinese online games often require a local number to function, and preparation is key. In recent years, the demand for Chinese local phone numbers has increased, especially for sudden verification requirements when using online services.

This article introduces three risk-free and instant ways to obtain a Chinese phone number.

When Do You Need a Chinese Phone Number?

A Chinese phone number is often required when traveling to or conducting business in China or when using domestic online services. Specific services that typically require a Chinese phone number include:

1. WeChat: China's most popular messaging app, essential for payments and communication.
2. Alipay: An electronic payment service used for both online and offline transactions.
3. Taobao: The largest online shopping platform in China, requiring phone number registration for purchases.
4. JD.com: An e-commerce platform where phone numbers are needed for order processing and tracking.
5. Didi Chuxing: A ride-hailing service, similar to Uber, where phone numbers are needed.
6. Meituan: An app for food delivery and hotel reservations, requiring phone numbers as a contact method.
7. Baidu Maps: A navigation app for sharing locations.
8. Tmall: A major shopping platform similar to Taobao, requiring phone numbers for registration.
9. Ctrip: A travel booking service that uses phone numbers for hotel and flight reservations.
10. Tencent Video: A video streaming service requiring a phone number for premium content.
11. Bilibili: A video sharing platform where SMS authentication is used for account registration.
12. NetEase Cloud Music: A music streaming service where a phone number is required for account creation and payments.

All these services have one thing in common: SMS verification is necessary for account creation and usage. Having a Chinese phone number makes using these convenient services much smoother.

Why is Phone Number Verification so Common in China?

Unlike many European or Asian countries, Chinese web services frequently ask for phone numbers. There are two main reasons behind this: Chinese political regulations and the development history of the internet in China.

Firstly, the real-name registration system has been introduced in China to strengthen identity verification for internet users. Most online services require phone numbers to verify user identity since phone numbers are easily traceable by the government. This helps prevent fraudulent accounts and is part of broader efforts to combat online fraud and other malicious activities.

Secondly, the widespread use of mobile phones played a significant role in China’s internet development. Many people got smartphones before they owned PCs, and as a result, most web services were developed with a mobile-first approach, making phone numbers the default user ID. These factors explain why phone number verification is prevalent in China.
Outside of business, email usage is actually low in China, with phone numbers playing a more important role than in other countries.

3 Methods to Obtain a Chinese Phone Number from Abroad

(1) Purchasing from Local Shops or Airport Facilities

One of the most reliable ways to obtain a Chinese phone number is to buy a SIM card at a local mobile shop or airport facility after arriving in China.
In major airports in Chinese cities, SIM cards can be purchased right after arrival, and there are many data and communication plan options. All you need is your passport or other identification.

The best part of this method is that you can activate and use the SIM card immediately after purchase. If you're in China for business or other purposes, this is a sure and safe way to get a phone number.
You can choose between prepaid SIMs and monthly plans, depending on your budget and needs.

However, the biggest challenge is that you actually need to travel to China. For those without plans to visit, the cost of flying just to buy a phone number is impractical.

(2) Buying a SIM or eSIM Online

If you're not going to China, buying a SIM card or eSIM online is a very convenient option.

The benefit of purchasing online is that you can prepare your communication environment before you arrive. This saves time and lets you use your SIM card immediately upon arrival.
Online purchases are easy, and for example, China Unicom's SIM cards are available on Amazon.com.

However, there are a few things to be cautious about:

• Ensure the SIM supports roaming outside China. SIMs without roaming capability won’t work abroad.
• Make sure the SIM supports voice calls, not just data. Data-only SIMs are sold cheaply, but they don't allow phone calls or SMS.

Also, during activation, due to Chinese regulations, you'll be required to submit a passport copy. This method isn't suitable for privacy-conscious users.

(3) Using SMSOnline to Receive SMS Online

Lastly, using SMSOnline, a platform to receive SMS online, is a hassle-free option for obtaining a Chinese phone number.
Here’s how SMSOnline works:

• Numbers procured by the SMSOnline team or local collaborators are published on the platform.
• These numbers are connected to always-online smartphones in China, monitoring SMS in real-time. Once a message is received, it is relayed to the SMSOnline server and displayed on the website.

The whole process takes around 10 minutes. With no registration or fees required, SMSOnline is one of the safest and easiest ways for global users to obtain a Chinese number.

Checking Temporary Chinese Phone Numbers

SMSOnline is incredibly easy to use.
First, check the list of available Chinese phone numbers from the link below.

https://www.smsonline.cloud/country/China

SMSOnline has over 15 available Chinese numbers in stock.
These numbers are listed on the website with supplemental information such as the date added, user ratings, and the last time a message was received.
Click on the number with the highest user rating!

Receiving Messages

When you select a phone number from the list, a page like the one above will appear.
On this page, you can clearly see the SMS messages received by the selected number.
The message reception status is constantly monitored, and you will be notified as soon as a new SMS arrives.

Here's an example of registering for Wuthering Waves (China version).
When signing in to a Chinese website, you will be asked to enter a Chinese phone number starting with +86.

Just like entering your own number, you can input the phone number provided by SMSOnline. Once you complete the input, proceed to request an SMS.

Wait a moment on the SMSOnline website.
The received SMS will be displayed shortly after.

If receiving a message takes more than 10 minutes, the following issues might be occurring:

• If many users request SMS simultaneously, message delivery may be delayed due to carrier constraints.
• The phone number is already in use by another user.
• The phone number is blacklisted by the service.

In such cases, wait a few minutes and try again, or use a different phone number.

• Join our Telegram channel to get notified when new numbers are added.

Once you enter the verification code, you're all set! You can now successfully log into the website.
The entire process takes a maximum of 10 minutes. It's very simple.

SMSOnline offers temporary phone numbers that can be used worldwide.
These numbers are acquired directly by the SMSOnline team through partnerships with local providers or are provided by SMSOnline fans in different regions for compensation.

All these phone numbers are funded by ad revenue, so users don't need to pay a cent. Additionally, the phone numbers are regularly rotated, so if a number is in use, a new one will be available soon after a short wait.

Get your Chinese phone number from SMSOnline today!

https://www.smsonline.cloud/