How to Use Alipay

Super Detailed Guide for Foreigners

Alipay is one of the most practical payment tools for travelers in China. Alipay’s international version is designed for overseas travelers, and its official materials say users can download the app, choose the international version after sign-up, and bind an eligible international bank card to pay in the Chinese mainland. It can be used for daily spending in stores, taxis, public transport, flights, and hotels, and it also includes useful travel features such as translation and currency conversion.

This guide is written for foreign visitors who want a clean, reliable setup process without confusion. If you get stuck while you are in Xi’an, you can message me on WhatsApp at +86 158 7753 7303 for quick help.

Part 1. What You Need Before You Start

Before opening Alipay, prepare the following:

• A mobile phone with the Alipay app installed

• A valid passport

• An eligible international bank card, such as a Visa or Mastercard issued outside mainland China

• A mobile number that can receive SMS verification codes

Alipay’s official travel pages say overseas users can sign up, choose the international version, and link international cards issued outside mainland China. Its official FAQ also says these cards support daily purchases in the Chinese mainland.

A few practical points matter here:

1. Use your real name exactly as it appears on your passport.

2. Keep your passport nearby during setup.

3. Make sure your bank card is enabled for overseas transactions.

4. Use a phone number you can actually receive messages on.

Part 2. Download and Register the App

Open your app store, download Alipay, and register with your mobile number. Alipay’s official instructions for overseas travelers say to download the app, enter your mobile number, and complete registration from there.

After registration, switch to the international version if the app prompts you to do so. In Alipay’s own wording, the international version is tailored for overseas travelers to China.

At this stage, do not try to rush. The first goal is not to pay immediately. The first goal is to make sure the account is created correctly and the identity details match your passport.

Part 3. Verify Your Identity and Link Your Bank Card

After registration, go to the card-linking or verification flow inside the app and follow the prompts.

Alipay’s own overseas traveler materials show that the app may request identity and passport information during activation, and that an international bank card can be used to complete the setup. The official service agreement for overseas travelers also states that passport information and contact details may be collected for activation and verification, and that the user must provide an international card issued by a supported card network.

A clean setup usually follows this sequence:

1. Open the “Me” or account area.

2. Find the card or payment settings.

3. Add your international card.

4. Enter the card number, expiry date, and security code as prompted.

5. Confirm the SMS or bank verification step.

6. Wait for the app to finish verification.

Once your card is accepted, you should be able to use Alipay for everyday spending in the mainland. Alipay’s official FAQ says international bank cards support payments for daily purchases in mainland China, but not person-to-person transfers, red packets, wealth management, insurance, or other financial services. 

Part 4. How to Pay with Alipay in China

Once the app is ready, you will usually pay in one of two ways.

Method 1: Scan the merchant’s QR code

This is the most common way. You open Alipay, tap Scan, and scan the merchant’s code.

Method 2: Show your payment code

If the merchant scans from your phone, open the payment code and let the cashier scan it.

Alipay’s international travel page says overseas travelers can use the app to pay in shops, by taxi, on public transport, and for other travel-related services in mainland China. It also says the app can help with translation and currency conversion.

For a foreign traveler, the best practice is simple:

• Keep the app open before checkout

• Make sure your card is still linked

• Watch the amount carefully before confirming

• Save screenshots of important transactions if you need receipts later

If a payment fails, do not keep repeating the same action too many times. Check the card status, the network, and whether the merchant accepts Alipay. Sometimes the issue is not your account; it is the merchant terminal or the payment route.

Part 5. Restrictions, Common Problems, and FAQ

There are a few limitations every foreign user should understand.

According to Alipay’s official FAQ, international bank cards added to Alipay do not support person-to-person transfers, red packets, wealth management services, insurance services, or similar financial features. They are meant for daily consumption payments in mainland China.

Common Problem 1: Identity verification fails

The most common reasons are:

• The name does not exactly match the passport

• The card information is entered incorrectly

• The bank card does not support overseas or online transactions

• The app needs extra verification steps

Common Problem 2: Card linking fails

Check these items first:

• Card type is supported

• Online international payment is enabled

• SMS verification can be received

• Your app is fully updated

Common Problem 3: Payment is rejected at checkout

Possible reasons:

• Merchant does not support this payment route

• The card issuer blocked the transaction

• The amount or environment triggered a security check

• The account needs re-verification

Common Problem 4: You cannot use transfer or red packet functions

This is normal. Alipay’s official FAQ explicitly says international bank cards do not support those features. 

Quick Checklist for Foreigners

Before going out in China, make sure you have:

• Alipay installed and updated

• Passport information ready

• One eligible international bank card linked

• A working mobile number

• A backup payment method just in case

That is usually enough for basic daily life in China: taxis, food, convenience stores, malls, hotels, and transport.