Getting a SIM card in Shanghai — real-name registration and plans
Your Chinese phone number is the key to everything: banking, apps, government services, WeChat. Here's how to get one with your passport, which carrier to pick, and what plans actually cost.
Why your Chinese number matters
Almost nothing in China works without a local number: bank accounts need SMS verification, Alipay and WeChat Pay tie to your number, government apps (Suishouban) require it, and even some delivery and taxi apps gate sign-up on it. Get it early — ideally on day one, right after police registration.
Which carrier?
| Carrier | Strengths |
|---|---|
| China Mobile (中国移动) | Best nationwide coverage, biggest network. The default choice. |
| China Unicom (中国联通) | Popular with expats for friendlier customer service and stores used to foreign passports. |
| China Telecom (中国电信) | Good city coverage, bundles (home internet + mobile) are convenient. |
All three work fine in Shanghai. If in doubt, pick China Mobile for coverage or Unicom for expat-friendly service. Your employer may have a corporate discount with one carrier — ask.
The process
Find a flagship store, not a corner shop
Carrier "business halls" (营业厅) in central districts handle foreign passports daily. Look for 中国移动/联通/电信 signage on a main street, ideally with an English "international" counter. Small kiosks often don't do foreign registration.
Bring your passport (original)
Real-name registration (实名制) means the SIM is registered to your passport number. A photo won't do. Some stores also ask for your visa/residence permit and police registration receipt — bring them all.
Say you need a SIM with real-name registration (实名制)
Staff will photocopy your passport, take a photo for the record, and pick a plan. Tell them you want a 个人套餐 (personal plan) or just ask what's available for prepaid (预付费).
Set up the plan and pay
Prepaid: top up via the carrier app or WeChat/Alipay. Postpaid: needs a deposit for foreigners (usually ¥300-500) or a work contract; prepaid avoids the deposit and works for 95% of people.
Test the number immediately
Make a call, send an SMS, and check data. Then use it to register on Alipay/WeChat — see the payment guide.
Plans and prices (typical)
| Plan | Price (approx.) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget prepaid | ¥30-50/month | 5-10 GB data, calls & SMS |
| Standard prepaid | ¥50-100/month | 20-40 GB data, 100-300 min calls |
| Unlimited-ish | ¥100-150/month | 50-100 GB + bundled apps (video/social unlimited) |
| Keep-alive plan | ¥8/month | Cheapest way to keep your number while abroad |
Data in China is cheap by international standards. Roaming is expensive; buy a travel eSIM for trips, or use the carrier's international data packs.
eSIM, dual SIM and keeping your home number
- No local eSIM: mainland Chinese numbers are physical SIM only — there's no consumer eSIM for China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom. Your phone must accept a physical SIM (most do).
- Dual SIM is your friend: keep your home SIM for WhatsApp/banking OTPs and the Chinese SIM for everything local. Chinese carriers now offer number-sharing so your home number also gets calls/SMS on the Chinese SIM.
- If your phone is eSIM-only (e.g. recent iPhone models sold in the US): this is a real problem — you can't use a mainland SIM without a physical slot. Solutions: buy the Chinese-market version of the phone, use an older dual-SIM phone as your China phone, or use a Wi-Fi-only setup (painful). Check your phone's specs before relying on it.
Questions & answers
Do I need an ID card or can I use my passport?
Your passport is enough. Real-name registration means the SIM is registered to your passport number. Bring the original — a photo is not accepted at most stores.
Which carrier should I pick?
China Mobile has the best coverage; China Unicom is popular with expats for customer service; China Telecom is fine in the city. All three work well in Shanghai.
Is there eSIM support?
Not for local mainland numbers — no consumer eSIM. You get a physical SIM. eSIM only works for roaming plans from your home country.
How much does a plan cost?
Prepaid from ~¥30/month for basics; ~¥100/month gets generous data. Postpaid contracts are cheaper per GB but usually need a deposit for foreigners.
Can I keep my number when leaving China?
You can keep a prepaid number active for a while, but numbers are recycled after inactivity. Switch to the ~¥8/month plan to keep it alive for SMS (WeChat/WhatsApp verification) until you're settled abroad.
Related: Real-name registration explained · Bank account · Alipay & WeChat Pay · Addresses