📱 Local Mobile Number SOP

TL;DR: Short-term travelers use eSIM (no KYC friction). Long-term residents must visit a China Unicom (preferred) or China Mobile hall with a physical passport.

Prerequisites:

• Passport: Physical original (copies/photos are often rejected).
• Email: Access to a non-blocked email (Outlook/iCloud) for digital receipts.
• RMB 150: Cash or Alipay balance for the initial deposit.

📋 The Runbook

1. Choose Your Entry Method

• Short Trip (Under 15 days): Use Airalo, Yesim, or Nomad. No ID verification needed, but these often don’t provide a “+86” number for app registrations.
• Digital Nomad / Long Stay: You must have a “+86” number. Go to a China Unicom hall.

2. The Carrier Hall Protocol (Physical SIM)

• Step 1: Use Baidu/Amap to find a “Main Business Hall” (营业厅). Smaller retail kiosks often cannot handle foreign passports.
• Step 2: Request the “Tourist Plan” or “Minimum Monthly Plan” (Wǒ yào zuì dī tàocān).
• Step 3: Perform the “Face Scan” (人脸识别). This is a legal requirement for real-name registration.
• Verification: Once the SIM is in, wait for a 10010/10086 SMS. Send CXLL to the carrier number to verify your data balance is active.

🚨 Fallback (Plan B)

If the hall system rejects your passport:

1. Try a Different Hall: System sync issues are common. A hall 2 blocks away might have a newer scanner.
2. Trip.com Physical SIM: Order a physical SIM via Trip.com to your hotel address. They have a pre-verified KYC flow for tourists.
3. Emergency Wi-Fi: Hit any Starbucks or Apple Store. They have open Wi-Fi that usually bypasses the “SMS Login” requirement via a guest portal.

💡 TechDad’s Tips

• The “WeChat Registration” Catch-22: You need a phone number to get WeChat, but you often need WeChat to find a carrier hall. Download offline maps and the carrier locations before you lose your airport Wi-Fi.
• Keep the Number: If you plan on returning to China, keep at least 20 RMB in your balance. Most carriers will keep the number active for 3-6 months as long as there is a positive balance.
• SIM Ejector Tool: TechDad rule #1: Tape a SIM ejector tool (or a paperclip) to the back of your passport or inside your wallet. You will lose it otherwise.

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