All the bank information you type in must be exactly consistent with what was used to open your bank account. This includes capitalization and order of the name used to open your account. If you’ve tried to no avail to switching the order of your name during setup, typing without spaces, and dropping your middle name, you may have to go to the bank to fix errors. For Alipay, if you enter the incorrect details more than three times, you will be temporarily locked out and unable to attempt to register again for 24 hours.
Pre-step
Set up your Chinese bank account, download apps, and make basic accounts
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STEP 1
Go to WeChat Wallet, located under “Me”.
*For some users, WeChat Wallet will only show up after receiving and opening a WeChat Red Packet.
STEP 2
Tap on “Cards” (Step 2a) and then “Add Card” type in your bank card number (Step 2b). Enter your “ID Type” (Step 2c).
STEP 3
The verification page will ask for a code sent to your phone. This step will only work if the phone number during the setup process is the same used to setup your bank account.
STEP 4
Setup a security pin to use each time you make a payment or transfer money to someone via WeChat Wallet. This pin will also be used for verification in the case that your phone is stolen. Once you’ve set up your pin, hit next and you will be able to see your bank card in your Wallet.
Without WeChat Wallet, you won’t be able to join WeChat groups once they reach over 100 users, which include most WeChat based support communities. You also will be prevented from using certain functions on Didi Dache, the car hailing app, JD.com, and some food ordering apps.
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STEP 1
Tap Sign Up and input your mobile number. A SMS verification code will be sent. Set your transaction password In the Home page, tap “Me” to go to Account page.
STEP 2
Link your bank card. In the second row select “My Cards” (Step 2a) to add your bank card. Once you input your bank card number (Step 2b), you’ll be prompted to fill in bank card information (Step 2c). Once your bank card is connected to Alipay, you’ll see your card in the list.
Alipay has a QR scanner, mobile and utilities top-up, lottery services, and fund transfer to contacts options. It also has menus for movie tickets, Didi taxi hailing, a Dianping-style restaurant review section, and food delivery via Koubei. Other features in Chinese include a parcel delivery section, allowing you to send packages via a delivery serviceman who will to come to your home or office, a real-time currency converter using up-to-date conversion rates.
This article originally appeared on p 41 of beijingkids May 2017 Home & Relocation Guide.
Download the digital copy here.
3 Comments
Hello, I tried adding a Canadian credit card, it was successfully added it, but it doesn’t allow me to pay using it. Do you know why? Many thanks!
Hello May. So far, payment options using a credit card linked to Wechat are very limited. The most reliable method of using/activating WeChat Wallet is through linking your Chinese bank card.
Do you know of anyone that has been able to use it with a US credit card?