Internet Checklist Before Flying to China

Most internet problems in China happen in the first 48 hours, and nearly all of them are avoidable with preparation before departure. The catch is that the tools you would use to fix the problem are themselves the ones being blocked.

1. Install the applications before you leave

This is the most important step and the most commonly skipped. Play Store is fully blocked in China. The Chinese App Store removed most applications of this kind from its catalogue. Downloading after arrival is close to impossible.

• Install the client on every device you are bringing: phone, laptop, tablet.
• On iPhone, your App Store account must stay in a region outside China. Do not switch region after arrival.
• On Windows and macOS, download the installer file and keep it on disk, rather than relying on a download link.
• See the per-platform setup guide for which client to use.

2. Store your configuration in three places

The subscription link is the one thing you cannot recover if you lose it while also being unable to get online. Duplicate it:

1. Save it in a notes app that syncs offline on your phone.
2. Email it to yourself, and open that email once so it is cached locally.
3. Screenshot it into your photo library. Images stay readable with no connection at all.
4. For a long stay, print it and keep it with your passport.

3. Test it for real before flying

Connect at least once before departure. This confirms the configuration is valid, the account is active, and you know how the app works. Arriving at Pudong at midnight is not the moment to learn an unfamiliar interface.

Test on both Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some configurations work on Wi-Fi but hit problems on cellular because of differing MTU.

4. Set up WeChat and Alipay

These two are close to mandatory for daily life in China: payments, taxis, food delivery, train tickets. Many small restaurants no longer accept cash.

• Register WeChat before you fly. New accounts usually need an existing user to vouch for them, which is far easier to arrange while you can still ask friends in person.
• Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept international Visa and Mastercard. Link your card and run one small test payment before departure.
• Screenshot your own receive-payment QR code for offline use.

5. Keep a fallback

No solution is guaranteed. Tightening periods around sensitive dates are always possible.

• Enable international roaming on your home SIM before you fly, even if you do not plan to use it. Having it ready beats activating it when you already cannot get online.
• Save a support channel that works locally. Telegram is blocked. If your provider only offers Telegram, you cannot reach them precisely when you need to. Ask in advance whether they have WeChat or email.
• Know your provider's email address. Gmail is blocked, but Outlook and corporate mail usually still work.

6. Small things people forget

• Download offline maps for your destination, since Google Maps is unavailable. The local options are Baidu Maps and Amap.
• Install an offline dictionary and translation app.
• Save your dormitory, hotel and office addresses in Chinese characters, not just romanisation. Taxi drivers generally cannot read pinyin.
• Photograph your passport, visa and admission letter, and store them offline.
• Tell your bank you will be using the card abroad so it is not frozen for suspected fraud.

What to do on day one

As soon as you land and have a signal, connect before doing anything else. If it fails, do not assume the service is broken: switch between airport Wi-Fi and mobile data, because public airport Wi-Fi often filters more aggressively than cellular networks.

If it still fails, enable roaming temporarily to contact support. That is exactly why step 5 exists.

Common questions

More on the FAQ page, or see the available plans.