Alipay

Don't bother. It's going to force you to input lots of personal information including your photograph, photo of your passport, your bank account information, a credit card number, etc. and then it's going to tell you something went wrong, or you will be automatically rejected. If you try again a few times, your account is going to be suspended. This pertains to adding a bank card and also trying to apply for tour card.

My account was suspended upon creation, and even after doing a video authentication thing and uploading so many documents, I can't get my account unrestricted. There's no reason given and no way to talk with someone. Been trying for 2 weeks, so frustrating. I ended up just using a common chinese chat app for payments, it only took me a few minutes, soo much easier.

It's kind of a joke that Alipay pretends to serve international customers. As soon as you download the app, you get a terms and conditions screen in Chinese with no option for other languages. In the app itself, even the text that is translated to English is often incomprehensible, or the heading will be translated and then the rest is in Chinese. Outside of China, you can't use Alipay at all unless you're a Chinese citizen. Updating your ID is a huge pain.

To verify and authenticate your Alipay account has become so difficult. I've been trying to do this for over 4 months now. In fact, everything about Alipay is difficult and tedious. How will someone do face verification and the system still wants chip verification that won't even work. And not every user uses an NFC compatible device!! If you don't want international users to use your app, just say so. Stop making things difficult for us. Let me not even start with the unnecessary restrictions😒

I was in Beijing for almost 10 days at the end of last year. I linked my Wise card to this app. On the first two days, I used the app for 3 transactions. However, after that, I can't make anymore transactions because whenever I wanted to make payment, it popped up asking me to verify my bank account which ended up failing. Then, I linked the app with another bank card. The same thing happened. I really panicked. So no choice, I had to use another payment app. Not sure what the problem is.

My account was restricted as soon as it was created. Adding a card requires an inordinate amount of verification including a selfie, passport, other id, card statement and picture of the card. And the only way to speak to an actual person you need to call China at their hours of operation. Good luck too. The worse thing is that without a mobile payment wallet you will have a very difficult time when in China since this is the primary and maybe the only means of making payments in mainland China.

Worked well for payments in Shanghai. Does not work at all for money transfers (must have a credit card issued in China). Hit and miss if you use Didi through the Alipay app as it will sometimes pop up questions in Chinese, which I am not able to read. Would be very useful to have an all-English app for non-residents. Update Oct. 2025: there's much more English in the app now, greatly increasing usability for foreigners. But it won't allow me to add a second credit card.

We have just returned from a three week trip to China and I can honestly say that Alipay has been fabulous from start to finish. Yes, I had to install the app before leaving home and yes I had to input various personal data including passport and card details, but it is a payment system so I wouldn't expect anything less. Alipay was accepted wherever we went, including off the beaten track so to speak. We either scanned the sellers terminal or they scanned my phone. Easy to use, many thanks 👍

I have never seen an app more annoying than this one. It always pops up regardless of what you're doing even if you change the settings and remove permissions. This app is seriously broken. But unfortunately most of China uses it. so do what you need to do and uninstall ASAP. worst app ever

Translate doesn't work, AI customer service isn't so helpful, and I when I exited the app for the first time after putting in my number and declining the process where they get my full name (I was unsure), they told me to log in with a password even if I don't have an account yet.

ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE APP, doesn't function what's so ever, doesn't even show you the correct identification documentation IT needs. tried multiple times to appeal, using the exact correct documentation only to find out that you never needed to appeal. WARNING: it keeps your info even after you delete your account, so if you don't want copies of your passport, bank card, email, and password (yes everything to complete identify theft) I would highly not recommend.

Simply doesn't work. Added a card but the very first time I tried to buy something my account got restricted... and if I try to follow the verification steps I get to a page with a continue button that just doesn't respond at all. Although another review mentioned they only verify Chinese citizens, so maybe this bug just saved me from wasting more time. Gave me a new perspective on just how good we have things in the West, I can't imagine living somewhere where this garbage is necessary.

I want to give it 0...very terrible..the verification process is never ending..finding small mistakes to make you upload your data endlessly...someone recommend an app I can use for international payments

right after I verify my account uploading photo and ID cannot login no more so annoying 😠 I think they just collecting ur info what a waste!

This app is complete garbage. After switching to a new phone, you can no longer log in and all of your account information is gone

Alipay has been working very well for mainland cities. But recent trip to hk and Macau. It did not worked at all. Worked for touchngo alipay+ version though. The train and bus card qr requires local ID. Would be great if this can be integrated for foreigners. Also if the taxi app in macau can be included like how didi is integrated, it would be super great for foreigners cause it's such a hassle currently. Also luoyang mrt card requires local ID. Kindly update desc where applicable, really helps

hmmmmmmmmmm. I have been enjoying this Alipay since. not until today, it is telling me I have not been verified and mind you I was verified before. so I can't use my international passport to get verified again except I have china mainland bank account card. Alipay please do something because I still Have 804¥ there. please

When traveling in China, it is advisable to consider alternative payment methods beyond AliPay due to frequent security verification requests and repeated personal data inquiries. We recommend utilizing WeChat Pay or a Visa card for services such as DiDi to ensure a more seamless transaction experience.

one of the worst I ever seen I give all my information for nothing in return if you going to China and this app doesn't work with you Just don't bother to get there

absolutely awful. authentication and adding a card is almost impossible. I've now tried about 8 times, photos, videos, scans, uploads. the camera app is useless as you cannot get close enough to a person to take the id and person photo. so the id is fuzzy. god knows which camera it uses. restricted account every single time. I was immediately restricted creating the account. cannot use virtual cards. now my card in full is with them open to fraud with my passport and full biometric data.