Getting a sim card in China is essential for pretty much anything, I would even say it is essential for survival. You need it in order to be able to receive Health QR codes to enter buildings, cities, areas. You need it to register for Alipay (I heard you can also register with foreign phone numbers, but that didn’t work for me) and, thus, to pay for things online or on site (my quarantine hotel initially didn’t accept credit card payments but only WeChat Pay or Alipay).
If you are stuck in quarantine and would like to get a health code to make sure the 14 days quarantine are already being counted and if your hotel keeps harassing you about paying your hotel bill with WeChat Pay or Alipay, you are basically pretty much lost. The only way to get a Chinese Sim card is to physically go to a Mobile Network store and buy it. There is a strict process involving your passport and answering a bunch of questions involved. So basically, not really straight forward or easy.
Not anymore. I accidentally stumbled upon a link to a Network provider that promises easy online registration and delivery of your sim card to your doorstep. After a bit of research, I realised that they are using the same network as China Unicom so I was not too worries about the reception.
I gave it a try because the website looked pretty straight forward and instantly answered my open questions.
Registration process was extremely easy. After a few minutes I received a confirmation that the application process was successful and that my shipment will be processed, expected delivery the following day. I had opted for the 20GB plan for (88 RMB / month). This is a fixed plan but it only works if you top up your balance I guess. So it’s not really similar to a fixed plan in Germany or the US, more like a prepaid plan, which is great I think.
I had followed their WeChat group and a few minutes later I was directly contacted through one of the customer service people from Nihao Mobile.
I had forgotten to write down my room number, which she added to the address and she also requested some more details on the actual address as it didn’t seem to be clear – that was totally on me, as it was my first time ordering anything in China. I sent her a picture of the hotel address that I took from the information sheet the hotel had provided and it was done. I have to say: this felt extremely professional and super customer-friendly, especially the proactive message from the CS side.
A day later a letter arrived containing the sim card and a booklet with very clear instructions. The two numbers that are needed to register the card (phone number and ICCID) are printed right next to the sim card.
To activate the card, you scan the WeChat QR code, click on “Activate” and follow the instructions. Activation is also possible through their website and via Facebook. For activation you need your passport at hand. Take a picture of the ID page of your passport and the page where your China immigration stamp sits. Next, you need to take a selfie and complete the activation. A few seconds later you receive a note confirming that the sim card is now activated.
Insert it into your phone and you should automatically see a “welcome” screen or a message to accept mobile settings from Nihao Mobile. If not, switch to flight mode, wait a few seconds and switch back again. That’s how it worked for me.
Reception is pretty good so far (rather limited experience as I am still in my quarantine hotel room) and the internet works.
Alipay registration and health certificates obviously worked as well now, so I can only recommend Nihao Mobile. At least for now.
This is not an advertisement. I did not get paid for writing this article. It simply represents my experience with Nihao Mobile.