Hello Bike
哈啰
Hellobike (哈啰) is one of China's largest shared‑bike platforms. Scan a QR code on any blue Hellobike, pay per ride through Alipay or WeChat Pay, and park in designated zones — perfect for short city hops.
Before you install — what you need
Hellobike is one of China's biggest shared-bike networks. The easiest way to use it is already on your phone.
A
Use Alipay (simplest)
- You can unlock a Hellobike directly from Alipay's mini-program — no separate app needed. This reuses your existing Alipay setup.
B
Or install the Hellobike app
- Search 哈啰 in the App Store or Google Play. The developer is Shanghai Junzheng Network Technology Co., Ltd.
C
Park in the right zone
- Bikes must be parked in designated zones shown on the map. Parking outside a zone may trigger a fee.
Step-by-step setup
1Open Hellobike
- In Alipay, search 哈啰 and tap the mini-program. Or open the Hellobike app and sign in with a phone number.
2Scan and unlock
- Scan the bike's QR code. No deposit is needed when you ride through Alipay.
3Ride and park
- Ride to your stop and park inside the highlighted zone on the map, then end the ride in the app.
Daily use — real scenarios
A short trip across town
- For distances of 1–3 km, scanning a blue Hellobike is faster and cheaper than a DiDi. Most rides cost ¥1–3.
Paying
- Rides settle through Alipay or the Hellobike wallet. Keep a small balance or a linked card ready.
Parking correctly
- End the ride only inside a marked zone, or the app may add a repositioning fee.
Troubleshooting — common problems and what to do
Common problems foreign visitors may run into
"The QR code won't scan"
— Wipe the code, step into light, and retry. If it still fails, try another nearby bike.
"It says I'm outside the parking zone"
— Drag the map to find the highlighted zone and walk the bike there before ending the ride.
"I can't unlock with the app"
— Open Hellobike inside Alipay instead; the mini-program often works when the standalone app doesn't.
Need to talk to a real person?
- Hellobike support sits inside the app (Help centre, Chinese only). For billing disputes, screenshot the ride and contact Alipay if you paid through it.
Your backup plan
Meituan Bike and DiDi's bike option cover the same streets. If Hellobike has no bikes nearby, try those.
Frequently asked questions about Hello Bike
Can I install it before my flight?
Almost certainly not. The listing appears only on the China App Store and returns nothing on the US, UK, Japanese, German, French or Korean storefronts.
Is there an English interface?
The store record declares Chinese as the sole interface language, so assume there is not.
Do I really need real-name verification?
Yes. National guidance requires real-name registration and use for internet rental bicycles, and the operator repeats the requirement in its privacy policy.
Will a passport work instead of a Chinese identity document?
The operator's privacy policy lists a passport number among the identity data collected from bike riders, which is the strongest signal available, but it is not a published acceptance guarantee.
Do I need a Chinese mobile number?
Registration runs on a mobile number, and Alipay login is offered as an alternative. Whether an overseas number clears every screen was not device-tested here.
Can I pay with a foreign bank card?
Indirectly. Government guidance lets overseas visitors bind supported international cards to Alipay, and the bike mini program then settles through that wallet.
Is there a deposit?
National guidance encourages deposit-free rental and ring-fences any money that is collected. Old guides quoting a fixed deposit are out of date; trust the figure on the screen.
What does a ride cost?
Read the in-app billing sheet for that city and account. Nationwide price tables published by travel blogs are unconfirmed.
What happens if I park badly?
Returning a bicycle outside the shaded service area triggers a dispatch charge set out in the billing rules.
Is there an age limit?
Service to children under twelve is prohibited by national guidance, and the operator's riding agreement expects riders to be sixteen or older and fit to cycle.
Are the e-assist bikes the same deal?
No. They are a separate product with their own helmet, age and city rules, and those rules are not uniform.
Sources
- Store identity, publisher, bundle, build · SRC-HB-001 Apple App Store CN
- Chinese declared as sole interface language · SRC-HB-001
- Absent from six non-China storefronts · SRC-HB-001
- Android package, no reachable Play listing · SRC-HB-005 + SRC-HB-010
- Real-name verification required by law · SRC-HB-002 privacy policy
- Passport, face and age data collected for riders · SRC-HB-002
- Mobile-number registration plus Alipay login · SRC-HB-002
- Real-name registration mandated nationally · SRC-HB-003 ten-ministry guidance
- Service to children under twelve prohibited · SRC-HB-003
- Deposit-free encouraged, user funds ring-fenced · SRC-HB-003
- Operating entities behind the bike service · SRC-HB-004 platform terms
- Bike service runs inside Alipay with its own agreement · SRC-HB-006 Alipay-hosted terms
- Service area, billing sheet and dispatch charge · SRC-HB-007
- Operator hotline and email published · SRC-HB-001
- Service list including bikes and e-assist bikes · SRC-HB-001
- Alipay mini-program route, verification inherited · SRC-HB-008
- Overseas number and passport said to work · SRC-HB-009
- Rules differ by city and build, retest needed · SRC-HB-010
- Unverified rider cannot scan or pay, no guest mode · SRC-HB-011
- Overseas visitors may bind international cards to wallets · SRC-HB-012 State Council
- Company origin, founding month, headquarters · SRC-HB-013 corporate site
- Rider age and safe-riding duties · SRC-HB-006
- Ride ends only on bay parking and lock closure · SRC-HB-007 + SRC-HB-010
- Deposit-free riding advertised nationwide · SRC-HB-001
