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Apps & payments in China

What runs, what is blocked, and how you actually pay for things in mainland China.

Last checked July 2026

Each item below is a practical starting point; app availability and payment support can change, so verify anything important before you travel.

Read the full guides

Does Apple Pay work in China?Partially — but don't rely on it. Foreign cards widely reported to fail at most POS terminals.Jul 2026Foreign cards at China ATMsYes — at the right ATMs. Big national banks and airport ATMs are the reliable bet.Jul 2026Best translation apps for ChinaPick one that works offline — and test it before you fly. Google Translate isn't dependable inside mainland China.Jul 2026Does WhatsApp work in China?No — WhatsApp has been blocked in mainland China since 2017.Jul 2026Does Google work in China?No — Google Search has been blocked since 2010, and the rest of the suite followed by 2014.Jul 2026Can I access online banking in China?Generally yes, but with caveats — SMS two-factor codes can be unreliable on Chinese mobile networks.Jul 2026How do I check if a site is blocked?You can't test it from home — check with a dedicated blocked-site checker before you fly instead.Jul 2026

Keep exploring YouChina Wiki

Full payments guideChina readiness checklistSet up Alipay as a foreignerAlipay vs WeChat PayDo foreign cards work in China?eSIM, SIM & Wi-Fi in China

Official references

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