China eSIM, local SIM or roaming?

1. Pick the right plan for your trip

Think about the first three things your phone must do after immigration: open your hotel address, message the hotel, and receive any banking code sent to your usual number. Data and a phone number are two separate requirements.

• Travel eSIM: Start here if you mainly need mobile data for maps, messages and apps. A data-only eSIM cannot receive ordinary SMS or calls on a new local number. Your home SIM can still receive supported texts if it stays active and can register abroad.
• Home carrier roaming: This has the fewest setup steps if your provider covers mainland China. Ask whether data, incoming SMS and calls are included, what triggers the first daily charge, and where the cap resets. Some messaging apps or bank codes behave differently abroad. Make sure the contact methods you rely on are available.
• Local SIM: Choose this if you need a mainland number for ordinary local calls or a service that specifically asks for one. Check whether the plan includes voice and SMS, whether your phone can accept the SIM, and whether replacing a physical home SIM will cut off your bank codes.

At checkout, look for mainland China in the coverage list. Hong Kong-only coverage is a different product. Check how long the plan lasts, whether validity begins at installation or first connection, how much fast data you get, and whether tethering is included if you plan to share your connection.

2. Check your exact phone before paying

1. iPhone: In Settings → General → About, check Carrier Lock. Apple uses No SIM restrictions for unlocked devices. Then look in Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data) for Add eSIM. Check Apple’s model and purchase-region guidance if the option is missing.
2. Android: Check the exact model and country of purchase. On many Pixels the menu is Settings → Network & internet → SIMs. On compatible Galaxy phones it is usually Settings → Connections → SIM manager. Ask the original carrier to confirm the unlock status if you bought the phone through a contract.
3. Confirm both lines can work at once: Some phones can store several SIM profiles but support fewer active lines. Check this if your home number is already an eSIM and you need it to stay on for SMS.

Apple’s rules for mainland carrier eSIMs depend on the iPhone model and purchase region. Its guidance also limits where outside-mainland eSIMs can be installed on compatible mainland-purchased models. Check both the phone and the particular provider before assuming your device will accept a travel profile in China.

3. Install the travel line before departure

If your provider allows advance installation and gives you enough validity, do this over reliable Wi-Fi. Save the order number, activation instructions and provider support contact offline. If the setup asks you to scan a QR code, keep it open on a second screen or follow the provider’s direct or manual setup instructions.

1. On iPhone: Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM. Select Use QR Code if applicable, then confirm the plan.
2. On Pixel: Go to Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add SIM → Set up an eSIM and follow the prompts.
3. On Galaxy: Go to Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Add eSIM → Scan QR code where supported. Use the confirmation steps the provider supplies.
4. Check the result: Look for the new line in SIM settings. Label it China data and keep your existing line labeled Home. Leave the home line as your current data source until you intend the travel plan to start.

A listed profile means the phone has installed it. The profile may show no service until you reach the destination or complete the provider’s activation step. Keep the setup code private and keep the existing profile installed while troubleshooting.

4. Switch data on after landing

1. Switch mobile data to China data. Turn on the travel line first. On iPhone, open Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data (or Mobile Data) and select it. On Pixel, use Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Mobile data. On Galaxy, use Settings → Connections → SIM manager → Mobile data where the phone lists separate defaults. If your phone offers only one Primary SIM choice, check whether switching it also changes the outgoing call and text defaults.
2. Follow the eSIM provider’s instructions for roaming on the travel line. Keep the home line enabled for incoming texts if your carrier supports this. Set data roaming off on the home line unless you want to use its roaming data, and switch off automatic mobile data switching if you want data to stay on the travel plan.
3. Test the trip you’re about to take. Turn off Wi-Fi, open your map app, search for the hotel by its saved address and load a new route. Send a message through the app you’ll actually use to reach your travel companion or hotel. If only one app fails, test a fresh webpage before changing your SIM settings.
4. Test the number that receives bank codes. Ask a companion to send an ordinary SMS to your home number. If regular SMS arrives but a bank code does not, check the bank’s app or contact the issuer. A message sent through iMessage or WhatsApp tests data.

Carrier fees for making or answering calls and sending texts can still apply to the home line. Check its roaming terms before you fly. If you’ll need a ride right away, save the hotel’s full Chinese address and bookable arrival details while you still have a connection.

5. Fix the most common problems

Add eSIM is missing

Check the exact model, purchase region, software version and carrier unlock. If it cannot use that profile, use home roaming or a compatible physical SIM.

The QR code is rejected or says it was used

Check for an installed profile first. If none is present, reconnect to Wi-Fi and ask the provider whether the code can be reused or needs reissuing.

The line is listed but nothing loads

Check the active line, selected data SIM, plan validity and the provider’s travel-line roaming instructions. Toggle airplane mode, then test again with Wi-Fi off. If the issue persists, use Wi-Fi to contact support and keep a screenshot of the error. Enter an APN only if your provider supplies it for your specific plan.

Data works but the driver or shop needs a local number

Use the app’s message function where available, or ask your hotel to help. If a mainland number is essential, bring your passport to an official carrier counter. At Pudong Airport, the International Services Shanghai desk can help with short-term SIMs. Before leaving the counter, confirm your new number and test data and the calling or SMS feature you bought.

Once you are online, use the payment walkthrough to test a wallet and the Pudong transfer guide to pick your route into town.

Sources

• Apple · travel eSIM and carrier lock
• Apple · China mainland carrier eSIM and purchase-region rules
• Apple · choosing lines on a dual-SIM iPhone
• Google · Pixel setup and dual SIM
• Samsung · Galaxy eSIM installation
• Samsung · choosing which Galaxy SIM provides data
• Shanghai municipal government · short-term SIMs at Pudong Airport