Do Apple Pay and Google Pay Work in China? What Tourists Should Know
Foreign Apple Pay and Google Pay generally do not work at Chinese payment terminals. Here is what works instead, and the few places physical cards are accepted.
Bokang Huang· Payments, eSIM and apps
Last updated
Tested in China on a foreign card. Sources linked at the foot of this page.
The short answer
Forget tap-to-pay. Foreign Apple Pay and Google Pay generally do not work at Chinese terminals, because China’s payment system runs on QR codes, not NFC card readers. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay instead. That is what actually works.
Why tap-to-pay fails here
China skipped the card-terminal era for everyday payments. Merchants expect you to either:
- scan their QR code, or
- show your payment QR for them to scan.
Domestic users pay inside Alipay and WeChat Pay. Foreign cards are bridged into those same apps. Ordinary shops and small venues rarely have an NFC terminal that accepts a foreign card tap, so outside Shanghai’s metro and Maglev gates and a few large venues, Apple Pay and Google Pay have nothing to talk to.
What does work
| Method | Where it works |
|---|---|
| Alipay QR (linked foreign card) | Nearly everywhere, food, transport, shops |
| WeChat Pay QR (linked foreign card) | Nearly everywhere, and for bookings |
| Contactless foreign card | Some metro/Maglev gates and large hotels/malls |
| Physical foreign card | International hotels, duty-free, upscale chains |
| Cash (RMB) | Legally accepted everywhere; best as backup |
The practical setup
- Install Alipay and WeChat before you fly, see Alipay for foreigners and WeChat Pay.
- Verify your passport in each app and link your card.
- Test a ¥5 purchase at a convenience store.
- Carry ¥200–500 in small notes, see do you need cash in China?.
If you want to use the card that is already in your Apple Wallet, add that same card directly inside Alipay or WeChat Pay: the card works, the wallet does not.
The exceptions worth knowing
- Shanghai metro and Maglev turnstiles have accepted contactless foreign cards since 2025.
- International hotel chains, duty-free shops, and high-end malls often take a physical Visa or Mastercard.
- Drivers and small vendors almost never do.
Bottom line
Apple Pay and Google Pay are the wrong tool in China. Spend ten minutes setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you fly, and you will not miss them. For the full picture, see payments in China for foreigners.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple Pay work in China?
Apple Pay linked to a foreign card generally does not work at Chinese retail terminals, because China’s payment ecosystem is QR-code based rather than NFC-tap based. A few international hotels and chains may accept a physical card, but do not count on tap-to-pay.
Does Google Pay work in China?
No, not meaningfully. Google Pay is built around NFC card terminals, which most Chinese merchants do not use for foreign cards. Use Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes instead.
Can I use my contactless Visa or Mastercard in China?
Some metro gates and Maglev turnstiles in cities like Shanghai accept contactless foreign cards, and larger hotels and malls may too. But small shops, restaurants, and taxis generally do not, so a QR payment app is essential.
What should I set up instead of Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Install Alipay and WeChat Pay before you travel, verify your passport, and link your card. That covers almost every payment situation a tourist encounters.
Sources & official links
Every factual claim on this page traces back to one of these documents. They are the authority, not us.