What should I check on my phone before buying a plan?
Confirm that your exact device supports the physical SIM or eSIM being sold and is unlocked for another carrier. On an iPhone, Apple directs users to Settings, General, About and the Carrier Lock field; an unlocked phone shows No SIM Restrictions. Also check the model's purchase region, because support can differ between otherwise similarly named phones.
Apple Support: using an eSIM while travelling internationally
Is a travel eSIM the same as a mainland carrier eSIM?
No. An overseas travel-data eSIM and an eSIM issued by a mainland Chinese carrier are different products. Apple documents specific device restrictions for mainland-carrier profiles and separately describes worldwide providers offering travel data in mainland China. Check both the manufacturer's model guidance and the provider's China plan before paying; neither the word eSIM nor a recent phone model guarantees compatibility.
When should I install and activate the plan?
Read the provider's instructions before departure and distinguish installation from the start of the plan's validity. Save the activation instructions offline and arrange a working connection for setup. After activation, check which line is selected for data and which line still receives your usual texts. If you keep your home line active, ask its carrier about roaming charges.
Apple Support: using an eSIM while travelling internationally
Sim Internet guide →Will a data-only plan receive SMS or give me a Chinese number?
Do not assume so. Check the plan's inclusion of a phone number, calls and SMS separately from its data allowance. Keep access to the number used for your bank and travel accounts if those services may send verification messages. If you choose a local SIM, take your passport to the operator's service point and ask staff to explain the included services and validity.
Shanghai government: travel convenience and foreign-national SIM application guide
What can I do if I arrive without mobile data?
Look for the airport's official Wi-Fi instructions and information or telecom service counters. At Shanghai Pudong, the airport operator describes passport-based Wi-Fi verification without a Chinese phone number, plus SIM and communication services for arriving travellers. Other airports may use different procedures. Save your hotel's Chinese address before flying so getting online is not the only way to complete your transfer.
Shanghai Airport Group via Shanghai government: Pudong arrival services
Will my usual websites and messages work?
Having mobile data does not mean every service will work. Google and several overseas social and messaging services, including WhatsApp, are restricted on normal mainland networks. Prepare another way to contact your accommodation and travel companions, and save hotel addresses, tickets and booking details offline before arrival. Ask your provider about the specific services and destinations its plan supports. A travel eSIM, roaming label or VPN claim is not a guarantee that every app will be available throughout your trip.
Will my usual websites and messages work? · Policy scope verified: 2026-09-06