01 / STORY
Answer
Registration paths differ by app and over time. Ride-hailing and payment apps have documented foreign-number paths in official city guides, but SMS delivery on roaming or travel eSIMs can still fail.
A data-only travel eSIM does not automatically give you a mainland +86 number. Keep your home SIM available for bank verification codes when possible.
If an app blocks registration, use an alternative task path (hotel desk booking, staff metro ticket, card payment) rather than sharing your passport with random “helpers.”