1. Confirm coverage and the terms you need
Check every destination, full trip duration, data and hotspot allowance, speed limits, and refund terms with your provider.
Status: Later
Your China internet checklist
Prepare before departure, then check the actual connection after arrival. Use this with a plan from any provider.
Progress and trip answers stay in this browser. Changing devices or clearing browser data loses them. Printing saves the current checklist; loading this webpage offline is not guaranteed. Aggregate usage events help us improve the tool; we do not send your phone number, order or installation QR.
Before departure
0/10 done2. Check the exact phone and carrier lock
Confirm your exact model and sales region are accepted. A different SIM or eSIM generally needs an unlocked phone; check with your carrier.
Status: Later
3. Install using your provider’s instructions
Use a stable connection. Keep the order and installation details private, label your lines, and do not delete the eSIM to troubleshoot.
Status: Later
4. Check when validity starts
Installation and the start of validity may be different. Follow your exact plan’s activation window and destination instructions.
Status: Later
5. Choose the intended mobile-data line
Use the travel line for mobile data and apply its roaming settings exactly as instructed. Review automatic data switching and home-line roaming charges.
Status: Later
6. Confirm your original number can receive SMS
Ask your home carrier about service in China, SMS reception, charges and dual-SIM behavior. A data-only eSIM does not receive SMS sent to your original number.
Status: Later
7. Confirm your important overseas or work services
Ask about the exact services you need. A provider’s app-access claim is not a guarantee; work systems may have their own location or security restrictions.
Status: Later
8. Check the hotspot allowance
Confirm tethering is allowed and whether shared data has its own daily cap. Unlimited phone data need not mean unlimited laptop data.
Status: Later
9. Save a backup before departure
Save provider support, order details, your hotel address, bookings and useful offline maps. Confirm a home-roaming backup and hotel Wi-Fi arrangements where practical.
Status: Later
After arrival
10. Check your connection after arrival
Turn off Wi-Fi to check the intended mobile-data line, then open the apps you need, receive an expected SMS and try hotspot if relevant. Record what works below.
Status: Later
Optional: check this browser’s connection
This sends a small request to the Baidu, Alipay and Google websites from your current connection. Those sites receive a normal web request, including your IP address. It is not a speed test, an app test or a prediction of a future eSIM connection.
Check what actually works
Use this after arriving on the intended connection. These are your own checks, not automated tests or certification. Results before departure do not predict your China connection.
Mobile data
After arrival, turn Wi-Fi off and open a normal webpage on your intended data line.
Result: Not checked
Important apps
Open the actual apps and complete the task you need. A website response is not an app-login test.
Result: Not checked
Original-number SMS
Check an expected message on your original line; ask your carrier or the sending service if it fails.
Result: Not checked
Hotspot
Connect your other device and load an ordinary webpage within the plan’s sharing allowance.
Result: Not checked
Next: check your China payments
A working connection is one part of preparation. Try your Alipay or WeChat Pay setup and keep a payment backup.
Open payment test →chinaway.app/money/test-pay