Can I use DiDi without a Chinese phone number?

Install the right app. The one that works in mainland China is listed on foreign app stores as “DiDi China: Ride Hailing” (滴滴出行, developer 滴滴出行(北京)…). “DiDi Rider” (滴滴国际版) is DiDi's app for Australia, Japan, Mexico, Egypt and other overseas markets and does not serve the mainland.

Registration: the store listing says “English interface supporting global mobile number login”, and the Chinese government's 2025 guide for foreigners says the DiDi Greater China app “supports foreigners to use foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register”. Your number must receive the verification code — a data-only eSIM cannot — so sign up before you swap SIMs; some accounts are asked for extra verification. Logging in through an Alipay or WeChat account is offered in the app, but it is not documented as a way around the phone number.

Paying in the app: DiDi and the government guide say international bank cards; Alipay and WeChat Pay also appear as options. Which card brands bind — and whether Apple Pay is offered — is shown on the payment page; Visa and Mastercard are the ones travellers report most, and DiDi's January 2025 statement named them.

No app at all: open Alipay (which accepts a foreign number, passport and foreign card), search “DiDi” and hail from the mini-app; the fare goes to whatever card is linked in Alipay. The government guide names this route explicitly. The WeChat mini-app is also listed, but traveller reports suggest it is less reliable without a Chinese number.

On the ride: 24/7 in-app English customer service is on the store listing. Number masking, in-app chat with translation and airports' marked ride-hail pickup points are what travellers and DiDi promotions describe; details differ by city and app version.

Tiers you will see, per the government guide: Express, Taxi (a metered street cab hailed through the app), Premier and Luxe. The fare or estimate is shown before you confirm.