How to use Alipay English version in China?

Alipay has been enhanced to meet the needs of foreigners travelling and living in China. With the Alipay English version, you can efficiently manage your essential living and travelling requirements, from booking flights, hotels or high-speed trains, to taking the metro, taxi or public share bikes, as well as ordering food and shopping online. You don't need to carry any cash in China these days, just scan the payment code and pay directly. Foreigners in China now can handle everything in the country with just their smartphones in hand.

Can’t wait to download the Alipay App and switch it to English? Let’s do it!

By the way, expats in China can also take advantage of the Wise services in China. With Wise’s multi-currency account, you can send your Chinese income out of China immediately, or convert and hold money in a more economical way.

Open Wise account

How do I download Alipay and use it in English?

Is Alipay in English?

Yes. However, the Alipay app was created first and foremost for China mainland users, so of course the default language setting is Chinese. You will need to switch it to English to make it more accessible by using the English version.

Step by step guide on how to download Alipay app and switch to English

1. If you’re an iPhone user, please go to your App Store, and if you’re an Android user, navigate to your Google Play Store.
2. Type in “Alipay” in the search bar, and find the Alipay app from the results. Check the logo carefully to make sure you download the correct app.
   
3. Click “Get” to download it.
4. Once you download it, install and then open the app, and give your permission for the Alipay app to access your camera and phone contacts.
5. You’ll see the entire app interface displayed in the Chinese language. Locate the “我的 (Me)” on the lower sidebar, and click it.
   
6. Next, tap on the “Setting” icon (shaped like a gear or cog) on the top right corner of your screen, which is right next to the “Help Center” icon.
   
7. Go to the “通用 (General)”, which is the 7th option on the pull-down menu.
   
8. You’ll see “多语言 (language)” on the first option, click it.
   
9. Select “English” on the 4th option. Click “保存 (save)”.
   
10. You’re done!

Where do I change the language on Alipay?

Setting the English language for Alipay is an easy job if you follow the step-by-step guide. Note: If you are residing in China, you may need to access the Alipay website. Currently, there is no way you can change language on the Alipay China mainland website. The good news is that Alipay Global Merchant Portal¹, the English version of Alipay, has been developed. But note that this has been devised for global business and offers digital payment solutions for merchants and partners of Alipay to serve their customers.

Alipay English version app apk download

Now, let’s find out where you can download the Alipay English version app.

1. Alipay China mainland version home page

• Typehttps://www.alipay.com/ in your browser².
• Tap on “我是个人用户 (personal account)”.
• You’ll see “支付宝APP (Alipay app)” on the right corner of the upper navigation bar. Click it.
• According to your requirements download the Android apk or jump to the Appstore for the IOS version.

On the right corner of your computer screen, you may opt for the English language setting, so you may better view the previous versions.

2. Alipay China App Store³

For iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, the Alipay app is accessible through the App Store. Here’s the website link:

3. Google Play⁴

If you’re using an Android phone, go to Google Play and search for the Alipay app. Or you may skip this step, just hit the direct Google Play link for the Alipay app below:

How can I use Alipay as a foreigner in China?

Suppose you already have an Alipay account, let’s figure out how to use it in China.

How to change the language setting in Alipay?

We’ve explaines in the the step by step guide earlier in this article. Let's briefly summarize it again.

1. Open the app, and head for the “我的 (me)”.
2. Follow the steps: Setting - “通用 (General)” - “多语言 (language)” - “English” - “保存(save)”.

To perform the following tasks with the Alipay English app.

How to add a bank card to Alipay?

1. Tap on the “Me” icon.
2. Choose the “Bank Cards” tab.
3. Click the “＋” icon the top right corner of your screen.
4. Enter your bank card number, or scan it. VISA, Mastercard, Diners Club International, and some other cards are accepted.
5. Click “Add”.

How to top up your Alipay balance?

1. Head for the main menu on “Me” again.
2. Find “Balance”.
3. You will see the “Top up” option. Click it.
4. Enter the amount and transfer it from your bank card. Usually there will be a limit for each top-up.
5. Finally, press “Top Up” to confirm it.

How to delete your Alipay account?

1. Go to the “Settings” by clicking the corresponding icon.
2. Select “Account and Security”.
3. Find “Account Cancel” on the bottom.
4. Choose the reason why you want to cancel your Alipay account. Or you can just skip this step.
5. Check the account to be canceled (and the consequences). Then press “Confirm and continue”.

Is Alipay free to use?

Yes, it is free to download and get an Alipay account, be it the Chinese version or the English version. However, there would be certain charges for money transactions, receiving money, and bill payments, if the set limits are exceeded.

The guidelines for transferring money from Alipay to a bank card — yours or another person's — are as follows:

• Multiple Alipay real-name accounts under the same ID enjoy a basic free quota of 20,000 yuan (including transfers to bank cards and account balance withdrawals). If the quota is exceeded, the exceeding amount will be charged at a service fee of 0.1%, with a minimum of 0.1 RMB per transaction.
• For non-real-name accounts, there is zero quota to enjoy free transactions. There is a 0.1 % service charge for each transaction when money is transferred to the card (minimum RMB 0.1 per transaction).

Some expats may have not completed real-name authentication, in which case they might be charged for each transaction.

Wise: a cheaper and hassle-free way to transfer your earnings out of China!

Life in China could be a lot easier to deal with using both Alipay and Wise in combination. While the Alipay English version offers you the fastest way to pay, Wise can help you to send the money you earn in China to 160+ countries without unnecessary hassle. Wise employs a fair mid-market rate for 70+ countries, so you will pay less in commission fees than using many other banks. Big plus: You don’t have to go to the bank physically. You can manage everything with the Wise app or its fully featured web platform.

As you live in China, and travel to neighbouring countries, being able to hold and convert currencies with your Wise multi currency account is another big plus; with low conversion fees.

Open your Wise account and avoid high bank fees now! You can transfer your RMB out of China with Wise online today.

*Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

*This service is provided in partnership with a licensed third party payment provider in China.