How to delete your Alipay account?

If you’re a foreigner who’s lived in China for years, and you’re considering, or about to leave China for good, you might be wondering if you can delete your Alipay account, and how?
In this article we will answer your questions with the most up-to-date Alipay policies of 2023.

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Can you delete your Alipay account?

Yes. You can absolutely delete your account with Alipay as long as you don’t have any ongoing contract or sub services signed on within Alipay, and you have withdrawn your total balance. You will also need to have paid back any debt owed, if you have any, before you delete your alipay account.

Deleting Alipay personal account step guide:

1. Open the Alipay APP home page
2. Click ‘Me’ at the bottom right button corner
3. Click the cog or ‘gear shape’ icon on the top right corner
4. Now you should be on the ‘Setting’ page
5. Select ‘Account and Security’
6. Select ‘Account Cancel’
7. Choose your reason for cancellation (This step is optional and you can click ‘skip’)
8. Confirm and continue
9. Pass ‘ID Verification’ (Alipay needs to confirm it’s you who are canceling not anyone else with false intention)
10. Enter your payment password to verify your identity
11. Your account will be deleted immediately

Things you need to know before deleting your personal Alipay account:

1. You will permanently lose access to login and use of the account
2. Identity, account, and transaction information will be cleared
3. Vouchers, points,and membership benefits will be cleared
4. Service agreements and account linkings will be invalid
5. Any binding relationship with other accounts will be removed

How to delete an Alipay HK account?

Yes. You can delete your Alipay HK permanently if you wish.

Deleting Alipay HK account step guide:

1. Open the AlipayHK App
2. Tap on the menu button at the top left corner
3. Now you arrive on ‘Settings’ page
4. Select ‘Account Security’
5. Tap on 'Account Deregistration'
6. Your Application for cancellation will be submitted

How to cancel your Alipay account automatic subscription?

1. Open the Alipay app
2. Click ‘Me’ at the (bottom?) right button corner
3. Click the cog or ‘gear shape’ icon on the top right corner
4. Now you should be on the ‘Setting’ page
5. Select “Payment Settings”
6. Select “One-Step Payment/Auto Debit”
7. Select the service or subscription you want to cancel. (Ignore the first two entries, “Barcode Payments” and “Transportation Payments.” All your subscribed services should be listed here, if you don't see any options, then you are currently not subscribed to anything that deducts money automatically from your alipay account.)
8. Click the “Disable Service” option
9. Click “Confirm and deactivate”
10. Job done!

How to delete your Alipay business or merchant account subscription?

Can I cancel or terminate my Alipay subscription? The answer is yes. According to Alipay Global: “After the buyer has successfully subscribed, the buyer can cancel the subsequent subscription, terminate the subscription service immediately, or modify the subscription information based on the buyer's business scenario and the buyer's requirements.”

Know that** there are two scenarios you can delete your Alipay business subscription**:

1. Cancel subscription, which it will take effect next billing month

When to cancel:

• The buyer requests to cancel the subscription renewal, meaning that the subscription will no longer take effect from the next period.
• You cancel a subscription in case of a failed payment.

1. Terminate the subscription immediately. When you can terminate immediately: “In case of buyer complaints, the subscription can be immediately terminated, meaning that the subscription service is ceased immediately after initiating the termination request.”

FAQs about deleting Alipay accounts

1. Can I reactivate my deleted Alipay account? No. Deleting an Alipay account is a permanent action and once it’s deleted, reactivation is not possible.

2. How long does it take to delete an Alipay account?

   It usually takes 10-30 seconds to finish all the prompted steps. Then your Alipay account is deleted immediately.

3. Is there any way to withdraw the money I left on Alipay after deleting the account?

   The short answer is no. Because Alipay won’t allow you to delete your account as long as there is any money or ongoing service or contract in your Alipay account.

Circumstances when you can’t delete your Alipay account

1. There is a balance left in the account (including the balance of Jifenbao: Chinese name 集分宝)

2. There is an amount in the Yu'e Bao(Chinese name: 余额宝) account

3. There are ongoing transactions in the transaction record

4. The account has been enabled for withholding (such as universal withholding,

CAE Withholding, air travel credit payment, etc.)

1. The account is opened with Huabei(Chinese name:花呗) You can only delete your Alipay account after you deactivate your HuaBei service.

2. Does not comply with other "Alipay Service Agreements", "Alipay Account Cancellation Instructions", or there is a special agreement between Alipay and the user Conditions;

3. The account has ongoing business (such as applying to find a password, or modifying the mobile phone number, etc.)

4. The account is not disputed (i.e. has no transaction disputes, no account function restrictions, etc.)

5. For merchants who signed a contract with Alipay (such as a platform provider) cannot cancel their Alipay account during the contract period

6. Users who have opened a Baodian (宝点) account and have a balance in Baodian

Note: with the conditions listed above, it doesn't mean you can’t close your Alipay by any means, it just means that you have to fully terminate any and all subservices within Alipay, pay back any money or credit you owe, and withdraw all money left in the balance; - then you can finally delete your Alipay account.

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