China SIM Card – Registration Guide & Identification

Travel Preparation: Legal Real-Name Verification

In China, there is a legal requirement for registration (similar to prepaid cards in Europe). You can complete this process easily and digitally via the official Nihao Mobile App. Please follow these three simple steps to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.

Step 1

Preparation & Documents

Have the following documents ready before starting the process:

  • Your valid passport.
  • Your China Unicom SIM card (from your Berlin starter package).
  • Ensure your smartphone is not SIM-locked (network locked).
Step 2

App Download

Download the official service app "Nihao Mobile" from your app store:

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

(Alternatively, search directly for "Nihao Mobile" in the App Store or Google Play Store.)

Step 3

Identity Verification (Two-Step Verification)

Open the Nihao Mobile app and follow the two-step verification process before and after your arrival:

Part A: Before departure (Registration from home)

In this step, the system will request a photo of your passport data page, your visa page, and your entry stamp:

  • Travelers requiring a visa: Upload a photo of the passport page and a photo of your valid visa.
  • Visa-free entry (e.g., citizens of DE, AT, CH): Since you do not have a visa or a stamp before departure, simply upload a photo of your passport data page again when prompted for the "Visa" and "Entry stamp." This will successfully complete the pre-check-in.
Part B: After landing in China (Providing the stamp)

After passing through border control at the Chinese airport, you will receive the red entry stamp in your passport:

⚠️ Important – 12-hour deadline: After arrival, briefly open the app and upload the photo of your Chinese entry stamp (China Inspection / 入境) within 12 hours to finalize the verification and prevent your card from being blocked.
Example: Chinese entry stamp (China Inspection)

Ensure the photo of the red oval stamp with the date is sharp and clearly legible.

🔒 Data Privacy & Legal Compliance

Your identification data is transmitted in encrypted form and is used exclusively for compliance with Chinese telecommunications laws. The usage period of your booked data package only begins once you first connect to the network locally.