In China, your phone does almost everything: it pays, it orders, it translates, it calls taxis and it opens the metro gates. But many of the apps you use at home don't work the same way here. Setting up the right apps to use in China before you land is the single easiest way to make your first weeks stress-free.
This is the app list we recommend to every au pair joining the au pair program in China, with what each one is for and how to set it up.
Quick answer: the essentials are WeChat (messages and payments), Alipay (payments, metro, taxis and bikes), a maps app that works in China, a translator, Didi for rides and Trip.com for trains. With Masons Au Pair you also receive a local SIM card and VPN access when you arrive.
1. WeChat: Your Whole Life in One App
WeChat (微信) is how everyone in China communicates: your host family, your Masons coordinator, your Mandarin teacher and your new friends. It's also used for payments, group chats, sharing locations and even sending digital red envelopes during Chinese New Year.
- Create your account before you leave home
- Link an international Visa or Mastercard in the WeChat Pay wallet
- Ask your family at home to install it too: it's the easiest way to stay in touch
2. Alipay: Payments, Metro and More
Alipay (支付宝) is the other giant of mobile payments, and it has an English interface. Beyond paying in shops and restaurants, it opens "mini-programs" for taxis, shared bikes, train tickets and food delivery, all without downloading anything else. In Chengdu you can also use it to pay for the metro by scanning a QR code at the gate.
Want to know how much you'll actually spend? Read our guide to au pair pocket money in China.
3. Maps That Work in China
Google Maps is not reliable in China. Instead, use Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps, the apps locals use for directions, public transport and live traffic. If you have an iPhone, Apple Maps also works well in China. Save your host family's address in Chinese characters, so you can always show it to a taxi driver.
4. Didi: Taxis Made Easy
Didi (滴滴) is China's ride-hailing app, similar to Uber. It has an English version and can also be used inside Alipay. Rides are affordable, and you can share your trip with your host family for extra peace of mind.
5. Translation and Language Apps
- Pleco: the best Chinese–English dictionary, with handwriting and camera input
- Baidu Translate or Youdao: fast translation that works without a VPN
- Apple Translate: useful offline on iPhone
- The translate button inside WeChat, perfect for messages from your host family
Translation apps are a great start, but nothing beats real Mandarin. Read our guide on how to learn Chinese effectively as an au pair.
Set up WeChat and Alipay before you fly, and your first day in China will feel completely different.
6. Food Delivery and Restaurants
Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么) deliver almost anything, from noodles to bubble tea, in minutes. Their apps are mostly in Chinese, but you can order through mini-programs inside Alipay, or ask your host family to show you the first time. Dianping (大众点评) is the place to find the best local restaurants, a must in a food city like Chengdu. Start with our guide to Chinese food.
7. Trains and Travel
China's high-speed trains are the best way to explore. Trip.com lets you book trains, flights and hotels in English, and the official 12306 app also has an English version. Book early for holidays, especially around Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week. Need ideas? Read our top cities to visit in China.
8. Shopping and Inspiration
- Taobao and JD.com: online shopping with very fast delivery
- Xiaohongshu (RedNote): tips, reviews and ideas for cafés, trips and things to do
- Shared bikes from Meituan or Hello Bike, unlocked with Alipay
What About Instagram, WhatsApp and Google?
Many Western apps and websites are restricted in China. That's why Masons Au Pair provides VPN access and a local SIM card as part of the program, so you can keep using the apps you rely on to stay in touch with home. For everything you'll need to bring, see our China packing list.
Install before you fly
- WeChat (with a linked card)
- Alipay (with a linked card)
- Pleco and a translator
- Amap or Baidu Maps
- Trip.com
Set up once you arrive
- Your Chinese SIM card
- VPN access from Masons
- Metro QR code in Alipay
- Didi and food delivery
- Your host family's WeChat group
Frequently Asked Questions
What apps do I need in China?
The essentials are WeChat, Alipay, a maps app like Amap or Baidu Maps, a translator such as Pleco, Didi for taxis and Trip.com for trains and flights.
Can foreigners use Alipay and WeChat Pay?
Yes. Both apps let you link an international Visa or Mastercard, so you can pay almost everywhere in China from day one.
Does Google Maps work in China?
Not reliably. Use Amap or Baidu Maps, or Apple Maps on iPhone, for accurate directions and public transport.
Will WhatsApp and Instagram work in China?
Many Western apps are restricted. With Masons Au Pair, VPN access and a local SIM card are included, so you can stay in touch with home.
Ready for life in China?
Applications are open. Tell us about yourself and we'll help you set everything up, from your visa to your first metro ride in Chengdu.
Apply to Masons Au Pair