QR Payments

glossaire masons au pair
QR Payments in China — WeChat/Alipay Setup, Scan & Show, Safety & Troubleshooting | Masons Au Pair

QR Payments in China — WeChat/Alipay Setup, Scan & Show, Safety & Troubleshooting

In China, QR payments are everywhere—from tea stalls and night markets to taxis and campus canteens. This guide shows au pairs and students how to set up, pay, split bills, and stay safe using WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Two Main Apps & Two Ways to Pay

Apps

  • WeChat Pay (微信支付) — built into WeChat.
  • Alipay (支付宝) — standalone app; has an International onboarding flow in many regions.

Pay Flows

  • Scan-to-Pay (扫商家码): You scan the merchant’s QR, enter amount (if asked), confirm with PIN/Face ID.
  • Show-to-Pay (出示付款码): You show your personal QR code; the cashier scans it to charge the exact amount.

Quick Setup (Beginner-Friendly)

1) Install & Verify

  • Download WeChat and/or Alipay.
  • Register with your mobile number and complete basic identity checks if prompted.
  • Set a payment PIN and enable device biometrics.

2) Add a Way to Pay

  • Link a card in-app where supported (International options vary by country/bank).
  • Some users add local accounts after arrival; others use the app’s international flow.
  • Do a small test purchase (e.g., bottled water) to confirm it works.

Availability and fees depend on your region/bank. Keep a little cash as backup during week one.

In-Store: Exactly What to Tap

A) Scan the Merchant’s Code

  1. Open app → tap Scan (扫一扫).
  2. Point at the shop’s QR (near the register).
  3. If a number field appears, enter the amount they say; confirm with PIN/Face.
  4. Show the paid screen if the cashier asks.

B) Show Your Payment Code

  1. Open app → tap Pay/收付款.
  2. Your dynamic QR appears; let the cashier scan.
  3. Approve if your app asks; you’ll see a success tick.

Street stalls often use static QR where you type the amount. Double-check the merchant name and the amount before confirming.

Online, Taxis & Vending

  • Mini-programs (within WeChat/Alipay) let you pay for taxis, food delivery, tickets.
  • Ride-hailing/taxis: you can pay in-app or scan the driver’s QR at the end.
  • Vending & kiosks: scan screen QR → amount appears → confirm.

Split Bills & Transfers

Split a Bill

  • One person pays; others Transfer (转账) the share to them in-app.
  • Group chats in WeChat have a Split Bill feature in many versions.

Red Packets (红包)

  • Fun small transfers; set amount → send to a friend or group.
  • Great for friendly reimbursements under small amounts.

Receipts, Records & “Fapiao”

  • Your payment history lives in the app under Bills/交易记录.
  • For reimbursement, screenshot the bill or ask the merchant about fapiao (official e-invoice) where available.

Safety & Best Practices

  • Verify the name shown after scanning a QR. If it’s not the shop’s name, ask.
  • Never pay via links or QR codes sent by strangers outside the official app chat.
  • Confirm the amount before you press pay. For typed amounts, say it aloud with the cashier.
  • Enable PIN/biometrics, set a modest single-transaction limit if your app supports it.
  • Only refund to the original channel; avoid sending money to “personal codes” for refunds.

Troubleshooting (Fast Fixes)

Payment Fails

  • Switch data/wifi; try again.
  • Use the other app (WeChat ↔ Alipay) or pay cash.
  • Card/region not supported for this merchant: try a smaller amount or different method.

Scans but No Response

  • The code may be static—you must enter the amount.
  • Glare on screen? Tilt your phone; clean the camera.
  • If it still fails, ask for the cashier’s show-to-pay scan.

Costs, Limits & FX Basics

  • Domestic wallet-to-merchant payments are generally low/zero-fee to users.
  • Linking an international card may involve FX spread and occasional fees; check your bank/app.
  • Some accounts have daily/transaction limits; adjust in settings where available.

Useful Mandarin at the Counter

  • 可以扫码吗？— Can I scan to pay?
  • 我自己输入金额吗？— Do I enter the amount myself?
  • 请出示你的收款码。— Please show your receiving code.
  • 这个金额对吗？— Is this amount correct?
  • 可以开发票吗？— Can you issue a fapiao (invoice)?
  • 可以用支付宝/微信吗？— Can I use Alipay/WeChat?

First-Week Checklist

  1. Install apps, verify account, set payment PIN.
  2. Add a card (or local method) and make a small test purchase.
  3. Practice both flows: scan a merchant and show your code.
  4. Enable notifications and keep a cash backup for edge cases.

Pay Like a Local with Masons Au Pair

We’ll walk you through setup, test purchases, and safety habits—plus share Mandarin prompts for shops and taxis—so QR payments feel easy from day one.

Join Our Au Pair Program