Guides
China eSIM: how to choose in 2026, ID registration, unlimited and install
Text updated 2026-10-31; prices are live
Before a business trip, family visit or holiday in mainland China, the usual questions are: do I need ID registration, can my phone take an eSIM, and is unlimited enough? This guide answers them with FUSION eSIM’s current China plans.
The short answer
- China eSIMs currently start from $0.99, with 22 plans. The price on the page is the price you pay at checkout.
- To use data freely every day, choose unlimited (1–30 days, from $0.99). Some unlimited plans slow down after a high-speed allowance; each plan says so.
- For light use at a lower price, choose fixed data (1 GB–20 GB, from $1.99); it stops when the data runs out.
- Days start only when you arrive in China and first connect to a local network, so you can install before you leave.
- Every plan listed right now uses a roaming network, so turn on Data Roaming when you arrive.
- None of the plans listed right now require ID registration.
Local network or roaming network?
A “Local network” plan uses a China carrier's own network: your phone shows the local carrier, your IP address is in China, and streaming and region-locked services work as they do for locals. A “Roaming network” plan connects to China's networks through a partner carrier: your phone shows roaming, and your IP address is usually outside China.
Every China plan listed right now uses a roaming network, so your IP address is usually outside China.
Either way, when you arrive turn on Data Roaming for this eSIM and switch Cellular Data to it. Roaming network plans need it to get online; leaving it on is fine for local network plans. Neither adds roaming charges.
Unlimited or fixed data?
To be clear: unlimited does not mean full speed all the time. Some unlimited plans have a high-speed allowance and slow down once it is used up. That is a fair-use rule, not a fault. We print the rule on every plan, for example “500 MB high-speed daily · Then reduced to 384 kbps”. Plans marked “No throttling” have no high-speed cap, though actual speeds still depend on the local carrier, signal and network congestion.
Fixed data is a set amount (for example “1 GB · 3 days”). When it runs out within the plan's days, it stops; it does not trickle on at a lower speed.
If you mostly use maps, messaging and a little social media, start with fixed data. If you stream video, make video calls or upload lots of photos every day, unlimited saves you counting, but check that the high-speed allowance is enough. Each row of the price table is the cheapest plan for that length or data amount.
Check your phone before you go
Some iPhones bought in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau have no eSIM. Before you leave, go to Settings → General → About: if you see an EID, it supports eSIM. On Android, dial *#06#; if an EID appears, it supports eSIM.
How are days counted?
Every plan FUSION eSIM lists starts counting days only when you arrive in China and the eSIM first connects to a local network, not on the day you buy or install it. So you can install it at home on Wi-Fi before you leave and turn it on when you land.
Count the days you will be in China: for a 5-day, 4-night trip, choose a 5-day plan. If there is no exact match, choose the next longer one.
How do I install it?
Right after payment, your eSIM is in “My eSIMs” on the website or in the App. On iPhone (iOS 17.4 or later), tap “Install Automatically” and follow the system screens to add the eSIM, with no QR code to scan. On Android, the FUSION eSIM App can install it in one tap; if your phone doesn’t support that, the App shows you how to paste the install code instead. On the website, tap “Copy install code” and paste it under Add eSIM in your phone’s Settings.
Before installing, make sure your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. The install code works only once and the eSIM cannot be reinstalled after you delete it, so keep it on your phone during the trip.
Do I need ID registration?
None of the China plans listed right now require ID registration; install it and you are ready.
China eSIM prices (live)
Prices are in US dollars. Each row is the cheapest plan for that length or data amount and updates with the plan catalog; the checkout page shows the final price.
Unlimited plans
| Days · data & speed | Network | Price | Select |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day500 MB high-speed daily · Then reduced to 384 kbps | Roaming network | $0.99 | Select |
| 2 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $6.99 | Select |
| 3 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $9.99 | Select |
| 4 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $12.99 | Select |
| 5 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $15.99 | Select |
| 6 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $18.99 | Select |
| 7 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $20.99 | Select |
| 8 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $23.99 | Select |
| 9 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $26.99 | Select |
| 10 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $29.99 | Select |
| 15 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $44.99 | Select |
| 30 daysUnlimited · No throttling | Roaming network | $88.99 | Select |
Fixed data plans
| Data · days | Network | Price | Select |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB3 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $1.99 | Select |
| 1 GB7 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $2.49 | Select |
| 3 GB7 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $4.99 | Select |
| 3 GB10 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $4.99 | Select |
| 3 GB30 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $4.99 | Select |
| 5 GB10 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $6.99 | Select |
| 5 GB15 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $6.99 | Select |
| 5 GB30 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $6.99 | Select |
| 10 GB30 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $12.99 | Select |
| 20 GB30 days · Stops when data runs out | Roaming network | $22.99 | Select |
Need bigger coverage?
Visiting other countries on the same trip? See the multi-country plans that cover China.
Get the FUSION eSIM App
Push alerts for remaining data and before expiry, one-tap install, and add a plan anytime. eSIMs bought on the website can be managed in the App with the same email.
China eSIM FAQ
Which China eSIM should I choose?
First decide between unlimited and fixed data, then check the network type and the days. FUSION eSIM's China plans currently start from $0.99, with 22 plans; unlimited 1–30 days; fixed data 1 GB–20 GB. Every plan shows its throttling rule and network type.
Do unlimited plans in China slow down?
Some do. Plans with a high-speed allowance slow down once it is used up, and each plan shows its rule. Plans marked “No throttling” have no high-speed cap, though actual speeds still depend on the local carrier, signal and network congestion.
When does my China eSIM start counting days?
Only when you arrive in China and the eSIM first connects to a local network. Installing before you leave doesn't start the count.
Do I need ID registration for a China eSIM?
No. None of the China plans listed right now require ID registration.
Do I need to turn on Data Roaming in China?
Yes. When you arrive, turn on Data Roaming for this eSIM and switch Cellular Data to it. It is needed to connect to the local carrier and adds no roaming charges.
Will an iPhone bought in mainland China or Hong Kong work with an eSIM?
Not every model. Some iPhones bought in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau have no eSIM; check for an EID under Settings → General → About.