# Connectivity > SIM cards, eSIMs, Wi-Fi and VPNs — and how to stay reachable once your usual apps stop working. 15 guides - [Apps to Install Before You Travel to China](https://12001.net/guides/apps-for-china/) — The apps that actually matter in China — messaging, maps, payments, ride-hailing, trains and translation — and how to set them up before you lose internet. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/apps-for-china.md - [Which Apps Actually Work in China Without a VPN](https://12001.net/guides/apps-that-work-in-china-without-vpn/) — A practical rundown of the apps that function normally in mainland China — and what to install before your flight so you're not stranded at the airport. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/apps-that-work-in-china-without-vpn.md - [Staying Connected in Beijing: 3-Week Trips vs. 6-Month Stays](https://12001.net/guides/beijing-connectivity-short-trip-vs-long-stay/) — Choosing between eSIMs, tourist SIMs, and long-term residence plans in Beijing — what works for a 3-week visit, and what you'll need for a 6-month stay. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/beijing-connectivity-short-trip-vs-long-stay.md - [Buying or Repairing a Phone in Beijing: Official Stores, Gray Market and Warranty Realities for Visitors](https://12001.net/guides/beijing-phone-buying-repair-guide/) — Where to buy a phone in Beijing without being taken for a ride: the five Apple stores and how to reach them, what mainland-model phones do differently, how the departure tax refund applies, and what a repair actually costs. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/beijing-phone-buying-repair-guide.md - [When Your VPN Fails in Beijing: Practical Backup Plans](https://12001.net/guides/beijing-vpn-backup-plans/) — VPNs in China do stop working, usually at the worst moment. Here's how to layer backups — double VPN apps, international roaming, eSIMs, and a spare phone — so you're never cut off. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/beijing-vpn-backup-plans.md - [eSIM in China: Trip.com vs Airalo vs ByteSIM vs Hong Kong eSIM Compared](https://12001.net/guides/esim-china-trip-com-vs-airalo-vs-bytesim-vs-hong-kong-esim/) — A first-timer's guide to choosing an eSIM for mainland China: how the big four options compare on price, coverage, and — crucially — whether you can use WhatsApp, Google, and Instagram without a VPN. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/esim-china-trip-com-vs-airalo-vs-bytesim-vs-hong-kong-esim.md - [Internet in China for Foreigners: SIM, eSIM, Roaming and Staying Connected](https://12001.net/guides/internet-in-china/) — How to get online in China as a visitor — roaming, airport SIM cards, eSIM options, and a careful note on what works and what doesn't. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/internet-in-china.md - [Hotspot Tethering Fails? Fixing Your Nihao Mobile SIM on a Laptop](https://12001.net/guides/nihao-mobile-tethering-fix/) — Your Nihao Mobile SIM works in your phone but the laptop hotspot won't load pages? Here's a step-by-step checklist to get tethering working, from APN quirks to APN-free workarounds. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/nihao-mobile-tethering-fix.md - [OnePlus Phones Without eSIM: Model List and Your China Connectivity Options](https://12001.net/guides/oneplus-phones-without-esim-china-connectivity/) — If your OnePlus phone lacks eSIM support, getting online in China takes a little planning. Here's which models to check and the practical workarounds that actually work. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/oneplus-phones-without-esim-china-connectivity.md - [Pixel Phones Without eSIM Hardware — and How to Stay Connected in China Anyway](https://12001.net/guides/pixel-phones-no-esim-china-connectivity/) — Most modern Google Pixels support eSIM, but a few earlier models don't — which matters in China, where eSIM is the easiest data route for foreign visitors. Here's what to check and your best alternatives. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/pixel-phones-no-esim-china-connectivity.md - [SIM Cards and eSIM for Under-18s in Beijing: What Parents Need to Know](https://12001.net/guides/sim-card-esim-for-minors-under-18/) — China registers every phone number to a verified real person, and a minor cannot hold one alone. The age bands carriers actually apply, what a guardian must bring to a Beijing store, why a travel eSIM skips the whole process, and what each option costs. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/sim-card-esim-for-minors-under-18.md - [TikTok vs Douyin in China: What Western Travelers Need to Know](https://12001.net/guides/tiktok-vs-douyin-china/) — Western TikTok doesn't work normally inside mainland China. Here's what actually happens to the app on the ground, what Douyin is, and how to stay connected. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/tiktok-vs-douyin-china.md - [Tracking Your Trip.com eSIM: How to Check 30GB/30-Day Data Usage](https://12001.net/guides/tripcom-esim-data-usage-tracking/) — Running out of data mid-trip is avoidable. Here's how to monitor your Trip.com 30GB/30-day eSIM usage, what to do when you're close to the cap, and how to top up. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/tripcom-esim-data-usage-tracking.md - [Verification-Code Problems in Beijing: WeChat, Alipay & Shared Bikes with Foreign or eSIM Numbers](https://12001.net/guides/verification-codes-wechat-alipay-esim/) — Why verification codes fail when you're using a foreign or eSIM number in China — and the practical workarounds for WeChat, Alipay, and shared bikes. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/verification-codes-wechat-alipay-esim.md - [VPNs in China (2026): Astrill, LetsVPN, NordVPN, and Self-Hosted VPS — What Fits Your Stay](https://12001.net/guides/vpns-in-china-2026-short-vs-long-stays/) — Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram and Gmail don't work reliably in mainland China without a VPN. Here's an honest, practical rundown of the main options — and which one suits a one-week trip versus a multi-month stay. - Markdown: https://12001.net/guides/vpns-in-china-2026-short-vs-long-stays.md --- Source: https://12001.net/guides/topics/connectivity/ © KOULING Hotels