US Phone Carriers in China: Complete Roaming Guide (2026)

If you’re a US traveler going to China, your phone plan becomes a travel decision—not a billing detail.

Because in China, roaming is not just about “can I send texts?” It affects:

• whether your bank’s 2FA codes arrive,
• whether your Google services work without extra steps,
• whether your navigation loads when you’re tired and lost,
• and whether your trip starts with calm… or chaos.

This guide compares the big US carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, US Cellular) for China roaming and shows cheaper alternatives like local SIM and travel eSIM.

Quick Answer

• Roaming is the easiest option (it just works), but often the most expensive.
• Travel eSIM is usually the best balance for many travelers: predictable cost + fast setup.
• If you need a China phone number for local services, a local mainland SIM can help—but requires more effort.
• Best “no surprise bill” setup for many people: keep US line for SMS/2FA + use eSIM for data.

Table of Contents

• How Roaming Works in China (and Why It Matters)
• AT&T in China (International Day Pass)
• Verizon in China (TravelPass / Plans)
• T-Mobile in China (International Data)
• US Cellular in China
• Data Speed and Reliability: What to Expect
• Calls, SMS, and 2FA (The Real Problem)
• Cheaper Alternatives (Local SIM and eSIM)
• Setup Steps (Don’t Skip These)
• Common Pitfalls
• FAQ
• CTA: Build Your China Connectivity Plan

How Roaming Works in China (and Why It Matters)

When you roam, you’re using a Chinese network (China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom), but your plan is still managed by your US carrier.

Two practical consequences:

1. Cost: roaming can be expensive unless you have a pass or included international data.
2. Routing: sometimes your traffic routes differently than a local SIM. This can affect access to blocked services. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s one reason some travelers find roaming “easier” for certain Western apps.

Roaming is not a VPN. But it can change your network path enough that some blocked-site pain is reduced for certain users.

If you need to test access from a local connection, see: How to test if a website is blocked in China.

Big 4 Comparison: AT&T vs Verizon vs T-Mobile vs US Cellular (China Roaming)

Exact pricing changes by plan and year, so treat this as a “structure comparison,” not a billing quote. Always confirm current terms in your carrier app before you fly.

Carrier	Common roaming style	Best for	Main downside
AT&T	Day-pass style on many plans	Predictable day-by-day travel	Costs add up on long trips
Verizon	Day-pass style on many plans	Predictable day-by-day travel	Can get expensive if used daily
T-Mobile	Often includes some international data on many plans	Light usage travelers	Included data may be slow/limited
US Cellular	Plan-dependent roaming	Existing US Cellular users	Less predictable; confirm before travel

Roaming options cheat sheet (how billing usually works)

This is the part that prevents “I opened TikTok for 12 seconds and paid $40” stories.

Carrier	Common options you’ll see	How it usually triggers	What to check before flying
AT&T	International Day Pass; pay-per-use	Day pass triggers when you use data/call/text abroad (plan-dependent)	Is Day Pass enabled? What’s the daily fee? Is there a max days per billing cycle?
Verizon	TravelPass; monthly international add-ons; pay-per-use	TravelPass triggers on usage; some plans include limited intl data	Is TravelPass on? Daily fee? Included high-speed data or only passes?
T‑Mobile	Included “global” data on many plans; high-speed passes	Included data may be limited/slow; passes upgrade speed/allowance	Is China included for your tier? What speed is “included”? How to buy a pass?
US Cellular	International roaming add-ons (varies)	Depends on add-on and partner network	Is roaming allowed on your line? What are China rates/add-ons?

The travel math that matters

Ask yourself:

• How many days will I be in China?
• Do I need constant data, or just occasional messaging?
• Do I want convenience at any price, or predictable spending?

If you use day-pass roaming every day on a long trip, you can easily spend enough to fund multiple eSIMs and still have money left for dumplings.

Choose your setup in 30 seconds (decision matrix)

Your situation	Recommended setup	Why
Short trip (1–3 days), you hate setup	Roam with a pass	Convenience wins; cost is capped-ish by days
You need bank SMS/2FA reliably	Keep US line active + add eSIM for data	SMS stays on your US number; data stays cheap
You need a China phone number for deliveries/registrations	Local SIM (or dual SIM)	Some services want a mainland number
You’re cost-sensitive and data-hungry	Travel eSIM (data) + US line (SMS only)	Predictable cost; avoids daily roaming charges
You’re going remote/rural	eSIM or local SIM + be ready to switch networks	Coverage differs by carrier/region

Three setup recipes (copy/paste)

Recipe 1: “I just need maps + messages for 3 days”

• Use a roaming day pass.
• Turn on Wi‑Fi calling.
• Download offline maps.

Pros: zero brainpower.
Cons: you pay for convenience.

Recipe 2: “I need my bank codes, but I don’t want roaming bills”

• Keep your US SIM active for calls/SMS.
• Turn data roaming OFF for the US line.
• Use a travel eSIM as the data line.

Pros: best cost control + keeps 2FA working.
Cons: you must set the correct data line once.

Recipe 3: “Longer trip + I want a China number”

• Buy a local mainland SIM (passport registration required).
• Keep your US SIM on as a secondary line if your phone supports dual SIM.

Pros: local number helps with some registrations and deliveries.
Cons: more setup and occasional bureaucracy.

AT&T in China (International Day Pass)

AT&T’s International Day Pass is a common travel option.

Typical experience:

• easy activation
• good reliability in major cities
• cost can add up if you’re in China for many days

Traveler tip:

• confirm whether Day Pass is automatically triggered when you use data abroad
• decide if you want that (or you’ll accidentally buy “premium data” by opening Instagram for 2 seconds)

AT&T: What to do before you board the plane

1. Open the AT&T app/account page and find international roaming settings.
2. Confirm International Day Pass is enabled (or intentionally disabled).
3. Check whether your plan has a maximum number of day-pass charges per billing cycle (some plans do).
4. Confirm whether international SMS is included and whether it works while roaming.
5. Save a screenshot of your plan terms (so you can win arguments with customer support later).

AT&T: Best for

• You want “it just works” and don’t mind paying for convenience.
• You’re in China for a short time and prefer simplicity.

AT&T: Watch-outs

• If the day pass triggers easily, you can get charged on days you barely used data.
• If you rely on Wi‑Fi, disable data roaming to avoid accidental triggers.

Verizon in China (TravelPass / Plans)

Verizon often offers TravelPass-style daily roaming options.

Typical experience:

• solid coverage in cities
• predictable daily fee if you use the pass system

Traveler tip:

• verify whether your plan includes any international data
• confirm how billing triggers (data usage vs day-based)

Verizon: What to check

• Is TravelPass enabled for your line?
• What’s the daily fee and what counts as a “day” (local time matters)?
• Do you have any included international data, or do you need a pass?
• Does your plan support Wi‑Fi Calling and international SMS while roaming?

Verizon: Best for

• You want predictable daily billing and don’t want to fiddle with eSIMs.
• You’re traveling with family and want one consistent approach.

Verizon: Watch-outs

• Like any day-pass system, it can be pricey on longer trips.
• If you’re using roaming mostly for maps + translation, eSIM often wins on cost.

T-Mobile in China (International Data)

T-Mobile plans often include some international data in many countries, but speeds and allowances vary by plan.

Typical experience:

• convenient if your plan includes it
• may be slower depending on your plan tier
• high-speed passes may be available

Traveler tip:

• check whether your included international data is “low speed” vs “high speed”
• if you need reliable navigation and translation, low-speed international data can feel painful

T‑Mobile: The “included data” reality check

Many travelers choose T‑Mobile because they’ve heard “international data is included.” That can be true—but included doesn’t always mean fast.

What this means in practice:

• Messaging apps: usually fine.
• Maps: okay for loading routes; less fun for heavy browsing.
• Video: don’t even think about it unless you have a high-speed pass.

T‑Mobile: Best for

• Light usage travelers (messages, occasional maps).
• People who want a no-stress backup line and plan to use Wi‑Fi often.

T‑Mobile: Watch-outs

• If your included data is slow, plan a workaround: offline maps + an eSIM upgrade.

US Cellular in China

US Cellular roaming depends heavily on:

• plan type,
• partner agreements,
• and whether you’ve enabled international roaming on your account.

Traveler tip:

• confirm roaming support before travel
• consider a travel eSIM as a backup even if you plan to roam

US Cellular: What to do now (not at the airport)

US Cellular users should be extra proactive:

• confirm China is supported for your specific plan
• confirm whether you need an international add-on
• confirm whether your phone is configured for international roaming

If you get vague answers, treat roaming as “best effort” and bring a travel eSIM as a plan B.

Data Speed and Reliability: What to Expect

Real-world performance depends on:

• which local network you’re connected to (Mobile/Unicom/Telecom),
• your location (subway vs street vs rural),
• and network congestion.

Practical expectations:

• Cities: generally fine for maps, translation, messaging
• Subways: signal drops (offline maps help)
• Rural areas: one carrier may dominate coverage

Speed expectations (without pretending we all have the same phone tower)

Instead of chasing exact Mbps numbers (which vary by neighborhood and moon phase), plan based on tasks:

Task	Typically fine on roaming	Can feel painful on slow data
WeChat text/voice messages	Yes	Rarely
Google/Apple Maps basic routing	Usually	Yes (slow tile loading)
Translation apps	Usually	Sometimes (image translation uploads)
Didi ride-hailing	Usually	Yes (map loading + pickup pin)
Video calls	Maybe	Often
Streaming video	Sometimes	Usually

Reliability tricks

• Download offline maps (Baidu/Amap/Apple Maps) before you arrive.
• Save hotel address screenshots in Chinese (so you’re not dependent on a loading screen).
• If coverage is weird, manually switch networks (details below).

Calls, SMS, and 2FA (The Real Problem)

Data is nice. SMS verification codes are trip-critical.

What usually works

• SMS to your US number: often works on roaming, but not always on every plan.
• iMessage/WhatsApp/WeChat: usually fine if you have data or Wi‑Fi.
• Wi‑Fi Calling: can be a lifesaver in hotels.

Best practice for travelers who need bank codes

• Keep your US line active (even if data roaming is off).
• Use a travel eSIM for data.
• Test 2FA before the trip by logging into a bank account from a different device and confirming your code arrives.

If you depend on Google services or ChatGPT for work, read: Is ChatGPT available in China? (2026).

Cheaper Alternatives (Local SIM and eSIM)

Option 1: Travel eSIM (best for many travelers)

Pros:

• quick setup (QR code)
• predictable pricing
• no shop visit

Cons:

• often data-only (no Chinese phone number)

Full iPhone setup guide: Best SIM card for iPhone in China.

Option 2: Local mainland SIM (best if you need a China number)

Pros:

• local number + local SMS
• often cheaper data

Cons:

• requires passport registration
• setup is more effort

Option 3: Use roaming for SMS only + eSIM for data (smart hybrid)

This is one of the best traveler setups:

• keep your US line active for SMS/2FA
• keep data on the travel eSIM

It prevents:

• surprise roaming bills,
• missed verification codes,
• and “I can’t log in to my bank because I changed SIMs” disasters.

Quick comparison: roaming vs eSIM vs local SIM vs pocket Wi‑Fi

Option	Setup difficulty	Cost control	Gets a China phone number	Best for
US roaming pass	Low	Medium	No	Short trips, convenience-first
Travel eSIM	Low–medium	High	Usually no	Most tourists
Local mainland SIM	Medium	High	Yes	Longer stays, China-number needs
Pocket Wi‑Fi	Medium	Medium	No	Groups/devices, not ideal for 2FA

Setup Steps (Don’t Skip These)

Step 1: Enable roaming before you leave

Call or check your carrier settings:

• international roaming enabled
• day pass/travel pass enabled (if you plan to use it)

Step 2: Turn on Wi‑Fi calling (if your carrier supports it)

Wi‑Fi calling can help with:

• receiving calls/SMS in hotels
• avoiding some roaming charges

Step 3: Disable surprise data roaming if you don’t want it

On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → (select your US line) → Data Roaming OFF

Use the travel eSIM for data instead.

Step 4: Test before the trip

Test at home:

• can you log into your carrier app?
• do you have the right roaming add-ons?
• do you have a backup plan?

Step 5: Learn how to manually pick a network (for “No Service” moments)

Sometimes your phone latches onto a weak partner network. Manual selection helps.

On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → (your line) → Network Selection → Automatic OFF → pick a network

In China you’ll usually see options like:

• China Mobile
• China Unicom
• China Telecom

If one network is flaky in a neighborhood or inside a mall, switching can be faster than troubleshooting for 30 minutes.

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Roaming triggers expensive daily fees

Fix:

• understand how your pass triggers
• set the correct “data line” on iPhone

Pitfall 2: You can’t receive bank verification codes

Fix:

• keep your US number active
• confirm international SMS works on your plan

Pitfall 3: You assume roaming means “no Great Firewall”

Fix:

• roaming is not a VPN
• for guaranteed access to blocked services, set up a VPN: Best VPN for China (2024)

Pitfall 4: You arrive with zero navigation

Fix:

• install and test a China-friendly map app before you fly
• download an offline area map for your arrival city

Navigation guide: /guide/03-daily-survival/navigation

Pitfall 5: Your eSIM works, but apps feel “broken”

Fix:

• assume some Western services are blocked and plan alternatives
• keep a VPN ready for critical work tools
• use local equivalents for maps, payments, and messaging when needed

FAQ

Which US carrier works best in China?

All major carriers can work, but the “best” depends on your plan and add-ons. For many travelers, the biggest difference is cost structure rather than basic connectivity.

Do I need to unlock my phone to roam?

Usually no. Roaming works on locked phones because you’re still using your US SIM. You do need an unlocked phone if you plan to use a local Chinese SIM (or some travel eSIMs).

Can I keep my US number active while using an eSIM?

Yes. On modern iPhones and many Android phones you can keep two lines active. Use the US line for SMS/2FA and set the eSIM as the data line.

Is roaming faster than a travel eSIM?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Roaming can be excellent in big cities. Travel eSIMs can also be fast. Reliability matters more than peak speed.

Will roaming let me use Google/ChatGPT without a VPN?

Sometimes roaming routes traffic differently, which can improve access for some services. It’s not guaranteed. If you need reliability, use a VPN or keep a local alternative.

Should I get a VPN even if I’m roaming?

If you rely on blocked services for work (Google suite, Slack web access, ChatGPT, etc.), yes—set up a VPN before you arrive. Roaming sometimes feels “better” because traffic can route differently, but it’s inconsistent. A VPN is still the most reliable way to access blocked services when you truly need them.

What’s the simplest “I refuse to troubleshoot” option?

Enable a roaming day pass, turn on Wi‑Fi calling, and download offline maps before you fly. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s the calmest.

CTA: Build Your China Connectivity Plan

The best plan is the one that keeps you online without surprise bills. Bring a backup option, because airports are where plans go to die.

Recommended reading:

• Best SIM card for iPhone in China
• Best VPN for China (2024)
• Is ChatGPT available in China? (2026)