Should I use the DiDi app or its Alipay mini-program?

At a glance

• Two entry points: the standalone app is DiDi; the Alipay entry is the DiDi ride-hailing mini-program. Shanghai’s visitor guide confirms that a DiDi ride booked through Alipay is deducted through Alipay. [2]
• The standalone developer listing supports overseas mobile-number registration, international bank cards and an English interface. You do not need to buy a Chinese SIM just to register for this app. [1]
• In the standalone app, the published language path is Me → Settings → General → Language → English → Confirm; translated driver messaging is available. [2]
• The standalone app advertises 24/7 in-app English customer service. The useful reason to install it is easier access to rides and support, rather than an assumed fare discount. [1]
• The driver may ask for the last four digits of the phone number used for the booking. Use the number on that ride, including when it is an overseas number. [2]

What to do next

1. Before arrival, set up the entry point you intend to use. If Alipay is already installed and your card works, search its home screen for DiDi or 滴滴出行 and open the ride-hailing mini-program. Complete its own sign-in or phone authorisation when requested. If that stalls, install the standalone DiDi app from your normal app store while you still have a working connection and SMS access.
2. In the standalone app, choose your actual telephone country code, register with the number that can receive its verification code, and switch the interface to English. Add the payment method offered to your account. Keep a record of which number you used; changing the SIM providing internet does not by itself tell a driver a different booking number.
3. Enter the destination, then inspect both pins. Use the hotel’s Chinese address and confirm the right branch. At an airport, select the terminal and the signed ride-hailing pickup area, not simply the aircraft-arrival point. The app’s suggested meeting place may require a walk to another floor or car park.
4. Select the vehicle category and inspect the quoted price and payment method before requesting. For a fair comparison between the two entry points, use the same pickup, destination, time and category. Accept the price you are happy with; an account-specific coupon does not establish that one entry point is always cheaper.
5. Wait in the displayed zone and follow messages inside the booking. Match the licence plate and vehicle details before entering. Give the requested last four booking-phone digits. Use translated text to say which door or pillar you are beside instead of trying to describe the entire terminal by voice.
6. After arrival, let the booked payment flow finish and inspect the ride receipt. If there is a payment problem, reopen that ride in the entry point that created it. Keep the order number and amount together. Resolve an unpaid order before ordering another car; moving to another app makes the original transaction harder to follow.

If your situation is different

If you only need airport and station rides, Alipay is the simpler starting point because you already use it for everyday payments. Keep the mini-program accessible in your recent items and save the Chinese destination address outside the app as well.

If you expect several rides a day, install standalone DiDi. The dedicated trip history, published English support and translated messages make it a useful home for your transport. Finish registration before deleting or abandoning your original entry point, especially if it contains an open ride or refund.

If you have different phone numbers in Alipay and DiDi, treat the booking identity shown in each as the relevant one. Do not assume trip history, coupons or unpaid balances will appear in the other account. Find an existing order where you booked it before asking support about it.

If you need five passenger seats, solve the vehicle choice separately. A standard car is the wrong fallback for an oversized group. Look for an appropriately sized six-seat business option where offered, state your passenger and luggage count, or book two cars. A different app entry point does not make a small vehicle larger.

Common mistakes

• Installing several similarly named apps in a hurry. Use the DiDi app and check the developer listing, rather than downloading a ride-booking advertisement that appears in search.
• Requesting a second car because the first app seems slow. First inspect the original booking status and cancel through that booking if needed; two accepted rides create two drivers looking for you.
• Giving the last four digits of the SIM currently supplying data. The driver needs the number attached to the ride, which may be your home number.
• Paying again outside the booked ride before inspecting its status. An in-app payment can already be processing; show the receipt or payment screen and resolve that specific order.

Quick questions