How to Call China With a Phone or Through an App

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Learn how to make phone calls to China quickly and easily
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Making a call to China is much like any other phone call, but you'll need to know a few international calling codes to place your call correctly. This wikiHow article will teach you how to easily call China from another country using a phone or app.

Steps to Call China By Phone

  1. On your phone, enter your country’s exit code (011 for the United States).
  2. Next, enter the country code for China (86).
  3. Finally, enter the number you’re trying to call. Mobile numbers are 11 digits, while landlines include an area code plus 6-8 digit number.
  4. Dial to call on a landline, or enter the numbers and press the call button on a cell phone.
  5. You can also call China using apps like FaceTime.
Section 1 of 4:

Calling on a Phone

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  1. The exit code, also called the international call prefix or the dial out code, is the number that allows you to dial outside of the country you are currently in. Different countries have different exit codes. For instance, the exit code for the United States is 011, for Nigeria it’s 009, and for Saudi Arabia it’s 00. [1] Check the section below to see a list of exit codes from around the world.
    • You can find the exit codes by contacting your phone company or doing a quick internet search. Just type in the name of your country followed by "dial out code" or "exit calling code."
    • If you're on a cell phone, dial + instead of the exit code. Dialing a + will tell your phone to automatically apply the exit code for whatever country you're in. The + key is usually shared with the 0 key.
  2. This is the country code for China. The country code is typically 1-3 digits long. This code identifies the country to which you are placing a call; each nation has a different country code. [2]
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  3. In China, mobile phone numbers are 11 digits (not including the exit or country codes), and they always begin with 1, whereas landlines are usually 6-8 digits (without the exit or country codes). [3]
    • It is important to know whether the number is a landline or not, as you do not use area codes for Chinese mobile phones. [4]
  4. If you were dialing a mobile Chinese number from the United States, it would look like: 011-86-155-5555-5555. 011 is the US exit code, 86 is the Chinese country code, and 155 5555 5555 is the mobile number.
  5. The area code will narrow your call to the specific region in China that you are calling. [5]
    • Chinese area codes are 2-4 numbers long. For example, the area code for Shanghai is 21 while the area code for Ganzhou is 0787.
    • Check this page for a complete list of Chinese area codes.
  6. For example, if you were dialing a landline in Shanghai from the United States, you would dial: 011-86-21-55-5555. 011 is the US exit code, 86 is the Chinese country code, 21 the area code for Shanghai, and 55-5555 the landline number.
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Section 2 of 4:

Using Apps to Call China

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  1. If you have a Wi-Fi connected device, you can use an app to phone China. Make sure that your phone, tablet, laptop, or other device is connected to the Wi-Fi. [6]
    • If you don't have a Wi-Fi connection at home, find a hotspot at a library, cafe, or restaurant and connect there.
    • Remember that many apps, such as Facebook or WhatsApp, are banned in China. Make sure the app you choose will work in China.
  2. 2
    Download the WeChat app. WeChat is the most popular VoIP chat app in China. It’s available for iOS and Android devices as well as Mac and Windows computers. You can download it here , or get it from the App Store (Apple devices) or Google Play Store (Android).
    • Both you and the person you’re trying to call will need the WeChat app. Search for them using their mobile number or WeChat ID, then send them a friend request. Once they accept, you can start chatting! [7]
    • WeChat allows you to place free video and voice calls. You can also chat with your contacts over text.
  3. If you have an Apple device, FaceTime is probably included. Open the app and sign in with your Apple Account. If you are using an iPhone, you will be automatically signed in. [8]
    • In the app, enter the phone number or email address of the person you want to FaceTime. Then tap either the video or audio icon to make the call. The audio icon will be sound only.
    • To use FaceTime, the person you are calling will have to also have FaceTime. FaceTime is only available on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac). [9]
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Section 3 of 4:

Considerations Before You Call

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  1. Even though it geographically covers 5 different time zones, all of China uses China Standard Time, or Beijing Time. This is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8). This means that if you called at 1:00 PM from London (GMT), it would be 9:00 PM in China. If you called at 1:00 PM from Washington, DC (EDT), it would be 1:00 AM in China. Make sure you know the local time before you make your phone call to ensure you don’t call at an inconvenient time. [10]
    • Many websites will let you check the current time in China; this is an excellent way to certify that you are calling at an appropriate hour. [11]
  2. You can buy these online or at many convenience or department stores. They often offer a cheaper rate than your phone provider, and since they are prepaid, you will not receive an unexpectedly high phone bill.
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Section 4 of 4:

Exit Codes for Other Countries

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  1. Exit codes vary by country. We've made a list of all the major exit codes used worldwide, but this list is not exhaustive. To make sure you have the right exit code, check Google or your favorite search engine. [12]
    • 011 is the exit code for the United States, Canada, several US territories, and some Caribbean islands.
    • 00 is the exit code for almost all of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America, as well as some Asian countries.
      • Some countries, such as South Korea, Colombia, Brazil, Israel, Finland, and Indonesia use 00 but also allow or require extra digits to specify your carrier.
    • 0011 is the exit code for Australia. No other countries are currently using 0011 as an exit code.
    • 010 is the exit code for Japan, and it's the only country that currently uses this code.
    • 001 is used by Guyana, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Thailand, and Cambodia. 002 is used by Taiwan.
    • 0 is used by Samoa and Turks and Caicos.
    • 000 is used by Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Singapore.
    • 009 is only used by Nigeria.
    • 1XX0 is used in Chile, where the "XX" changes depending on your phone carrier.
    • 19XX is the exit code for Peru, where the "XX" is replaced by a specific carrier code.
    • 810 is the exit code for a number of countries in eastern Europe: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
    • 99 is the exit code for North Korea.

    Note: some countries have multiple exit codes that differ based on which service provider/carrier you’re using. As an example, Brazil has five different exit codes: 0014 (Brasil Telecom), 0015 (Telefonica), 0021 (Embratel), 0023 (Intelig), and 0031 (Telmar).

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the area code in China?
    Community Answer
    The area code will vary based on different locations within China. I would recommend searching online for the area code for a specific city or town.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What is the area code for Yiwu, China?
    Community Answer
    The area code for Yiwu, in Zhejiang province, is 0579. Most search engines will give you the area code if you type in the city's name followed by "area code."
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How can I call a police officer in China?
    Community Answer
    In China, you can call a police officer by dialing 110 or texting 12110. There are no fees for dialing these numbers if you are in mainland China. If you want to call a police officer in China from a different country, you should look up the phone number for the department you want to call, and then use the same methods for dialing as listed in the article.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/codes.html
      2. ↑ http://countrycode.org/china
      3. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/china/
      4. ↑ https://www.howtocallabroad.com/china/
      5. ↑ http://dialcode.org/Asia/China/
      6. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-wifi-calling/
      7. ↑ https://help.wechat.com/cgi-bin/micromsg-bin/oshelpcenter?opcode=2&lang=en&plat=ios&id=1703037nA7fa170303ZJvq2U&Channel=WeChatOfficialWebsite
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT204380
      9. ↑ https://mashtips.com/facetime-audio-calls-ios/
      1. ↑ https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/time_difference.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/china
      3. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-country-calling-codes-2231578

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to call China, first you have to dial your country’s exit code, which you can find by searching online. After you dial your exit code, dial 86, which is the country code for China. If you’re dialing a mobile number, enter the 11-digit phone number, which should always start with 1. If you’re dialing a landline, enter the area or city code, followed by your party’s personal phone number, which should be 6-8 digits. To learn how to use an app to call China, read on!

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