Setting Up the Metro QR Code

In WeChat, tap Me → Services → All Services (全部服务). Under the 出行跨城 (Travel / intercity) section, find 公交地铁 (Bus & Metro), the green icon. Tap it.

This is a non-obvious starting point. The transit function is a WeChat mini program called 乘车码, built by Tencent Maps, not a native WeChat Pay feature, which is why it lives under All Services rather than in the payment menu.

The 乘车码 mini program opens. Your city auto-detects at the top of the screen, confirm it shows the city you're actually in. You'll see Bus&Subway, Taxi, CTG Bus, and More Services as icon options, with Bus&Subway already selected.

Under the Subway tab, you'll see "Shenzhen Subway Transit QR Code, get the public transit QR code for access to metro." Tap Go to activate.

This screen names the actual service: 深圳市地铁微信免密支付 (Shenzhen Metro WeChat Passwordless Payment), operated by a Shenzhen Metro-affiliated operating entity. Tick the checkbox to agree to the User Authorization Agreement, then tap Activate now.

A loading spinner appears briefly while the system processes. Wait a few seconds.

The mini app requests to access and verify your WeChat-bound phone number. Your number is displayed at the top — international numbers work fine here.

Tap your displayed phone number to allow it. Below it are two other options, Not Allowed and Use Another Number, which stop or redirect the flow. You want neither of those.

A popup reads 定位发生变化 (your location has changed), asking whether you want to switch. Tap 切换 (Switch) to confirm the city you're actually in, rather than 不再提示 (don't show again).

The screen reads 请先完成实名认证 (complete real-name verification first). The document type field (证件类型) defaults to 身份证, Chinese national ID card, with a single 姓名 (name) field beneath it.

Do not use 身份证. Tap the dropdown to change it — this mode's single name field isn't built for a passport's surname/given-name split, and 身份证 won't accept a passport number anyway.

A selection sheet appears with three options: 身份证 (Chinese ID card), 护照 (Passport — select this), and 回乡证 (HK/Macau return permit). Select 护照 and tap OK.

Selecting Passport changes the form to two name fields plus a document number: Surname (姓氏), Given name (名字), Document number (证件号码) — enter each exactly as printed in your passport. Tap 立即提交 (Submit now).

A deduction authorization screen appears, same service as Step 3. It shows the account (乘车码), a service intro explaining fares auto-deduct via WeChat Pay after each ride, and a Deduction Method defaulting to Balance.

This is the default you need to change. Balance is your WeChat Pay CNY wallet, which foreign users typically cannot top up easily. If you confirm here, your QR activates but payments will fail on your next ride. Tap the arrow next to Deduction Method to open your card list.

After selecting a linked card, the same screen shows your card in place of Balance. Confirm it reads your card, not Balance, then tap Agree and Activate.

You're back at the transit mini app home screen, now showing your live QR code under the Subway tab. Hold this QR code to the scanner at the metro gantry to enter, and again to exit. Fares are charged automatically to your card after each trip.

Metro stations have a bag scan. Alcohol at 20% ABV or above is confiscated, even if it is unopened, and staff may ask you to drink or pour out your liquids on the spot.

From the mini app home screen, tap the ··· menu in the top right corner. A share sheet appears. Tap Favourites (the cube icon). This puts the mini app one tap from your WeChat home screen.