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# Which apps are the “must-haves” on the phones for the Chinese?
- URL: https://blog.chineseskill.com/2020/12/29/apps-which-apps-are-the-must-haves-on-the-phones-for-the-chinese/
- Published: 2020-12-29T09:16:11.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-05T03:34:59.000Z
- Author: ICY HU
- Tags: English, #Migrated-1785811753161, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-04 02:49

If categorizes according to their functions, the most popular and arguably indispensable apps on the phones of your average Chinese are:

## Quick Answer: Which apps are the “must-haves” on the phones for the Chinese?

This page is a December 2020 editorial snapshot of apps then commonly associated with messaging, payments, shopping, food delivery, video, music, transport, maps and local recommendations in China. It is not a current popularity or market-share ranking: availability, ownership, features and registration requirements can change.

| Topic         | Key point from this guide                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Article focus | This page is a December 2020 editorial snapshot of apps then commonly associated with messaging, payments, shopping, food delivery, video, music, transport, maps and local… |

*Editorial note:* The list below preserves what the editors selected in December 2020\. Check current app stores and each provider before treating any name, feature or requirement as current advice.

Social networking: WeChat

Payment: Alipay, WeChat pay

Shopping: Taobao, JD, Pinduoduo

Food delivery: MeiTuan, MISSFRESH, JD

Entertainment: DouYin, Bilibili, KuaiShou, Tencent, iQIYI, YouKu

Music: NetEaseMusic, QQMusic

Cab hailing: DiDi, AutoNavi

Maps: AutoNavi, BaiduMap

Recommendation: DianPing

  
按照中国人使用app的需求进行分类，大部分中国人手机上一定会有的app分别为：

聊天类：微信

支付类：支付宝/ 微信支付

购物类：淘宝/ 京东/拼多多

外卖类：美团/每日优鲜/京东到家

视频类：抖音/哔哩哔哩/快手/腾讯视频/爱奇艺/优酷

音乐类：网易云音乐/QQ音乐

打车类：滴滴/高德

地图类：高德地图/百度地图

好店推荐/机票旅游/电影购票类：大众点评

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What kinds of apps does this 2020 list cover?

It groups apps around communication, payments, shopping, food and groceries, video, music, transport, maps and local recommendations.

### Is this a current ranking of China's most popular apps?

No. It is an editorial snapshot published in December 2020, not a current usage ranking or market-share table.

### Should a traveler install every app named here?

No. Verify current availability, identity and payment requirements, privacy terms and regional support, then choose only what fits the trip.

*Scope:* These answers summarize this article. Language and cultural usage can vary by context, speaker, region and time.