I have a question. To get over the wall, we need:

Mainland China users using overseas apps:

Android:

  1. Download a VPN
  2. Buy a node
  3. Download Google Play
  4. Sign up for a Google account
  5. Download X / Instagram / Telegram and other apps

Apple:

  1. Get an overseas Apple ID
  2. Sign in to the App Store
  3. Download a VPN
  4. Download overseas apps
  5. Sign up for the matching accounts

Overseas users using Chinese apps:

Android:

  1. Download a Chinese app store (Xiaomi GetApps, Huawei AppGallery, etc.) or an APK
  2. Download WeChat / Douyin / Xiaohongshu
  3. Register with a Chinese or overseas phone number
  4. Complete real-name verification (needed for some features)
  5. Link a payment method (WeChat Pay / Alipay)

Apple:

  1. Switch to a China-region Apple ID or use a China-region account
  2. Download WeChat / Douyin / Xiaohongshu
  3. Sign up
  4. Complete face or real-name verification (needed for some features)

So people outside China using Chinese apps run into region locks, phone numbers and real-name verification too, right?