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🚕 How to Use Didi

Updated September 2026 · Tap any step to expand

3D clay illustration of a traveller booking a ride-hailing car

Set up DiDi in English before your first ride, not during it.

1
Download the Didi app
▶
Your App Store
🔍 Search "DiDi China"
D
DiDi China: Ride Hailing
Developer: Didi
Illustrative image only — open your own app store and search

Open your phone's app store (App Store on iPhone, Google Play or your phone's built-in store on Android). Search for "DiDi China: Ride Hailing" and download the official app.

  • iPhone: search "DiDi China: Ride Hailing" in App Store
  • Android: search in Google Play or your phone's store
  • Verify the developer is "Didi"
Important: There are two Didi apps. "DiDi China: Ride Hailing" is for use inside China. "DiDi Rider" is the international version and does NOT work in mainland China.
Can't find it in your app store? Use the official website below.

Official website:

Didi official website
Alternative: You can also use Didi through WeChat mini-programs. Open WeChat → Discover → Mini Programs → search "Didi". This avoids downloading another app.
2
Register and add payment
▶
Payment Settings
💚 WeChat Pay
›
🔵 Alipay
›
💳 International Card
›

WeChat Pay and Alipay are recommended for reliability.

Illustrative image only — your screen may look slightly different

Sign up with your phone number. Then go to Payment Settings and add a payment method.

  • WeChat Pay (recommended if already set up)
  • Alipay
  • International credit card (Visa / Mastercard)
Recommended: If you've already set up WeChat Pay or Alipay, use that. International cards sometimes fail in Didi even when they work elsewhere.
Common problem: Foreign cards are declined at the end of the ride.
3
Enter destination and ride
▶
Where to?
Destination
Enter destination
Estimated fare¥45 - ¥55
Wait time~3 min
Distance8.5 km
Confirm Ride
Illustrative image only — your screen may look slightly different

Type your destination in English or Chinese. The app will show the estimated fare and wait time. Confirm the ride.

  • Check the car type before confirming — the app may auto-switch
  • Check the plate number before getting in
  • Pay automatically through the app after arrival
Common problem: The app auto-switches your car type at the last second.
⚠ Common issues you may encounter ▶

The 3 steps above cover the basics. But here's what actually goes wrong — and what the full guide solves:

  • Your SMS verification code never arrives
  • Your foreign card gets declined at the end of the ride
  • The app auto-switches your car type at the last second
  • The driver can't find you and keeps calling in Chinese
  • You got overcharged and don't know how to dispute it
  • You left something in the car
  • Your account gets flagged and you can't book

The full guide covers 12+ issues with step-by-step fixes.

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Browse all 12 didi cases

Each opens its own free diagnosis + first-step page:

Your SMS verification code never arrives Your foreign card is declined at the end of the ride The app auto-switches your car type at the last second The driver can't find you and keeps calling in Chinese You got overcharged or the driver took a longer route You left something in the car Your account gets flagged and you can't book The driver cancels your ride You can't add a second payment method You need a larger car for luggage or a group You need a receipt for your ride You can't communicate with the driver