China Front Desk Accessing Power Banks
6 min readUpdated October 1, 2026For business travellers
A dead phone in China is a real problem, because your payments, maps, translation and WeChat all live on it. Rental power banks are sold from stations in malls, restaurants, stations and hotels, so you rarely need to carry your own. This guide explains how the rentals work for a foreign visitor.
At a glance
| App | Chinese only | Needs a Chinese phone number |
|---|---|---|
Jiedian (Energy Monster) | Yes | No |
| Rented through a mini-program opened by scanning the station QR in Alipay or WeChat. Chinese text. Foreign wallets can work, but may be blocked by deposit or credit checks. | ||
Xiaodian | Yes | No |
| Same approach: scan the station code. Chinese screen, and the rental can ask for authorisation of a deposit on your wallet. | ||
 Meituan power bank | Yes | Yes |
| Often opens inside the Meituan app, which expects a Chinese number. Harder for visitors. | ||
Laidian | Yes | No |
| Scan-to-rent through Alipay or WeChat mini-programs. Chinese text only. | ||
A check means yes. Green means easier for visitors. Requirements change, so check the app before you rely on it.
Steps to set up
- 1
Set up Alipay with a foreign card
Rentals are paid through your wallet. Install Alipay and link a card before you travel. See the essential apps guide.
- 2
Find a station
Look for a rack of batteries with a screen and a QR code, often at a restaurant counter, a shopping mall, a train station or an airport. Station staff are not usually involved.
- 3
Scan the QR code
Open the Alipay scanner (or WeChat) and scan the station code. A mini-program opens and asks you to confirm the rental.
- 4
Translate and confirm the terms
Use camera translation to read the screen. Note the price per hour, the daily cap and any deposit or authorisation. Confirm only if you are comfortable with it.
- 5
Take the battery
The station releases one battery. The built-in cable usually fits several types, and some stations have a few cable options. Check the one attached suits your phone.
- 6
Return it to any station of the same brand
Push the battery into an empty slot until it clicks. Check the app shows the rental as ended and that the charge matches your use.
- 7
If it will not rent, send us the QR code
Send a photo of the station QR to China Front Desk and we can rent it remotely. Then you can collect the battery from the station.
How rental power banks work
A rental station holds a stack of charged batteries. You scan its QR code, accept the terms, and it ejects one. Many batteries have built-in cables for common phone types. You use it while you are out, and return it to any station in the same network.
The brands compete in the same places. Which brand is in a given restaurant depends on the venue. If the venue's brand does not work with your account, look for another station nearby.
Costs and deposits
Rentals are typically charged per hour, with a daily maximum, and a fee if you do not return the battery within a set number of days. Prices differ by brand and by venue (airports and stations are often dearer), so check the current price in the app before confirming.
Many rentals avoid a cash deposit by holding an authorisation on your wallet or by using a credit check. Foreign accounts may be asked for a deposit instead. Read the deposit amount and the refund terms on screen.
Tips for long factory days
- Charge your phone fully before leaving the hotel. Navigation, translation and photos drain the battery fast.
- Carry your own small power bank and cable as the main plan. A rental is the backup.
- Factory floors and meeting rooms rarely have visitor sockets. Ask your host where to charge.
- If you are touring several sites in one day, rent at the first stop and return at the last one.
- Check the cable end matches your phone before leaving the station.
Your phone matters for rides and for paying for food. A low battery at a factory gate can strand you.
Flying, security and factories
Airlines restrict lithium batteries, and rental batteries are not for travelling with. Return rentals before your flight. Some factories do not allow phones or power banks in certain areas, so ask your host.
For your own power bank, check your airline's rules and carry it in your hand luggage. Chinese airports have their own rules on battery capacity and labelling, so check the current policy before you pack.
When the rental will not work
If scanning shows a Chinese-only screen that rejects your account, try another brand's station, or another wallet. If it still fails, send China Front Desk a photo of the QR code on the station and your location. We rent the battery for you and you take it from the station. We are not affiliated with any power bank company.
Add it to your toolkit alongside shared bikes and the other essentials for Shenzhen and Dongguan.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners rent power banks in China?
Often yes, through Alipay or WeChat. Some foreign accounts face deposit or credit checks, in which case try another brand or send us the QR code.
Can I return it at a different station?
Usually, as long as it is the same brand. Check the terms in the mini-program.
How much does it cost?
Typically a few yuan an hour with a daily cap, but prices vary by brand and place. Check the current price in the app.
What if I lose the battery?
You are charged a purchase fee. Keep it with you and return it before you leave the city.
Can I take a rental on a plane?
No. Return it first. Airline and airport rules on batteries are strict.
China Front Desk
Let China Front Desk handle it
Message an agent and we order on the Chinese apps for you: food, drinks, groceries, rides, shared bikes, power banks, items and more. No Chinese, no Chinese phone number and no Chinese bank card needed. From $7 a day.
- Rent a power bank remotely when you send a photo of the station QR code
- Tell you which brand is likely to work at your venue
- Explain the price and deposit screen in English before you confirm
- Help you return it if the app does not show the rental as ended
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Details such as prices, opening hours, app requirements and local rules change often. Treat this guide as a starting point and confirm anything important before you travel.