Key facts
- Chinese car apps deliver the verification code only to +86 numbers — SMS is never sent to numbers from other countries.
- No Chinese passport required: the number is issued against your international passport, name and surname in Latin letters.
- Issuance takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours after the issuance procedure starts.
- The number works as an eSIM: a separate profile, your main SIM keeps working. No QR code needed — SMS arrive in an app on the phone.
- The number does not work for WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram or Facebook — Chinese numbers are not accepted there.
Short answer: yes, you do. All Chinese auto manufacturers use Chinese +86 numbers to send SMS verification codes. This is required for:
- Initial app registration
- Password recovery
- Adding a second driver
- Activating subscriptions and services
Brands including Li Auto (Lixiang), Zeekr, BYD, Chery, Geely, Nio, XPeng, Voyah, Avatr, Great Wall (Haval/Tank/ORA) will not send SMS to international numbers.