Recently, while registering for overseas products, I discovered an unavoidable problem:
Many services now have very obvious restrictions on +86 mobile numbers during the verification stage.
ChatGPT, Claude, Telegram, and X all encounter various levels of blocking. It's frustrating. These restrictions are increasing, and it feels like +86 numbers have been "marked."
That was until I discovered this lifesaver—Hong Kong Club Sim.
1. Why a Hong Kong number? Why not another country?
Let me tell you, a Hong Kong number is perfect. First, it's not +86, so registration for foreign services is seamless. Second, it's a Chinese-language environment, unlike US or UK numbers that feel more distant. Most importantly—it is incredibly cheap!
With the Club Sim card, maintaining the number costs only 6 HKD per year. You read that right, 6 HKD! At current exchange rates, that's about 5 RMB. Compare that to mainland China SIMs, where the cheapest maintenance plans from Mobile, Unicom, or Telecom cost at least 8 RMB per month, or 96 RMB a year. And those cheap plans are often hard to find.
Club Sim costs 5 RMB a year—the value is unbeatable! Plus, receiving SMS globally is free, so you can get verification codes anywhere.
1. Is it reliable? Will they disappear? 🤣
When something is this cheap, people's first reaction is: Is this a small company that will disappear in two days?
I was worried too, so I researched the background. It turns out there's nothing to worry about—Club Sim's parent company is CSL, a famous mobile operator in Hong Kong. CSL is backed by HKT (Hong Kong Telecommunications), the largest telecom group in Hong Kong!
You are enjoying legitimate, first-tier network services, not some fly-by-night operation. With such a major corporate background, the risk of them disappearing is basically zero.
2. Read this before opening!
To be honest, not everyone can get this card. Hong Kong law requires real-name registration for all mobile numbers.
Here is the key point: It does not support Mainland China ID cards!
You can only use these two types of identification for authentication:
- ✅ Passport
- ✅ Hong Kong and Macau Exit-Entry Permit
If you don't have either of these, you really can't do it... so check your drawers for your documents before deciding to get one.
On the bright side, real-name registration filters out most malicious accounts, making the number more legitimate and reliable. If we use it legally, there's no need to be anxious.
3. Physical SIM or eSIM? Here is my recommendation
Club Sim has two versions:
Physical SIM: Available at 7-11 stores in Hong Kong for 58 HKD, including 20GB of local data and unlimited local calls for one month. But if you are in the mainland, you need a Hong Kong forwarding address or to buy it on e-commerce platforms (where prices are significantly marked up).
eSIM: I strongly recommend this! You can buy it directly on the official website and activate it online instantly without waiting for delivery.
I personally chose the eSIM version for convenience.
"But my phone doesn't support eSIM!"
Don't panic! I know most mainland phones don't support eSIM. But there is a tool called XeSIM, which is essentially a rewritable physical SIM card that can store multiple eSIM profiles, allowing non-eSIM phones to use them.
Regarding XeSIM usage, you can check my previous tweet:
https://x.com/AI_Jasonyu/status/1987128884270408055?s=20
Overseas mobile number eSIM tutorial
I highly recommend getting one of these; it opens up a whole new world. With it, you can use various eSIMs, not just Club Sim.
The initial "Entry Ticket"
There is a small threshold: Your first purchase must be a package of at least 50 HKD. Think of it as an entry ticket.
But don't worry! This 50 HKD isn't wasted. I'll show you how to choose the most cost-effective option.
The standard choice is the 58 HKD local data and voice service, which includes one month of HK data and unlimited calls. This is the same as the package you buy at a 7-11.
BUT! If you aren't going to Hong Kong soon, this package is a total waste.
So here is a smarter combination:
38 HKD Mainland & Macau Roaming Data (1GB, valid for 90 days) + 15 HKD 24-hour single-day data pack (Select China region) = 53 HKD Total
Why is this combo great? The data can be used in the mainland for roaming access! It's not wasted! Although it's only 1GB, it's much more practical than the 58 HKD Hong Kong local package.
2. Specific Application Steps
Alright, let's get started!
1. Register an Account
First, open the Club Sim official website: clubsim.com.hk (You can also download their app, but I find the website easier for demonstration).
Click "Login" in the top right → "Register," and fill in your first and last name. This isn't the real-name step, so you can fill in anything, like Jason Yu. Or just log in with a Google account.
Enter your email twice, set a password, and click register.
📷 After registering, it will prompt you for real-name registration. Ignore it for now; it's easier to do in the app later.
2. Purchase eSIM
📷 Click "Buy New Club Sim" and select the eSIM version. The device model doesn't matter.
Then come to the service selection page. Remember the 53 HKD combo I mentioned? Select:
- 38 HKD Mainland & Macau Roaming Data
- 15 HKD 24-hour data pack (Select China)
📷 This adds up to exactly 53 HKD, meeting the card opening requirement. It's cheaper than 58 HKD, and the data works in the mainland!
3. Payment
Verify your email and enter the code you receive. Fill in any contact phone number.
📷 There are many payment methods; mainland users can choose Alipay or WeChat Pay. I usually choose WeChat; scan and pay, very convenient.
I used WeChat Pay HK here, combined with the HK wallet I mentioned before. You can use the balance in your HK wallet directly.
📷 Important! The two QR codes in the email
After a successful payment, you will receive an email. Pay attention here:
The email contains two QR codes:
- 🔵 First code: Used to download the eSIM to your phone.
- 🔵 Second code: Used to bind the eSIM in the app.
You will need both, so don't mix them up! Save the email first.
4. Download eSIM to Phone
You need to use XeSIM here since mainland iPhones/Androids don't support eSIM:
You can find the XeSIM tutorial here:
https://x.com/AI_Jasonyu/status/1986630154949697931?s=20
For Android, open the XeSIM app, click the plus sign → scan, and scan the first QR code from the email. It downloads quickly. Save it and toggle it on.
If you use an iPhone, follow the official XeSIM instructions or my previous tutorial.
📷 Note: It takes a moment to find a signal after downloading. Don't worry. You'll get a signal soon and receive an SMS from Club Sim stating you must complete real-name registration to use it.
5. Real-Name Authentication: The Most Critical Step!
Download the Club Sim app (Google Play, App Store, or APK from the website).
Log in with the email you just registered (don't click "Continue with The Club," just use the email login).
You'll see a clear "Real-name Registration" notice. Click it → "Register Now."
Allow camera permissions.
Select Identity Document
Mainland IDs are not supported! If you have a passport, choose the second option. For the HK/Macau Permit, choose the third option, "Other Travel Documents."
Check the circle below and click next. Start photographing the front of your document.
⚠️ Key Point! Don't fall into this trap!
After photographing, it will automatically recognize your info. Here is the huge pitfall:
If the recognition is wrong, DO NOT manually edit it! Go back and retake the photo!
Why? Because manual edits trigger manual review, which can take a long time. Let it recognize it automatically and correctly before submitting! It's okay to retake it several times.
Once the info is correct, enter your email again, agree to terms, and submit. Your account is now registered.
— PS: My passport number was misidentified and I couldn't get it right, so I left it, and it didn't seem to affect anything.
6. Binding the App and eSIM
Not done yet! You need to bind the app to the eSIM.
Go back to the app home page, click the camera button 📷 in the top right, and scan the second QR code from the email.
Click "Register Now," enter your ID number, agree to terms, and submit.
Soon you'll get SMS notifications: the first says registration is complete, the second tells you your mobile number.
You can also see the number in the app under "My Club Sim." You now officially have a Hong Kong mobile number! 🎉
7. Maintenance: Only 6 HKD per year
This card has no monthly fee. However, according to official terms, if no service pack is purchased within 365 days, it will be deactivated.
So, we need to buy one service per year.
The cheapest way to keep the number: Buy the 6 HKD SMS package once a year.
The package itself isn't very useful (valid for 30 days), but spending 6 HKD once a year on the website or app extends the life of the SIM for another year.
Set a calendar reminder! Don't forget, or you'll lose the number.
Cost Summary: It's a Steal
Let's do the math:
Initial Opening: 53 HKD (~45 RMB)
- Includes 1GB mainland data
- Not a waste
Annual Maintenance: 6 HKD (~5 RMB)
Compared to Mainland SIMs:
- Mobile minimum 8 RMB/month = 96 RMB/year
- Club Sim is only 5 RMB/year
The value is insane! Think of how much you save.
If you are one of these people, I highly recommend getting one:
✅ Need to register foreign accounts (ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, etc.)
✅ Doing cross-border e-commerce or overseas business
✅ Digital nomads or remote workers
✅ Need to receive overseas verification codes frequently
✅ Want a backup overseas number
Basically, if you need to access the global internet, this card is worth having.
Final reminder: Get on board now!
The eSIM purchase channel was suspended for a while and only recently reopened. I don't know when it might close again...
So if you need this, don't hesitate. Get it while you still can!
Honestly, having a Hong Kong number makes registering for foreign services so much easier. That sense of freedom is great.
Do you have a Hong Kong number yet?
