How to Create Meituan Account without a Phone Number

Posted on 15/11/24 12:21 pm

Ordering ready meals when you have no time to cook, booking a hotel room when traveling abroad or to another city, buying a cinema ticket with just a couple of clicks… All these and other options are available in the app made by Meituan, a company based in China. However, the only catch is that it asks for a Chinese phone number to complete verification. What can you do to bypass these restrictions? Let’s explore this in today’s reading. But first, let’s take a look at the main functionality of this Chinese service.

What is Meituan? Key Offerings & Features

Meituan is a leading platform for food delivery services and other offerings in China, launched in 2010 in Beijing. As is often the case with successful tech companies, Meituan started by offering a service that allowed users to group-order goods and services to receive shared discounts. In this regard, it was similar to the American platform Groupon. However, in 2013, the range of services expanded to include prepared food delivery.

To be more precise, food delivery remains the most demanded feature in the Meituan app. Through the interface, you can select dishes either by browsing suppliers or using the search bar. In Chinese cities, there are hundreds of suppliers available, allowing you to order the following food options:

Various fast foods, including Chinese dishes, international cuisines, dumplings, pasta, pizza, Japanese food, etc.
Ready meals such as steaks, seafood, Sichuan cuisine, etc.
A wide variety of snacks, including several types of kebabs, shrimp, and more.

As for payment options, you can choose from AliPay, WeChat Wallet, or a bank transfer. Additionally, if you pay with a digital wallet, you may be eligible for a discount. For registered users, the discount can be as much as half the order price. However, food delivery is not the only offering in the Meituan app.

What is Meituan in Terms of Other Features Beyond Food Delivery?

In 2015, Meituan merged with another Chinese giant, Dianping, which is the leading aggregator of customer reviews for eateries, cafes, restaurants, and various events. Together, they formed Meituan-Dianping. Since then, Meituan account holders have not only been able to order food but also check feedback from others to make better decisions.

Moreover, in addition to food delivery, the Meituan platform offers the following services:

Order fresh fruits, vegetables, and other groceries from stores.
Order flowers and gifts for your loved ones, making gift-shopping hassle-free.
Book a hotel room for a work trip or personal travel — and Meituan is the second-largest player in this segment in China.
Rent apartments or other types of accommodation for both short- and long-term stays.
Purchase cinema tickets, and much more.

Interestingly, during the pandemic, to optimize food delivery, Meituan began using drones and autonomous electric trucks.

What is Meituan in Terms of Registration?

The registration process in the Meituan app is pretty straightforward. After installing the app on your smartphone, you need to fill out the registration form, which includes several screens. Among other things, to complete registration, the app will require you to verify your account with a phone number. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your account. After filling out the necessary fields, you will receive a Meituan code via SMS.

If you are in China, the process is simple: add a Chinese phone number and apply the OTP (One-Time Password) to complete registration. However, if you are a tourist traveling to China and don’t have a local SIM card, you’ll need to buy one to register in the Meituan app. Alternatively, in today’s digital world, there’s a more flexible option: you can rent a temporary Chinese phone number that can receive SMS messages.

How to Register for a Meituan Account Without a Phone Number?

As mentioned, there is an alternative to registering on the Meituan app without revealing your actual phone number. Virtual phone numbers, which are designed for one-time or limited use, offer several advantages:

You don’t need to prove your identity with any documentation or proof of address.
These numbers are not tied to a physical location, allowing you to register from virtually any place on Earth. With Smspinverify, you can choose from 190+ countries.
They are suitable for platforms and apps that only require a local number, like Meituan.
They are also ideal for multi-accounting marketing strategies or customer care services.

The price is affordable, starting at just $0.16 per number (the exact price depends on the service and the rental duration).

How to Obtain a Virtual Phone Number from Smspinverify for Meituan Registration

To get a virtual phone number from Smspinverify to register for the Meituan app, follow this quick guide:

Register at smspinverify.com using your email or social media account.
Replenish your balance using a bank card, AliPay, Payeer, or cryptocurrency.
Open the “Receive SMS” tab, select the desired country code and Meituan app, then click “Buy.”
Copy the virtual number from the “History” section at the bottom of the homepage.
Use this number during the Meituan registration process.
Go back to Smspinverify and click the “Receive SMS” button to request the OTP.
Apply the code to complete the registration process.

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