Quick Answer
Install and activate both.
At the counter, let the setup decide:
- Scanner aimed at you? → Show Pay code (either wallet).
- Printed QR on the counter? → Scan it (either wallet). If one wallet fails once, switch immediately. If both fail, use cash.
Do not debate in line.
The Core Reality (Why This Is Not a Feature Comparison)
Alipay and WeChat Pay overlap heavily.
What actually determines success is:
- Merchant routing
- Terminal configuration
- Card acceptance at that merchant
- Your account state at that moment
There is no universally “better” wallet.
Where Each Wallet Tends to Win
WeChat Pay Tends to Work Better At
- Small local restaurants
- Street vendors
- Personal QR collections
- Informal shops
If you hear “WeChat only,” believe it.
Alipay Tends to Work Better At
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Transport (metro/bus)
- Tourist attractions
- Chain businesses
If a terminal looks formal, Alipay often succeeds first.
Exact Actions: A Simple Counter Decision Tree
Step 1: Read the counter setup
- Scanner present → open Pay
- Printed QR → open Scan
Ignore wallet preference at this stage.
Step 2: Choose the wallet
- If signs show a wallet logo, start there.
- If unclear:
- Start with Alipay at formal counters.
- Start with WeChat Pay at informal stalls.
Step 3: If nothing happens in ~3 seconds
- Cancel immediately.
- Switch flow (Scan ↔ Pay) or wallet.
- Try once more only.
Repeated retries cause double charges.
Step 4: If the second attempt fails
- Stop.
- Pay cash.
- Fix wallet issues later.
Speed and calm matter more than persistence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sticking to one wallet out of habit
- Retrying the same flow repeatedly
- Troubleshooting in front of a queue
- Arguing about which wallet “should” work
Flexibility wins.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- “Transaction not allowed”: switch wallet or card.
- Cashier says “failed” but app shows success: check Bills and show receipt.
- Scan opens transfer page: wrong QR—cancel.
- QR won’t scan: increase brightness or switch flow.
- Merchant insists on one wallet: use it or pay cash.
Know when to move on.
Reality Check
- Locals carry both wallets.
- Locals switch instantly.
- Locals keep small cash.
- No one expects perfection.
Your goal is to complete the payment, not to prove a point.
What Locals Do Instead
- Read the terminal first.
- Try once, then switch.
- Step aside if needed.
- Finish the transaction quickly.
Copy the behavior.
Checklist
- Both wallets installed and activated.
- Know Scan vs Pay.
- Switch after one failure.
- Check Bills before retrying.
- Cash available as backup.