The 5 Most Popular Apps in China Must-Have Apps for Daily Life in China

How Lifestyle Apps Are Changing Everyday Life in China

In China life moves fast with an economy and an ever-growing population people are always looking for ways to save time this is where lifestyle apps come in from ordering food to a cab paying bills or even scheduling doctor’s appointments mobile apps have become a part of daily life.

In this article we look at some of the most commonly used apps in China.

WeChat – China’s must have super App

It’s no secret that people in China can’t live without WeChat, the country’s most popular communication and lifestyle app more than just a messaging app. WeChat offers essential features like free voice and video calls instant messaging and social networking.

Beyond communication WeChat has evolved into a powerful all-in-one platform. Users can send money, pay bills, book tickets, order food and even top up their mobile phones – all without leaving the app. Businesses and individuals alike rely on WeChat Pay for cashless transactions, making it a key part of daily life in China.

Another standout feature is WeChat Moments, a built in social feed where users share photos, videos, and updates with friends. With continuous updates and new functions WeChat remains the most used app in China offering convenience and efficiency in every aspect of modern life.

DiDi Chuxing – China’s Leading Ride-Hailing App

Didi Chuxing is often called the Chinese version of Uber, but it has become much more than just a ride hailing app in China. Before DiDi’s launch hailing a taxi in China especially during rush hours in big cities was challenging due to high demand and limited availability even unoccupied taxis would sometimes pass by passengers without stopping. DiDi solves these issues by offering a seamless app-based taxi and ride-hailing service with just a few taps users can book a ride in minutes.

The app automatically detects the current location and riders simply enter their destination address to request a car. Once a driver is assigned, the app provides real-time ride details including the driver’s information estimated arrival time and fare estimate. Whether you’re commuting to work or heading out for the night, DiDi Chuxing remains the go to transportation app in China making travel more convenient efficient and reliable.

Ele.me – China’s Top Food Delivery App

Ordering food via mobile apps in China has become the norm and one of the most popular choices is Ele.me (饿了么 è le me) which literally means “Hungry?”. This leading food delivery app in China allows millions of users to order meals quickly and conveniently every day.

With Ele.me you can enjoy restaurant quality food delivered straight to your door. Saving time and effort for foreigners in China using the app is much easier than ordering over the phone eliminating language barriers when requesting meals.

Whether you’re craving authentic Chinese cuisine like Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) or prefer Western food option, Ele.me provides access to a wide variety of restaurants simply browse select your favorite dishes and get your meal delivered in no time!

You can check out our quide to using this app here.

Meituan – China’s All-in-One Lifestyle App

Meituan (美团) is a powerful all-in-one app in China that covers everything from food delivery to travel bookings. As one of the most widely used multipurpose apps in China, Meituan allows users to order food book hotels purchase movie tickets and secure train or plane tickets all at competitive prices.

One of Meituan’s standout features is its exclusive discounts and coupons, which help users save money on their next purchase. Whether you’re planning a trip ordering takeout or looking for entertainment, Meituan makes daily life in China more convenient and affordable.

Taobao – China’s Largest Online Shopping Application

If you love online shopping in China then Taobao is a must-have app. As China’s largest e-commerce platform, Taobao offers an enormous selection of products from books and clothing to household appliances and food.

With the Taobao app you can browse thousands of products on the go place orders effortlessly and enjoy fast home delivery often within just a few days. Whether you’re looking for the latest fashion trends, unique gadgets or rare items no longer available in physical stores Taobao has it all!

For anyone living in or shopping from China, Taobao remains the go to platform for affordable and convenient online shopping.

Why Are Chinese People So Dependent on Apps?

One of the biggest reasons is the belief that time is money. With long working hours and busy schedules Chinese people value any tool that helps them their day. Lifestyle application the need to wait in lines make phone calls or carry cash everything can be done with just a few taps on a smartphone.

Popular Lifestyle Apps in China

1. WeChat (微信) – The All-in-One App
Imagine an application that come WhatsApp Facebook PayPal and Zoom all in one? That’s WeChat! It’s not just a messaging app – people use it to pay for groceries, book flights, transfer money and even apply for visas. With its mini-programs, users don’t even need to download application for different services they can access them directly from WeChat.

2. Alipay (支付宝) – Cashless Convenience
Alipay is another major payment app that has made cash almost in China. Whether you’re paying at a street food stall a five-star hotel or even donating to a beggar scanning a QR code with Alipay makes transactions.

3. Meituan (美团) – The King of Delivery
Too tired to cook? Meituan delivers meals, groceries and even household within minutes. It’s like Uber Eats Instacart and TaskRabbit combined. Many Chinese workers reply on it for daily meals because it saves time and often offers discounts.

4. Didi (滴滴) – China’s Uber
Hailing a cab used to be difficult, but now with Didi you can book a ride within seconds. Whether it’s a budget friendly, or a luxury ride, Didi has made transportation easier for millions of people.

5. Xiaohongshu (小红书) – Social Shopping
Xiaohongshu, or “Little Red Book” is a social media platform where users share shopping experiences and product reviews. It’s popular among young people who rely on recommendations before making a purchase.

How These Apps Are Changing Daily Life

✅ No More Wallets: Forget cash or credit cards everything is paid for via mobile apps.

✅ No Need to Call: Whether it’s booking a taxi making a restaurant reservation or hiring a cleaner everything can be done online.

✅ Personalized Services: Many apps use AI to recommend products restaurants, even travel destinations based on user preferences.

Do you agree with this list? Got something to add?

Let us know what apps you use in China – by reaching out to us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!