eSender Latest regulations in 2026: Free 7-day trial period for Chinese mobile phone numbers cancelled; passport-based real-name registration reinstated; subscriptions now only valid for six months or less.

2026 eSender ChinaMajor changes to mobile phone number regulations: Passport-based real-name registration fully reinstated, free 7-day trials completely eliminated, and new plans now require a minimum subscription period of 180 days. These new regulations, implemented amidst resource constraints, directly impact overseas users and cross-border e-commerce.E-commerceAccount binding and long-term operation. Learn more now to avoid missing out on key number resources due to policy changes.

In the past, people were used to easily applying for a mainland China mobile phone number, and could even enjoy a free 7-day trial. Now, that era has completely ended.

according to eSender eSender An official internal group announcement directly revealed three key changes: passport real-name registration has been reinstated, free trials are canceled, and subscription packages now require a minimum stay of 180 days. What do these changes mean? Let's break them down.

The return of passport real-name registration

Passport registration with real names is not unfamiliar in mainland China's mobile phone number policy.

Real-name registration had already become an industry standard several years ago. However, due to policy constraints and resource limitations, eSender eSender The real-name registration of Chinese mobile phone numbers and passports was temporarily suspended..now, eSender The announcement states that passport-based real-name registration will be reinstated in January 2026, meaning that overseas users will once again be able to legally register Chinese mobile phone numbers using their passports.

This step not only complies with regulatory requirements but also makes the use of phone numbers more transparent and secure. According to public documents from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), real-name registration is an important measure to prevent telecommunications fraud and information security risks (Source: MIIT's "Regulations on the Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunications and Internet Users").

The free 7-day trial has been completely cancelled.

In the past, many people liked to apply for a free 7-day mobile phone number first to test whether it could meet their needs.

However, this model has the problem that a large number of numbers are left idle or even maliciously registered, resulting in a waste of resources. eSender The internal group clearly stated that mobile phone number resources in mainland China remain scarce and must be avoided from being wasted.

Canceling the free trial directly eliminates the possibility of "profiting from freebies." For users, while they lose the opportunity for a short-term trial, it also means that the number will be more stable and sustainable.

according to eSender According to official data, over 40% of phone numbers were abandoned after their trial period expired, which is the core reason for the policy adjustment. (Source: eSender Internal group notification).

180-day minimum subscription: The era of long-term users

The most impactful aspect of the new policy is that the minimum order period for a package is 180 days.

This means that users must subscribe for at least six months at a time. For those with temporary needs, this undoubtedly raises the bar; but for long-term users, it provides a guarantee.

Subscribing for six months or more not only guarantees number continuity but also reduces the hassle of frequent changes. More importantly, this model concentrates number resources in the hands of users who genuinely need them.

For example, if you are a cross-border e-commerce seller and need a stable Chinese mobile phone number to link to a payment platform or social media account, then a 180-day plan can well meet your long-term operational needs.

The logic behind the policy

why eSender Is this kind of adjustment necessary?

First, resources are scarce. The allocation of mobile phone numbers in mainland China is strictly controlled by operators and regulatory authorities, and virtual operators have limited number pools.

Second, compliance pressure. Real-name registration and long-term subscriptions can effectively reduce gray-area uses and comply with regulatory requirements.

Third, user screening. Short-term trials are cancelled to filter out unstable users and reserve resources for those who truly need them.

This logic is similar to that in the real estate market: when housing is scarce, developers will increase the down payment ratio to ensure that buyers are people who truly have the ability to pay and have long-term needs.

Impact on users

For ordinary users, these changes have several direct impacts:

• Increased costsThere will be no more free trials; the minimum order is six months, meaning a higher upfront investment.
• Raising the thresholdThose with temporary needs may turn to other solutions, such as overseas virtual phone numbers.
• Stability improvementLong-term packages guarantee the continuity of phone numbers and reduce the risk of frequent changes.

For enterprise users, this is actually beneficial. Long-term plans make business connections more stable and reduce the risk of account loss due to expired phone numbers.

Signals of industry trends

eSender The adjustment is not an isolated event.

In recent years, the global virtual phone number market has been tightening. The US and Europe have gradually strengthened real-name registration for virtual phone numbers, even requiring them to be linked to a real address. The changes in the Chinese market are simply an extension of this trend.

This shows that virtual numbers are no longer readily available tools, but are gradually becoming more compliant and long-term.

According to a GSMA report, the global virtual number market is projected to grow by more than 18% in 2025, but compliance requirements are also increasing (Source: GSMA, Global Mobile Trends 2025).

Possible future trends

eSender This policy adjustment may only be the first step. In the future, we may see:

• Stricter real-name verification, such as facial recognition.
• Longer order periods, even one year minimum order.
• A higher price threshold is used to further filter users.

This is an inevitable trend for the industry, but users need to plan ahead.

Conclusion: My Viewpoint

Mobile phone numbers are no longer readily available tools, but are gradually becoming a scarce resource.

eSender The adjustments, while seemingly raising the bar, are actually an inevitable choice for the industry to mature. Real-name registration enhances security, and long-term plans strengthen stability; these are requirements of both compliance and the market.

In this era of change, true wisdom lies not in complaining about barriers, but in learning to utilize the rules. As the saying goes, "The constraints of institutions are often the guarantee of order."

Therefore, if you really need a mainland China mobile number, you might as well treat it as a long-term investment rather than a short-term trial.

With limited resources, compliance is paramount, and stability is the core competitive advantage for the future.

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