How to sign up for Baidu without your own number

Baidu is China's largest search engine. One Baidu account also opens its other services, such as Baidu Netdisk for cloud storage, Baidu Maps and the Tieba forums.

Baidu links each account to a mobile number when you register, and it may ask to confirm that number in later security checks. Many people outside China need an account only to open a file someone shared with them on Baidu Netdisk. A separate number lets them do that without handing their personal number to another service.

You don't need to live in China or own a Chinese SIM card. Have these ready:

• A kartesim account with a little balance, topped up by card or crypto.
• The Baidu app you plan to use, such as Baidu Netdisk, or the Baidu website.
• A few minutes. Some Baidu pages are only in Chinese, so a translation tool in your browser helps.

The process is short. Most of the time goes into finding the sign-up button on a Chinese-language page.

• On kartesim, choose Baidu and a country that has numbers available, then buy a number.
• Open the Baidu sign-up form and change the country code to the number's country.
• Enter the number exactly as shown, without an extra 0 at the start.
• Request the code and wait. It appears on the kartesim page as soon as the SMS arrives.
• Type the code into Baidu, set a password and finish creating the account.

Baidu chooses when to send a code. Sometimes it holds back or asks for more checks first, especially for numbers from outside China. These points cover the usual causes.

Whatever happens, you don't lose money. If no code arrives, cancel the order or let it end, and the amount goes back to your wallet automatically. Then try again, for example with a number from another country.

• Make sure you changed the country code from +86 to the number's country before typing the number.
• Complete any picture or slider check Baidu shows. The code is usually sent only after it.
• Wait a little before asking for a new code. Repeated requests can lead to a temporary pause.

The number is for this one verification. It is not rented to you long term, so don't rely on it for future codes. Right after signing up, set a strong password, add an email address if Baidu lets you, and turn on any extra protection in the account security settings.

Baidu may ask for a code again when you log in on a new device or after a long break. Stay logged in on the device you use for Baidu Netdisk. If the security settings let you change the linked phone number, switch it to one you will keep.