Why Your App Setup Matters in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a highly digitised city. Government services, transport, food delivery, healthcare, tax filings, payments, and news are all accessible, and in many cases primarily accessed, through smartphone apps. New expat arrivals who set up the right apps in the first week save themselves significant friction over the months and years that follow.
This guide covers the essential apps across every major category of daily life in Hong Kong. It is not a marketing list, each app here solves a real, recurring need that expats encounter. Where apps are available on both iOS and Android, we note this. Where a recommended app is specific to one platform, we say so.
A note on the App Store region: If your phone is set to a home-country App Store account, you may find that some Hong Kong-specific apps (particularly government and payment apps) are not visible in your home-country store. Consider creating a Hong Kong Apple ID or Google Play account to access the full range of HK-specific apps. Most critical apps (banking, government services) are only published in the Hong Kong store.
Transport and Navigation
MTR Mobile (MTR Corporation)
The official app of the MTR Corporation, MTR Mobile provides real-time train arrival times, a journey planner, fare calculator, and service disruption alerts. The journey planner is particularly useful for calculating fares in advance and for planning multi-line journeys. The app also notifies you when specific trains are running late, a feature appreciated by commuters who time their departures precisely.
Citymapper
Citymapper covers Hong Kong’s full multi-modal transport network, MTR, buses, minibuses, trams, and ferries, in a single journey planner with real-time data. Its interface is cleaner and more intuitive for multi-step journeys than Google Maps (you’ll need a local SIM card for mobile data on the go), and it integrates turn-by-turn walking instructions for the segments between transport modes. Available on iOS and Android.
Google Maps
While Citymapper is often preferred for transit routing, Google Maps remains indispensable for searching nearby locations, reviewing restaurants and businesses, and for broader navigation. In Hong Kong, Google Maps has comprehensive transit data and works well offline with pre-downloaded maps. Note that if you travel to Mainland China, Google Maps does not work, use Baidu Maps or Apple Maps for Mainland navigation.
KMB MyBus
Real-time bus arrival information for KMB routes, including estimated times until the next bus arrives at a specific stop. Indispensable for anyone who commutes by bus in Kowloon and the New Territories. Citybus has a similar app for its routes on Hong Kong Island and cross-harbour services.
Uber / HKTaxi
Uber operates in Hong Kong using licensed taxis, with in-app payment and pickup request. HKTaxi is the Transport Department’s official taxi booking app. Both are useful for occasions when you cannot flag a passing cab, or when you prefer to have a confirmed booking before heading out.
Payments and Financial Apps
PayMe by HSBC
PayMe requires a Hong Kong bank account — see our guide to opening a bank account if you haven’t set one up yet.
PayMe is Hong Kong’s most widely used peer-to-peer payment app and is essential for daily life. You can send money to anyone with a PayMe account using their phone number, split bills at restaurants, pay at PayMe-enabled merchants, and request payment. Setting up PayMe requires a Hong Kong phone number and a Hong Kong bank account or credit card. The app is free and the service is free for transfers between individuals.
AlipayHK
AlipayHK is the Hong Kong version of Alipay, distinct from Mainland Alipay in its governance and regulation, though the two can be linked for cross-border spending. AlipayHK is accepted at a wide range of local merchants, particularly street-level retail, wet markets, food courts, and convenience stores. It also enables peer-to-peer transfers between Hong Kong users.
Octopus App
For a complete guide to the Octopus Card and Hong Kong’s transport network, see our Octopus Card and public transport guide.
The Octopus App allows you to manage your physical Octopus card (check balance, auto top-up settings) and set up a Mobile Octopus on supported devices. If your phone supports NFC and the Octopus virtual card, you can use your phone directly at MTR gates and Octopus payment terminals, a convenient alternative to carrying a physical card.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
For international money transfers, Wise offers near-mid-market exchange rates and significantly lower fees than traditional bank wire transfers. If you regularly send money back to your home country, Wise is typically the most cost-effective option. The Wise account also provides a multi-currency wallet and a physical/virtual debit card that can be useful for international travel.
Your Bank’s App
All major Hong Kong banks, HSBC, Hang Seng, Standard Chartered, Bank of China, DBS, have solid mobile banking apps that enable instant transfers (including FPS transfers using phone number), bill payments, statements, and account management. Set up FPS registration (link your phone number or email to your account) through the app immediately, this enables anyone to send you money via phone number without needing your account number.
Food Delivery
Foodpanda
Foodpanda is the dominant food delivery platform in Hong Kong by restaurant coverage. With thousands of restaurants listed across the territory, it covers everything from McDonald’s to Michelin-starred fine dining. The app also includes Pandamart, a dark-store grocery and convenience delivery service for when you need provisions without leaving home.
Deliveroo
Deliveroo has strong coverage in the urban centres of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, with a curated selection of mid-to-premium restaurants. Its interface is clean and it tends to have reliable delivery time estimates. Deliveroo is generally preferred by those looking for better restaurant quality and faster delivery in the core urban areas.
OpenRice
OpenRice is Hong Kong’s primary restaurant discovery and review platform, the local equivalent of Yelp or Google Reviews for dining. It is not a delivery app but an invaluable research tool: search by cuisine, district, price range, or dining occasion, and read verified reviews from Hong Kong diners. Many restaurants on OpenRice are small local establishments not listed on international platforms. Setting up an OpenRice account allows you to track restaurants you want to try and make reservations at venues that support in-app booking.
Government and Official Services
iAM Smart
iAM Smart requires a valid Hong Kong Identity Card — see our HKID registration guide if you haven’t registered yet.
iAM Smart is the Hong Kong government’s digital identity platform. Once registered (using your HKID at an iAM Smart registration kiosk), it allows you to log in to government online services using your mobile phone as a digital identity key, without needing separate logins and passwords for every government portal. Services accessible via iAM Smart include eTax (tax filing), health record access, transport licence management, and many others. iAM Smart registration requires attending an in-person kiosk with your HKID; kiosks are located in post offices and government offices across Hong Kong.
eTax (Inland Revenue Department)
The eTax app allows you to file your Salaries Tax return, check your tax account status, make payments, and update your address with the Inland Revenue Department. Tax returns are issued annually (typically around May) and must be filed within the specified window. Setting up eTax access early means you will not be scrambling at the last minute during your first tax filing season in Hong Kong.
HA Go (Hospital Authority)
HA Go is part of the public healthcare system — for a full overview of healthcare options for expats, see our healthcare guide.
HA Go is the Hospital Authority’s mobile app for patients of Hong Kong’s public hospital network. It allows you to book outpatient appointments at public clinics, check your appointment schedule, access digital health records, and receive medication reminders. For expats who use the public healthcare system (particularly for specialist referrals), HA Go is essential. Even expats primarily using private healthcare may interact with the public system for certain services.
GovHK
The GovHK app provides access to a wide range of government e-services from a single interface, licence applications, form downloads, news alerts, and links to departmental portals. It functions more as a portal aggregator than a service app itself, but is a convenient starting point for finding the right government service.
Shopping
HKTVmall
HKTVmall is Hong Kong’s largest online marketplace, covering groceries, electronics, household goods, beauty, fashion, and more. It offers same-day or next-day delivery to most Hong Kong addresses and in some areas delivers within a two-hour window. For expats setting up a new home, HKTVmall is particularly useful for ordering large grocery shops, bulky household items, and pantry staples without the need to carry everything by hand on the MTR.
Carousell
Carousell Hong Kong is the primary second-hand marketplace for consumer goods, furniture, electronics, clothing, toys, and sporting equipment. For expats furnishing a new flat, buying second-hand through Carousell can be significantly cheaper than purchasing new. Many listings come from other expats who are leaving Hong Kong and selling their belongings. The app is simple and meets buyers and sellers via in-app messaging for price negotiation and pickup arrangements.
News and Information
South China Morning Post (SCMP)
The South China Morning Post is Hong Kong’s leading English-language newspaper, providing local, regional, and international news from a Hong Kong perspective. The app provides full article access (some content is paywalled for non-subscribers), push notifications for breaking news, and the SCMP Podcasts. For staying informed on Hong Kong and Greater China developments, SCMP is the primary source for English-language readers.
RTHK (Radio Television Hong Kong)
RTHK is Hong Kong’s public broadcaster. The RTHK app provides live radio streaming (including English-language Radio 3, which covers local news and current affairs) and on-demand programmes. Radio 3 is a practical source of local news, weather, and traffic information during commutes.
Community and Social
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging platform in Hong Kong for both personal and professional communication. Most Hong Kong residents, businesses, and service providers use WhatsApp for day-to-day communication, it is the expected channel for everything from scheduling plumber appointments to staying in touch with your child’s school parent group. Having WhatsApp set up with your Hong Kong number on arrival is essentially mandatory.
Facebook Groups: Expats in Hong Kong
Facebook Groups remain active and useful in Hong Kong’s expat community despite the general decline of Facebook in some markets. Key groups such as “Expats in Hong Kong”, “Hong Kong Housing and Rentals”, and various district-specific and nationality-specific groups are active forums for advice, recommendations, second-hand sales, and community questions. Joining the relevant groups early provides a useful network of people who have navigated the same arrival challenges you are facing.
Telegram
Telegram is used by a significant segment of Hong Kong’s expat and local community for group chats and channels. Many expat community groups, local news channels, and property agents operate Telegram channels. It is worth having Telegram installed alongside WhatsApp.
Health and Wellness
Planto (Personal Finance)
Planto is a Hong Kong-developed personal finance app that links to your Hong Kong bank accounts and credit cards, automatically categorises your transactions, and provides spending reports. For expats managing their finances in a new city, often with a higher cost of living than their previous home, having visibility into spending patterns from day one is valuable. Planto is well-regarded for its support of Hong Kong-specific financial institutions.
Doctor Anywhere / Pockyt Health
Several telehealth platforms operate in Hong Kong, allowing video consultations with licensed Hong Kong doctors for minor ailments, prescription renewals, and medical certificates. Doctor Anywhere and related services are useful for short waits and non-urgent issues, particularly when you are new to the city and have not yet established a relationship with a regular GP.
Your First-Week App Checklist
Based on the categories above, here is a practical sequenced checklist of apps to set up during your first week in Hong Kong:
| Priority | App | Why it matters immediately |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Everything runs on WhatsApp; update your number immediately | |
| Day 1 | Google Maps / Citymapper | Navigation from the moment you leave the airport |
| Day 1-2 | Octopus App | Manage your transport card and set up auto top-up |
| Day 2-3 | Your bank’s app | Mobile banking and FPS registration |
| Day 2-3 | PayMe | Peer-to-peer payments and merchant QR codes |
| Day 3-5 | Foodpanda or Deliveroo | Food delivery while you are still finding your feet |
| Day 3-7 | SCMP | Stay informed on local news and events |
| Week 2+ | iAM Smart | After your HKID arrives; unlock government digital services |
| Week 2+ | HA Go | Set up public healthcare access |
| Week 2+ | HKTVmall | Online grocery and household shopping |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPN in Hong Kong?
No. Unlike Mainland China, Hong Kong’s internet is unrestricted. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and all other commonly blocked platforms work freely in Hong Kong without a VPN. A VPN may be useful if you travel to Mainland China frequently and want to maintain access to your usual services while there.
Are WeChat and Alipay (Mainland versions) useful in Hong Kong?
WeChat (the international/Hong Kong version) works in Hong Kong and is used by some residents, but WhatsApp is far more dominant for messaging. AlipayHK is the relevant version for Hong Kong payments, the Mainland Alipay app has different functionality and regulatory scope. If you have Mainland contacts or make frequent trips to China, having the Mainland WeChat Pay set up is useful for spending in Mainland stores.
What language are most apps in?
Most major apps in Hong Kong offer English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options. The default is typically Traditional Chinese (the script used in Hong Kong and Taiwan, distinct from Simplified Chinese used in Mainland China). Select English in the app settings if you prefer.
Official and Useful Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| iAM Smart, Digital Identity | iamsmart.gov.hk |
| eTax, Inland Revenue Department | ird.gov.hk |
| HA Go, Hospital Authority | ha.org.hk |
| PayMe by HSBC | payme.hsbc.com.hk |
| Octopus App | octopus.com.hk |
