What to Do if Your Taobao Account Gets Frozen? | Taobao Real-Name Authentication Guide

Hey, international buyers! When shopping on Taobao, China’s largest online shopping platform, you might run into issues like your account getting banned or frozen. So, how can you ensure a smooth shopping experience on Taobao.

Benefits of Taobao/Alipay Real-Name Verification

The key is to complete both Alipay real-name authentication and Taobao real-name authentication.

Without proper verification, your account could be flagged or even frozen—especially if you log in from a new device. Stay ahead by verifying your account to avoid any disruptions.

• Seamless shopping on Taobao with fewer restrictions.
• Lower risk of account suspension.
• Access to 1688 and Xianyu without verification issues.

How to Verify Your Taobao & Alipay Account

Taobao Real-Name Authentication

If you're unsure where to find the passport verification section on Taobao and don’t read Chinese, navigating the process can be challenging. 

Fortunately, there’s an alternative method that a user shared on Reddit, which might help simplify things. 

This method provides a step-by-step workaround for completing Taobao real-name authentication without needing advanced Chinese language skills.

Here’s how it works:

1. Go to Taobao World Website (not the Lite app) and log in using your phone number.
2. Complete the captcha and SMS verification.
3. Scan the QR code using your Taobao Lite app.
4. Click "Use other authentication methods" and select "Passport authentication".
5. Upload a passport image, and the system will autofill details.

Alipay Real-Name Authentication

To use Alipay for payments on Taobao, real-name verification is required. Without it, you won’t be able to pay through Alipay, though using a non-Chinese bank card is still an option.

That said, completing verification is highly recommended to keep your Taobao account secure and avoid potential restrictions.

The process is simple, but one key detail to remember—your Identity Information section needs to be marked as "Verified", or the authentication won’t be considered complete.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:

1. Go to Account & Security in Alipay settings.
2. Click on Identity Information.
3. If your name is not marked as verified, search "实名认证" in Alipay.
4. Upload your passport and complete facial verification.

Where to Find Taobao Passport Verification (e.g., Taobao Chinese Version App)

I know that many international buyers are often confused about where to find the passport verification option.

The location for passport verification is quite easy to miss, and for buyers who aren’t familiar with Chinese, finding it can make things even more challenging.

To help with this, I’ve posted a simple guide on where to find the passport verification section and how to complete it.

This should make the process much easier for those who may be struggling to navigate through the language barrier.

Here's the step-by-step method:

• Go to “我的淘宝 (My Taobao)” → “设置 (Settings)”
• Select “账号与安全 (Account & Security)” → “实名认证 (Real-Name Authentication)”
• Choose “使用其他认证方式 (Use Other Verification Methods)” → “护照认证 (Passport Verification)”

Your Taobao and Alipay verification details must match.

How to Link Alipay to Taobao (e.g., Taobao Chinese Version App)

Many international buyers might wonder, "I’ve downloaded Alipay and completed real-name authentication, so why don’t I see Alipay as a payment option when placing an order?"

The answer is that, after downloading Alipay and verifying your account, you still need to link your Alipay account to your Taobao account before you can use it to pay for orders.

If you haven’t done this step yet, don’t worry—it’s a simple process. I’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to link your Taobao account with Alipay, so you can start using Alipay to make payments right away.

Here’s how to do it:

• Go to “我的淘宝 (My Taobao)” → “设置 (Settings)”
• Navigate to “支付设置 (Payment Settings)” → “绑定的支付宝账号 (Linked Alipay Account)” → “我的支付宝 (My Alipay)”