Codex is OpenAI’s coding agent — a terminal CLI, a VS Code extension and a desktop app that writes and edits code. Claude is Anthropic’s assistant and Claude Code is its coding tool. Both are very popular with mainland developers, but both are officially “not available” here: OpenAI and Anthropic publish supported-country lists, and Mainland China is not on either. In practice, registering requires a stable proxy/VPN, an account created from a supported country, a phone number from a supported country, and a way to pay. This guide walks through each step.
Why Mainland China is not on the supported list
Both OpenAI and Anthropic publish supported-country lists that include more than a hundred countries but omit Mainland China. OpenAI states that accounts accessed from outside the list “may be blocked or suspended”, and Anthropic reserves the right to decline service outside its regions. Accessing these services therefore relies on a stable proxy and consistent usage.
Four things you need before you start
- A stable proxy/VPN — paid is safer than free; shared free nodes are often flagged.
- An email address you control and actually check.
- A phone number from a supported country — a real foreign line or a verification-service number. OpenAI relaxed ChatGPT signup verification in 2026, but API keys and Claude still need it. See our SMS guide.
- A payment method that works in a supported country — App Store/Google Play billing or a foreign virtual card. See our payment guide.
Step 1 — Connect to a supported country
Connect your proxy to a country that is on both supported lists — the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Germany or France all work. Stay on the same country for the whole signup; a US-registered account that suddenly logs in from Japan looks abnormal.
Step 2 — Create the account
Use a fresh email. Sign up at chatgpt.com for OpenAI and at claude.ai for Anthropic.
For Codex (OpenAI / ChatGPT)
- Open chatgpt.com and click “Sign up”.
- Enter your email and password (or continue with Google / Apple).
- Confirm the email verification link if asked.
- Since 2026, a phone number is no longer mandatory just to register ChatGPT — but you will need one to create an API key or when logging in from a new device.
For Claude (Anthropic)
- Open claude.ai and click “Sign up”.
- Enter your email and password (or continue with Google).
- Confirm the email verification link.
- Verify with a phone number from a supported country if prompted.
Step 3 — SMS verification
OpenAI removed the mandatory phone step for basic ChatGPT accounts in 2026, but you will still hit phone verification when you create your first OpenAI API key on platform.openai.com, when you log in from a new device or unusual location, and Anthropic still asks for a supported-country number for Claude. A +86 number is not accepted anywhere, and free VoIP numbers (Google Voice, TextNow, TextFree, Skype) are rejected. You need a non-VoIP number from a supported country — see our SMS verification guide.
Step 4 — Set up Codex (OpenAI)
- Terminal CLI: run the official install script (`curl -fsSL https://chatgpt.com/codex/install.sh | sh` on Mac/Linux), or `npm install -g @openai/codex`, then run `codex` and choose “Sign in with ChatGPT”.
- VS Code / Cursor / Windsurf: install the “ChatGPT” extension by OpenAI (id `openai.chatgpt`), sign in, and open the Codex icon or run “Codex: Open Codex Sidebar”.
- Desktop app / web: run `codex app`, or open chatgpt.com/codex. Full use needs a paid plan (Plus/Pro).
Step 5 — Set up Claude (Anthropic)
- Desktop app: download from claude.ai/download (macOS / Windows); Claude Code is built in.
- Claude Code CLI: `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code`, then run `claude` and sign in.
- VS Code: install the “Claude Code” extension and sign in. Full use needs Pro/Max or API credits.
Step 6 — Pay
Mainland-issued cards (UnionPay or dual-currency Visa/Mastercard) are almost always rejected, and Alipay/WeChat Pay are not accepted. The two routes that work from the mainland are App Store/Google Play in-app subscriptions (with a foreign-region account and gift cards) and foreign virtual cards. Our payment guide covers both in depth, with 2026 pricing and scam warnings.
Staying out of trouble
- Keep the proxy on and on the same country for the first logins and payments.
- Keep your verification number reachable for a few weeks — you may be asked to re-verify.
- Do not share one number across many accounts — shared numbers get flagged.
- Enable two-factor authentication after you are in.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to register for Codex or Claude from Mainland China using a VPN?
VPNs are widely used but their use is a policy grey area in Mainland China, and both OpenAI and Anthropic geo-restrict their services. Using them from an unsupported country may breach their terms and can lead to suspension. This is general information, not legal advice — assess and follow local rules yourself.
Will my account be banned?
Both companies can suspend accounts they believe come from unsupported regions, so the risk is never zero. A stable proxy, a real non-VoIP number and consistent usage keep the risk low.
Can I use Codex or Claude for free?
With limits, yes. ChatGPT’s free plan includes a small amount of Codex usage and Claude has a free tier. Full coding-agent use requires a paid plan — ChatGPT Plus/Pro for Codex, Claude Pro/Max for Claude Code.
Which proxy country should I pick?
Any country on both supported lists. US and UK are the most compatible and easiest to obtain numbers for; Japan and Singapore are fast from the mainland.
My card was rejected. What should I do?
Switch to the App Store/Google Play in-app route with a foreign-region account and gift cards, or use a foreign virtual card. See our payment guide for both, including 2026 scam warnings.