No, Uber does not operate in mainland China. DiDi acquired Uber China in 2016. This answer concerns the mainland; Hong Kong and Macau have separate transport markets. Acquisition announcement.
Which DiDi app should you install?
Use DiDi China: Ride Hailing, the mainland listing published by DiDi. Its current description confirms English, overseas phone numbers, international bank cards and bilingual in-app support. Do not assume the separate DiDi Rider app used in other countries covers your mainland trip. Official listing.
Install it before departure and make sure you can receive a verification SMS on your registered number. Wi-Fi alone does not give your phone SMS reception.
Can you use Alipay or WeChat instead?
Yes. Shanghai's official guide describes DiDi inside both wallets. In WeChat, open Services and Ride Hailing; set DiDi's language to English. In Alipay, find the DiDi service. Complete the wallet's payment setup before ordering. Choose the route that fits the wallet you already use, and check the payment method before ordering. Setup and payment guide.
Booking and meeting your driver
Enter the destination, check the pickup pin and select the ride type and displayed price. Save your hotel's Chinese name and address in case the search gives an ambiguous result. Match the license plate before boarding. Keep the last four digits of your registered phone number handy for pickup verification; the official guide also explains translated driver messages. Booking steps.
Airport pickups and fares
Follow the directions for your actual airport and terminal. Do not assume every pickup is on the same floor or at the arrivals curb. Shanghai publishes separate transport guides for Pudong and Hongqiao terminals. Airport guides.
Read the live fare, tolls and cancellation terms before confirming. We do not publish a nationwide price or cancellation allowance because those depend on the trip. If the app or payment fails, ask the airport desk or hotel for a licensed taxi and confirm its payment method before departure.