Yes, you can create a Bilibili account in the US, but the platform is designed for Chinese users and you will run into friction

Bilibili allows account creation from the United States, but the site and app assume you are in mainland China. You can sign up with an email address or phone number, set a password, and start watching — but the experience is built around Chinese payment methods, Chinese ID verification for certain features, and Chinese content recommendations. If you want to upload videos, go live, or access creator tools, you will eventually need a Chinese phone number or ID, which most US users do not have.

The platform does not block US IP addresses outright, and many US users watch Bilibili content without problems. The real barrier is not geography — it is that Bilibili's infrastructure and features assume you are paying and verifying from China. If you only want to watch, the account works fine. If you want to create, you will hit a wall.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create a Bilibili account from the US using an email address or phone number, and watching videos requires no verification.
  • Uploading videos, going live, or accessing monetization features requires a Chinese phone number or Chinese ID, which most US users cannot provide.
  • Payment methods on Bilibili are tied to Chinese banks and payment systems; US credit cards and PayPal do not work for most transactions.
  • The platform's terms of service do not explicitly forbid US users, but Bilibili does not officially support accounts outside mainland China.

What you need to sign up from the US

To create a basic Bilibili account, you need one of three things: an email address, a phone number, or a QR code scan from WeChat or Sina Weibo. Most US users choose email because it requires no Chinese service. Go to bilibili.com, click the login button, select "Sign Up", enter your email, create a password, and verify the email link Bilibili sends you. The whole process takes five minutes.

You do not need a phone number, ID, or payment method to watch videos. Bilibili will ask you to set a username and avatar, but both are optional at first. You can start watching immediately after email verification.

Where the US account hits limits

Bilibili separates basic viewing from creator features. If you want to upload videos, go live, comment with images, or earn money from views, Bilibili requires real-name verification. This means providing your legal name and either a Chinese ID number (身份证) or a Chinese phone number tied to a real identity. US passports and driver's licenses do not work for this step.

Some features lock behind verification even if you do not plan to create. Certain videos marked as restricted content require age or identity verification before you can watch them. Bilibili also limits how many videos unverified accounts can upload per day — usually zero, or a very small number depending on account age.

If you try to monetize through Bilibili's creator program, the platform will ask for a Chinese bank account, tax ID, or third-party payment processor registered in China. US bank accounts and payment methods are not accepted for payouts.

Payment and subscription options from the US

Bilibili's premium membership (called "大会员" or "Big Member") costs money, but the payment system does not accept US credit cards, PayPal, or Apple Pay from a US account. If you want to pay for premium features or send virtual gifts to creators, you would need to use a Chinese payment method or a third-party service that converts US dollars to Chinese yuan and processes the payment through a Chinese bank.

Some third-party resellers on platforms like eBay or Taobao offer Bilibili gift cards or membership codes, but these carry risk — the seller may not deliver, the code may be invalid, or the transaction may violate Bilibili's terms. Bilibili does not officially support these workarounds.

Why Bilibili does not block US users but does not support them

Bilibili is owned by a Chinese company and operates under Chinese law. The platform does not explicitly forbid US users, so it does not block US IP addresses or refuse US email signups. However, Bilibili has no customer support for US-based accounts, no English-language help center, and no payment infrastructure for US users. The company's business model is built around Chinese creators, Chinese viewers, and Chinese advertisers.

If your account is suspended, hacked, or deleted, Bilibili's support team will respond in Chinese only and may not help if you are outside China. There is no US phone number to call and no English-language support ticket system.

Alternatives if you want to create content

If you are a US-based creator who wants to upload videos, Bilibili is not a practical choice without a Chinese phone number or ID. YouTube, Rumble, Kick, or Twitch are better options because they accept US creators, process payments to US bank accounts, and provide support in English. These platforms also have larger US audiences and do not require identity verification to start uploading.

If you want to watch Bilibili content from the US, the free account works fine. If you want to interact as a creator or pay for premium features, you will need to find a workaround or use a different platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Bilibili delete my account if I am in the US?

Bilibili does not automatically delete accounts based on location. However, if you violate the terms of service or if Bilibili detects suspicious activity, your account can be suspended or deleted. US-based accounts have less protection because Bilibili does not officially support them and has no US customer service team to appeal to.

Can I use a VPN to make Bilibili think I am in China?

A VPN can mask your IP address, but it does not solve the core problem: you still cannot verify your identity with a Chinese ID or phone number, and you still cannot pay with a US payment method. Bilibili may also detect and ban accounts using VPNs, depending on their current enforcement.

What happens if I give a fake Chinese phone number?

If you provide false information during verification, Bilibili can suspend or permanently delete your account. The platform cross-checks phone numbers and ID information against Chinese government databases, so fake data will be caught during verification.

Can I watch Bilibili videos without creating an account?

Yes. You can watch most public videos on Bilibili without logging in. Some restricted or age-gated content requires an account, but you do not need to verify your identity just to watch.

Is it legal to use Bilibili from the US?

Using Bilibili from the US is not illegal. However, Bilibili's terms of service are written under Chinese law and may not be enforceable in the US. If a dispute arises, you would have limited recourse because Bilibili does not have a US legal presence and does not offer US-based customer support.