Yes, you can create a Bilibili account in the US, but the platform is designed for Chinese users and has limits for people outside China

Bilibili is a Chinese video platform similar to YouTube, owned by a company called Bilibili Inc. You can sign up from anywhere, including the US, using an email address or phone number. However, the platform's features, content recommendations, and payment options are built around Chinese users. Some features may not work the same way for you, and customer support is primarily in Chinese.

The main reason to know this upfront: if you are in the US and want to watch specific creators or use certain features like live streaming or purchasing virtual gifts, you may run into restrictions or payment problems that users in China do not face.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create a Bilibili account from the US using an email address, phone number, or third-party login like WeChat or QQ, but you will need a Chinese phone number to unlock some features.
  • The platform is primarily in Chinese, and most content is aimed at Chinese audiences, so your experience will be different from a user in China.
  • Paying for premium features or virtual gifts requires a Chinese payment method or a workaround, which most US users cannot easily do.
  • Your account will work for watching public videos, but live streaming, uploading content, and accessing certain restricted features may be blocked for non-China accounts.

What you need to sign up

To create a Bilibili account, you need one of the following: an email address, a phone number (any country), a WeChat account, or a QQ account. WeChat and QQ are Chinese messaging apps, so if you do not already have one, you would need to set that up first.

The sign-up process itself is straightforward. Go to the Bilibili website or read the app, click "Sign Up," and enter your chosen method. You will receive a verification code by email or text, enter it, create a password, and choose a username. This takes about five minutes and works from the US without a VPN.

After you sign up, Bilibili will ask you to set a profile picture and username. You do not need to provide your real name, address, or payment information at this stage.

What features work differently for US users

Once your account is created, you can watch most public videos on Bilibili without restriction. The platform has millions of videos on gaming, animation, music, education, and other topics. However, some features are limited or blocked for accounts outside China.

Live streaming: If you want to stream to Bilibili, you will need a Chinese ID number (身份证). US users cannot obtain this, so streaming is not possible from the US.

Uploading videos: Uploading your own content requires a Chinese phone number and real-name registration. Most US users cannot complete this step.

Paying for features: Bilibili's premium membership, virtual gifts, and other paid features require a Chinese payment method. US credit cards and PayPal do not work. Some users have found workarounds using third-party services, but these are not supported by Bilibili and carry risk.

Restricted content: Some videos are marked as only viewable in China. You will see a message saying the content is not available in your region.

How to set up your account for watching

After you create your account, you can start watching when ready. Search for creators or topics using the search bar at the top of the page. The interface is in Chinese, but most browsers have a built-in translate feature that can help.

You can save videos to a "Watch Later" list by clicking the bookmark icon, and you can follow creators to see their new uploads. You can also comment on videos, though comments are moderated and must follow Bilibili's community rules.

To change your account settings, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Settings." From there you can update your password, email, or profile information. These settings work the same way for US users as for users in China.

Why you might not be able to unlock certain features

Bilibili requires real-name registration and a Chinese phone number to unlock features like live streaming, uploading, and purchasing. This is a legal requirement in China for video platforms. Bilibili cannot bypass this rule for international users, even if you wanted to pay.

If you try to access these features without a Chinese phone number, you will see an error message asking you to complete real-name registration. There is no way around this from the US.

Some users have tried using VPNs to make it appear they are in China, but this violates Bilibili's terms of service and can result in account suspension. It is not worth the risk if you want to keep your account.

What happens if you delete or deactivate your account

If you decide you no longer want your Bilibili account, you can delete it. Go to Settings, scroll down to "Account," and look for the option to delete your account. Bilibili will ask you to confirm and may ask why you are leaving. Once you confirm, your account and all your data (watch history, saved videos, comments) will be permanently removed.

Bilibili does not have a "deactivate" option that lets you pause your account temporarily. You can only delete it permanently or stop using it without deleting it. If you think you might return later, you can straightforward stop logging in and leave your account as is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a VPN to create a Bilibili account in the US?

No. You can create an account without a VPN from anywhere in the world. Bilibili does not block account creation from outside China. However, using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions on content or features violates the terms of service and can get your account suspended.

Can I watch Bilibili videos without creating an account?

Yes. Most public videos on Bilibili can be watched without logging in. You only need an account if you want to save videos, follow creators, comment, or access personalized recommendations.

What language is Bilibili in, and can I change it to English?

Bilibili is primarily in Chinese. The website and app do not have an official English language option. You can use your browser's built-in translation tool (available in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox) to translate the interface, but this is not perfect and some text will remain in Chinese.

If I create an account, will Bilibili send me emails or notifications?

Bilibili will send you a verification email when you sign up and may send notifications about new uploads from creators you follow, depending on your notification settings. You can turn off most notifications in your account settings. Bilibili does not sell your email to third parties.

Can I use the same email for both a Bilibili account and other accounts?

Yes. You can use the same email address for Bilibili and other platforms. Each platform stores your password separately, so using the same email does not create a security risk as long as you use different passwords for each account.