How to Create a Xiaohongshu Account: Complete Step-by-Step Guide With Screenshots

Table Of Contents

• Understanding Xiaohongshu Account Types

• What You'll Need Before Starting

• Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Xiaohongshu Account

• Download and Install the Xiaohongshu App

• Launch the App and Begin Registration

• Choose Your Registration Method

• Complete Phone Number Verification

• Set Up Your Profile Information

• Verify Your Account Identity

• Switching to a Business or Creator Account

• Common Registration Issues and Troubleshooting

• Essential First Steps After Account Creation

• Account Security Best Practices

Creating a Xiaohongshu account is your gateway to accessing China's most influential social commerce platform, where over 300 million monthly active users discover products, share experiences, and make purchasing decisions. For international brands looking to tap into this lucrative market, establishing a presence on Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote or Little Red Book) is no longer optional—it's essential.

While the registration process itself takes only 10-15 minutes, many international marketers encounter challenges ranging from language barriers to verification requirements. Understanding the nuances of account types, selecting the right registration method, and properly configuring your profile from the start can significantly impact your marketing success on the platform.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of creating a Xiaohongshu account in 2026, complete with screenshots and troubleshooting tips. Whether you're setting up a personal account to explore the platform or preparing to launch your brand's official presence, you'll find everything you need to get started with confidence.

Understanding Xiaohongshu Account Types

Before diving into the registration process, it's important to understand the three primary account types available on Xiaohongshu. Each serves different purposes and offers distinct features tailored to specific user goals.

Personal Accounts are designed for individual users who want to share content, follow creators, and engage with the community. These accounts are ideal for marketers conducting platform research, understanding audience behavior, or testing content strategies before committing to a business presence.

Creator Accounts (also called Pro Accounts) provide additional analytics, content management tools, and monetization features. These accounts suit influencers, KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders), and content creators who plan to regularly publish posts and build a following. Many brands start here to test content performance before upgrading.

Business Accounts offer the most comprehensive features including advertising capabilities, e-commerce integration, customer service tools, and advanced analytics. These accounts require business verification documents and are essential for brands serious about selling on Xiaohongshu. You can learn more about maximizing these features through our Expert Xiaohongshu Marketing Service.

The good news? You'll start with a personal account regardless of your ultimate goals. You can upgrade to Creator or Business status after registration, so there's no pressure to make this decision upfront.

What You'll Need Before Starting

Gathering the necessary items before beginning the registration process ensures a smooth, uninterrupted account setup. Having everything ready prevents frustration and reduces the likelihood of verification delays.

For basic account creation, you'll need:

• A smartphone (iOS or Android) with internet connectivity

• A valid phone number capable of receiving SMS verification codes (Chinese numbers work best, but international numbers are accepted)

• A valid email address (optional but recommended for account recovery)

• A VPN connection if accessing from outside mainland China (recommended for stability)

• Your desired username and profile information

If you plan to eventually upgrade to a Business Account, consider preparing:

• Business registration documents (business license, tax registration)

• Brand trademark certificates (if applicable)

• Official brand logo and visual assets

• Authorized representative identification

For international brands navigating Chinese business verification requirements, our Industry-Specific Xiaohongshu Marketing Strategies provide detailed guidance tailored to your sector.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Xiaohongshu Account

The account creation process follows a straightforward path, but attention to detail during each step ensures proper setup and helps avoid common pitfalls that could delay your launch.

Download and Install the Xiaohongshu App

1. Access Your Device's App Store – Open the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) on your smartphone. Xiaohongshu is primarily a mobile-first platform, though desktop access exists for certain business features.

2. Search for the Official App – Type "Xiaohongshu" or "小红书" in the search bar. The official app icon features a red background with a white underlined "R" symbol. Alternative English names like "RedNote" or "Little Red Book" may also appear depending on your region.

3. Download and Install – Tap the download button and wait for installation to complete. The app size is approximately 200-300MB, so ensure you have sufficient storage space and a stable internet connection. If you're outside China, having a VPN active during download can sometimes help with connectivity.

4. Verify the Official App – Check that the developer is listed as "Xingin" or "行吟信息科技" to ensure you're downloading the legitimate application and not a copycat version.

Launch the App and Begin Registration

1. Open the Xiaohongshu App – Tap the app icon to launch it for the first time. You'll be greeted with a content feed showcasing trending posts, but don't get distracted—we're here to create your account first.

2. Navigate to the Registration Screen – Look for the profile icon (typically in the bottom-right corner) or a "Sign Up" button. The interface may display in Chinese by default, showing "注册" (register) or "登录" (login). New users should tap the registration option.

3. Select Your Preferred Language – While the app is primarily in Chinese, some interface elements offer English translations. Look for language settings (often represented by a globe icon) if you need English assistance, though language options may be limited.

4. Review the Terms and Conditions – Xiaohongshu will present its user agreement and privacy policy. While these documents are typically in Chinese, using your phone's translation feature can help you understand the key terms before accepting.

Choose Your Registration Method

1. Select Phone Number Registration – Xiaohongshu offers several registration methods, but phone number verification remains the most reliable and widely accepted option. This method also provides better account security and recovery options.

2. Consider Alternative Methods – Depending on your region and the app version, you might see options to register via WeChat, QQ, or Apple ID. While these social login options offer convenience, they can sometimes complicate business account upgrades later.

3. Understand Regional Differences – Users in mainland China will have different registration options compared to international users. Chinese phone numbers (+86 country code) generally experience smoother verification, but international numbers (+1, +44, +65, etc.) are increasingly well-supported.

4. Prepare for Verification – Whichever method you choose, be ready to complete a verification step. This security measure helps Xiaohongshu maintain platform quality and reduce spam accounts.

Complete Phone Number Verification

1. Enter Your Phone Number – Input your mobile number with the correct country code. The interface will show a dropdown menu for country selection—scroll to find your country or search using the country code. Double-check the number for accuracy before proceeding.

2. Request the Verification Code – Tap the "Send Code" or "获取验证码" button. Xiaohongshu will send a 6-digit verification code to your phone via SMS. This usually arrives within 30 seconds, though international numbers may experience slightly longer delays.

3. Input the Verification Code – Enter the 6-digit code exactly as received. The code typically expires after 10 minutes, so input it promptly. If you don't receive a code, check your spam folder or verify that your phone can receive international SMS messages.

4. Handle Verification Issues – If verification fails repeatedly, try these solutions: ensure your phone has good signal strength, wait a few minutes before requesting another code, try a different phone number, or switch between WiFi and mobile data. Some users find that activating a VPN helps with code delivery.

Set Up Your Profile Information

1. Choose Your Username – Select a unique username (Xiaohongshu ID) that represents your brand or personal identity. This username appears in your profile URL and @mentions. Choose carefully—while you can change your display name freely, changing the Xiaohongshu ID has limitations.

2. Create a Display Name – Your display name appears prominently on your profile and posts. For brands, this should match your official brand name. For individuals, use a recognizable name. Unlike the username, you can modify this later without restrictions.

3. Upload a Profile Photo – Select a clear, high-quality image that represents your brand or identity. Xiaohongshu recommends square images (1:1 ratio) at least 500x500 pixels. Brands should use their official logo, while individuals might choose a professional headshot.

4. Write Your Bio – Craft a compelling bio (up to 100 characters) that explains who you are and what value you provide. Include relevant keywords that help users discover your account through search. International brands should consider including both English and Chinese text to appeal to bilingual users.

5. Select Your Interests – Xiaohongshu will present category options to personalize your content feed. Select topics relevant to your brand or research interests. These selections also help the algorithm understand your account focus, influencing content recommendations to potential followers.

Verify Your Account Identity

1. Understand Verification Requirements – After basic registration, Xiaohongshu may request additional identity verification depending on your activity plans. Personal accounts might skip this initially, while accounts planning business activities will need comprehensive verification.

2. Prepare Identity Documents – For personal verification, you'll typically need a government-issued ID. For business verification, prepare your business license, brand certificates, and authorized representative identification. International documents may require notarization or official translation.

3. Submit Verification Materials – Navigate to Settings > Account Security > Identity Verification. Follow the prompts to upload clear photos of required documents. Ensure all text is legible and images are well-lit without glare.

4. Wait for Verification Approval – The verification process typically takes 1-3 business days for personal accounts and 3-7 business days for business accounts. You'll receive an in-app notification when verification is complete. During this waiting period, you can still explore the platform and prepare your content strategy.

Switching to a Business or Creator Account

Once your personal account is active, upgrading to Creator or Business status unlocks powerful features that support serious marketing efforts on Xiaohongshu.

To upgrade to a Creator Account, navigate to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select "Creator Center" or "创作者中心." Follow the prompts to apply for creator status, which typically requires demonstrating content creation intent and agreeing to creator terms. This upgrade is usually instant or takes just a few hours.

Upgrading to a Business Account involves more steps. From your profile menu, select "Enterprise Service" or "企业服务," then "Apply for Business Account." You'll need to submit business verification documents including your business license, brand authorization (if applicable), and authorized representative ID. International businesses may need additional documentation proving their legal right to operate in China or represent the brand.

The business verification process examines your submitted documents, verifies business registration authenticity, and confirms brand ownership. This typically takes 3-7 business days, though complex cases involving international entities may require additional time. Once approved, your account gains access to advertising tools, e-commerce features, and advanced analytics.

For brands seeking guidance through the verification process or wanting to maximize their Xiaohongshu business account capabilities, our Expert Xiaohongshu Marketing Service provides hands-on support tailored to international brands navigating Chinese platform requirements.

Common Registration Issues and Troubleshooting

Even following the steps carefully, some users encounter obstacles during registration. Understanding common issues and their solutions helps you move forward quickly.

Phone Number Not Receiving Verification Codes: This is the most frequent registration problem. Try these solutions in order: switch between WiFi and mobile data, disable VPN temporarily during code sending, use a different phone number (friend or colleague), try registering during off-peak hours (avoiding Chinese business hours when server traffic is highest), or contact your mobile carrier to ensure international SMS isn't blocked.

"This Phone Number is Already Registered" Error: If you've previously created an account with this number, use the login function instead of registration. If you don't remember having an account, try the password recovery process. Occasionally, this error appears due to number reassignment—if someone previously used your current number, contact Xiaohongshu customer service for assistance.

Verification Documents Rejected: Business verification failures often stem from unclear document photos, expired certificates, mismatched information between documents, or missing required paperwork. Ensure all document photos are high-resolution, well-lit, and show complete information. All business names must match exactly across documents. For international businesses, consider working with a local agency familiar with Chinese verification requirements.

App Interface Displaying Only Chinese: While Xiaohongshu has limited English interface options, you can navigate registration using your phone's built-in translation features. On iOS, use Safari's translation or screenshot and translate with Google Translate. Android users can enable system-wide translation in accessibility settings. Familiarizing yourself with key Chinese terms (注册 = register, 登录 = login, 发送验证码 = send code) also helps.

Location-Based Access Restrictions: Users outside China occasionally experience connectivity issues. Using a reliable VPN with Chinese servers often resolves these problems. If the app behaves erratically, try clearing the app cache, reinstalling, or ensuring your VPN connection is stable before launching the app.

Essential First Steps After Account Creation

Successfully creating your account is just the beginning. Taking strategic first steps positions you for effective Xiaohongshu marketing from day one.

Start by completing your profile comprehensively. Add all optional information including location, gender, birthday (if appropriate for your brand persona), and external links. A complete profile signals authenticity to both users and the algorithm, improving your content's potential reach. Consider creating both Chinese and English versions of your bio to appeal to Xiaohongshu's increasingly international user base.

Next, follow relevant accounts in your industry. Research competitors, industry leaders, popular KOLs in your niche, and target audience accounts. This serves multiple purposes: you'll understand content trends, the algorithm learns your focus area (improving your own content distribution), and you'll build a network for potential collaborations. Aim to follow 30-50 highly relevant accounts initially.

Engage authentically before posting. Spend several days liking, commenting, and saving posts in your niche. This behavior establishes your account as a genuine community member rather than a spam account. Thoughtful comments in particular can attract profile visits from other users, giving you early followers before you even publish content.

Research your content strategy by exploring successful posts in your category. Use Xiaohongshu's search function to investigate keywords, analyze top posts' formats and styles, note posting frequencies of successful accounts, and identify content gaps you could fill. Our Free Xiaohongshu Resources offer data-driven insights across 20+ industries to accelerate your research.

Plan your first 9-12 posts before publishing anything. Xiaohongshu users often check out your full profile before following, so having a cohesive collection of quality posts increases conversion rates. These initial posts establish your content style, demonstrate expertise, and set expectations for followers.

Account Security Best Practices

Protecting your Xiaohongshu account is critical, especially for business accounts representing brand investments and customer relationships. Implementing security measures from the start prevents devastating account compromises.

Enable two-factor authentication immediately after registration. Navigate to Settings > Account Security > Two-Factor Authentication. This adds an extra verification layer when logging in from new devices, significantly reducing unauthorized access risk.

Use a strong, unique password that you don't use for other platforms. Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely.

Bind multiple verification methods to your account. Link both your phone number and email address so you have multiple recovery options if one becomes inaccessible. For business accounts, ensure multiple team members have recovery access to prevent single points of failure.

Regularly review connected devices in your account settings. Xiaohongshu shows all devices currently logged into your account. Remove any unrecognized devices immediately and change your password if you suspect unauthorized access.

Be cautious with third-party tools claiming to help manage Xiaohongshu accounts. While legitimate social media management platforms exist, many tools violate Xiaohongshu's terms of service and could result in account suspension. Stick to official features or vetted enterprise solutions.

Document your account credentials securely in a way that multiple authorized team members can access in emergencies. For businesses, losing account access can mean losing customer connections and content investments, so treat credentials like valuable company assets.

As you build your Xiaohongshu presence, remember that account security isn't a one-time setup task but an ongoing practice. Regular security audits and staying informed about platform policy changes help protect your investment in this powerful marketing channel.

Creating a Xiaohongshu account opens the door to one of the world's most influential social commerce platforms, where authentic content drives purchasing decisions for hundreds of millions of engaged users. While the registration process requires attention to detail—particularly around verification and profile setup—the steps are straightforward when you follow this systematic approach.

The real journey begins after account creation. Success on Xiaohongshu demands understanding cultural nuances, mastering platform-specific content formats, and consistently delivering value to a discerning audience. International brands face additional challenges around language barriers, localization strategies, and navigating Chinese digital marketing regulations.

Whether you're just exploring Xiaohongshu's potential or ready to launch a comprehensive marketing campaign, the foundation starts with a properly configured account. Take time to set up your profile thoughtfully, research your industry landscape, and plan your content strategy before diving into posting.

Remember that your Xiaohongshu account isn't just a social media presence—it's your brand's gateway to China's influential consumer market and a critical component of any comprehensive China market entry strategy.

Ready to maximize your Xiaohongshu marketing impact? AllXHS offers comprehensive resources designed specifically for international brands navigating Xiaohongshu, including 378+ industry reports, a 21-module training academy, and 25+ ready-to-use tools spanning 20+ verticals. Whether you're just starting out or scaling your presence, our expert team can guide you through every stage of your Xiaohongshu journey. Contact our experts today to develop a customized strategy that drives real results on China's fastest-growing social commerce platform.