Use DeepSeek API without a Chinese phone number

Updated 2026 · For developers outside mainland China

DeepSeek’s native platform often requires Chinese mobile verification and local payment methods. That blocks many overseas developers even when they only want an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.

Three paths

1. Official account — if you can complete local verification and Alipay/WeChat billing.
2. Cloud hosts — third-party clouds that serve DeepSeek weights (pricing and versions vary).
3. API gateway (recommended for most apps) — keep your SDK; change base_url.

Gateway setup with ChinaSo

from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(api_key="YOUR_KEY", base_url="https://api.chinaso.org/v1")
print(client.chat.completions.create(
    model="deepseek-chat",
    messages=[{"role":"user","content":"ping"}],
).choices[0].message.content)

No Chinese SIM. English console. Prepaid balance.