Flight layover in China

Nibble0289

Does anyone have experience with flights that have a layover in China? How did you handle it?

I am going on a trip for which the flight will most likely have a layover in China, other flights are way more expensive and all others I am travelling with are not willing to pay more to avoid having to land in China. I have some questions/things that concern me:

Is there really a possibility of them taking your phone to go though it?
Is having GrapheneOS going to cause issues?
Will turning the phone off, putting it in BFU, be good enough in terms of security?

brookie229

Nibble0289

No (well there is always a possibility just like anywhere else, but highly unlikely)
No
No need to unless you want (may look even more suspicious if you are being checked)

Bottom line - don't worry about all this unless you are a true criminal.

de0u

Nibble0289 Is there really a possibility of them taking your phone to go though it?

It might be best to consult an attorney who has practiced in China. A nearby university law school may include one.

In a vague general sense passengers who are temporarily in an airport (in transit) and don't cross a security line may be fairly unlikely to have devices inspected.

The appropriate degree of caution may depend on what's on the device! Crypto wallet seed phrases, or trade secrets, may suggest a different approach than just family photos and a contact list.

Nibble0289

de0u It's just a privacy and security thing and not about anything secret. I do have some trading and banking apps on my phone, a 2fa app, password manager, and a VPN to my house for backing up photos to Immich. Apart from that it is just personal photos, contacts and the likes. Do you really think contacting an attorney is neccesary? The others seem to suggest that it will be fine.

Ignorant_Cormorant

de0u passengers who are temporarily in an airport (in transit) and don't cross a security line

You do go through security screening when transferring between international flights.

Bits and bytes are typically of no concern, but if your battery is dead and you cannot power on your device, this might raise suspicion.

grain0613

I did a layover in China before, nothing to worry about

de0u

Nibble0289 Do you really think contacting an attorney is neccesary? The others seem to suggest that it will be fine.

I'm sure it's fine 99% of the time, so 99% of reports from travelers will be that it was fine for them. In general 99% of people don't get arrested, sued, etc. Attorneys come into play for the small fraction of the time when significant legal events do happen.

dhhdjbd

Nibble0289

i had a layover and they did not ask for my phone or anything like that.
For one they even kinda fast laned us through the airport (because it was a 1 hour layover..). I mean it is just anecdotal, but i did not appear to me likely that one has to show their phone

i honestly would suggest to either just try your luck, and it will most likely work, and if they really ask just show them your phone

or if you really do not want to show it them under an cirumstances just not take it with you/ have no data on it

i doubt a "i dont want my to show my phone/ here is my lawyer" is worth it. like all the stress and in the end you might miss your fligth / they send you back / who knows what happens. This wont be a good experience

(be aware at the airport for wifi you need to show your id, and vpn is illegal i believe btw (to use, not to have installed, in case you want to use the wifi))

brookie229

Nibble0289 Do you really think contacting an attorney is neccesary?

Definitely no need imo.