# Octopus for Tourists

> Digital transit and payment card for tourists in Hong Kong. (iPhone/iPad app by Octopus Cards.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus-for-tourists/id1505492952 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Octopus Cards](https://appshunter.io/developer/880569113)
- Category: Finance, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.10/5 from 223 App Store ratings · 279 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.2 · 54 MB
- Languages: American English, Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2020-07-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus-for-tourists/id1505492952/reviews.md

## What is Octopus for Tourists?

Octopus on iPhone or Apple Watch simplifies the way you ride transport and shop in Hong Kong. Breeze through turnstiles or pay at retail outlets just by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch on Octopus readers. No need to open an app or wake your device. Check your balance and skip queues by topping up using your favourite credit / debit card.

It is easy to get an Octopus before or after you arrive in Hong Kong. If you have an iPhone X or later, or Apple Watch Series 3 or later, simply download the Octopus App for Tourists to add a new Octopus.  It is a breeze to check your balance and top up using your favourite credit card / debit card. If you already have a physical Octopus card, you can transfer it to your iPhone or Apple Watch easily.

With Octopus App for Tourists, you can:

- Add an Octopus Card to your iPhone or Apple Watch with just a few steps
- Top up anytime, anywhere, with your favourite non-Hong Kong issued Mastercard, UnionPay or Visa credit or debit cards 
- Check the balance and spending records of your Octopus
- Apply for a refund of the deposit and remaining value on your Octopus before departing Hong Kong


For more details, please visit www.octopus.com.hk
Licence Number: SVF0001

## Key features

- Add Octopus card to iPhone/Apple Watch
- Top up with credit/debit cards
- Check balance and spending
- Refund deposit and remaining value
- Tap to pay at readers

## What do users think of Octopus for Tourists?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for tourists
- 🚀 Works seamlessly on Apple devices
- 👍 Helpful for getting around Hong Kong

**Cons**

- 💰 Inflated exchange rates and hidden fees
- 🐛 Top-up issues and unreliable functionality
- 🤖 Poor customer support and lack of human assistance
- 🤷‍♀️ Forced to use non-local currency

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Transactions failing after initial use
- Card not showing up in Apple Wallet after purchase
- Inability to transfer existing physical card to app

**Most requested features**

- Allow payment in local Hong Kong dollars
- Improve top-up reliability and stability
- Provide better customer support channels

## Recent user reviews (10 of 279)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus-for-tourists/id1505492952/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Worked flawlessly

*2026-08-25, version 1.5.3*

I’d heard previous versions of this app didn’t work well, so I was planning to buy a physical Octopus card in Hong Kong. But when I arrived at West Kowloon at 10:30 pm and the only kiosk for tourists wasn’t taking credit cards, I sure was glad that I had downloaded this app just in case! It was so easy to use for transportation and purchases, and I was able to top up in seconds from anywhere. I was even asked if I was a HK resident because I was able to top up and pay just like a local! After my trip, I got the balance refunded in just two days without any trouble. I’m very glad that I used the app instead of the physical card.

### 1/5 — terrible app terrible support

*2026-08-17, version 1.5.3*

landed in hong kong and added 300HKD, took the money from my account but no account was created. whatsapp ai agent is so useless and braindead wasn’t even useful and customer support was also terrible. told me to wait 2 months for a refund and couldn’t even initiate it yet. what a scam. then it wouldn’t let me add any more money either absolutely terrible app

### 1/5 — Topped up but failed to add card

*2026-08-14, version 1.5.3*

I topped up 100 hkd with my US credit card but it showed an error while adding it to Apple Wallet, that’s it, and showed nothing after I backed to Home page.

### 5/5 — Works fine

*2026-08-11, version 1.5.3*

It actually works pretty well, not sure what the other reviews are about. From australia

### 5/5 — Easy to use

*2026-07-28, version 1.5.3*

I was initially a little bit hesitant to use this due to the below average rating.  My personal experience is quite to the contrary. I was in HK for 7 days and I used it multiple times every single day without any issues. It is very convenient and refilling the account is simple and quick. I literally added funds to the account while waiting for the next bus on more than a few occasions. If you plan on using public transportation in HK, this is a must.

### 1/5 — Mr.

*2026-07-22, version 1.5.3*

The rating for this app should be 0/5. The currency is radiculous low when you use Apple Pay. Do not recommend using it.

### 1/5 — So bad cannot top up!

*2026-07-19, version 1.5.3*

Warning! Only works first time top up. After that it will not let you top up the money!

### 1/5 — Absolute Scam

*2026-07-18, version 1.5.3*

Just tried to set up a card on my iPhone, paid £35GBP (can see via Apple Pay transaction was successful on my card) and NOTHING from the App and NO support! If that’s not a scam I don’t know what is!!!

### 1/5 — Cannot pay using Hong Kong dollars

*2026-07-12, version 1.5.3*

Perhaps it’s me being difficult, but I have a payments card set up in HKD that I cannot use to pay since the app expects me to use a foreign currency and pay a fee to the bank every top up.
Tried setting up the standard octopus app but I need a Hong Kong phone for that. 
Too bad, I’ll buy a physical card instead.

### 4/5 — 还行

*2026-07-07*

明明已经支付成功却不显示卡片 但是几十分钟就退了

**Developer response:** 你好，為進一步了解你嘅情況，請你按此連結https://wa.me/85260377021，我哋嘅在線客戶服務員會提供協助。我哋嘅服務時間為星期一至星期五上午9:00至下午9:00；星期六﹑日及公眾假期上午9:00至下午6:00。如有需要，你亦可以致電八達通顧客服務熱線☎️2266 2222，客戶服務員會為你作進一步跟進，熱線服務時間係星期一至五上午9時至晚上9時，星期六上午9時至下午6時。我哋收到你嘅查詢，會儘快提供協助，不便之處，敬請見諒。

## Frequently asked questions about Octopus for Tourists

### What does Octopus for Tourists do?

Octopus for Tourists allows you to add a digital Octopus card to your iPhone or Apple Watch, simplifying payments for transport and shopping in Hong Kong. You can easily tap your device to pay at readers without needing to open the app or wake your device.

### How do I add an Octopus card to my device?

If you have an iPhone X or later, or Apple Watch Series 3 or later, you can download the Octopus App for Tourists and follow the steps to add a new Octopus card. Existing physical Octopus card users can also transfer their card to their iPhone or Apple Watch through the app.

### Can I top up my Octopus card with this app?

Yes, you can top up your Octopus card anytime and anywhere using your favorite non-Hong Kong issued Mastercard, UnionPay, or Visa credit or debit cards directly through the app. This feature allows you to easily manage your balance and avoid queues.

### Is this app free to use?

The Octopus for Tourists app itself is free to download and use. The primary function is to manage your digital Octopus card, which is a payment method. You will need to top up your Octopus card with funds to use it for transactions.

### What are the compatibility requirements for this app?

To add a new Octopus card using the app, you need an iPhone X or later, or an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. The app is designed for tourists visiting Hong Kong and facilitates easy transit and shopping payments.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5.3 — 2026-02-25

Weixin Pay is now available as a payment method in Octopus App for Tourists, making payments easier when visiting Hong Kong!

### 1.5.2 — 2025-09-25

Weixin Pay is now available as a payment method in Octopus App for Tourists, making payments easier when visiting Hong Kong!

### 1.5.1 — 2025-08-08

Weixin Pay is now available as a payment method in Octopus App for Tourists, making payments easier when visiting Hong Kong!

### 1.5.0 — 2025-07-15

Weixin Pay is now available as a payment method in Octopus App for Tourists, making payments easier when visiting Hong Kong!

### 1.4.0 — 2025-06-12

Weixin Pay is now available as a payment method in Octopus App for Tourists, making payments easier when visiting Hong Kong!

## Apps similar to Octopus for Tourists

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AlipayHK](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alipayhk/id1210638245) | 2.8 (112) | Free | Finance |
| [HSBC HK Mobile Banking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsbc-hk-mobile-banking/id1164066737) | 4.7 (11,877) | Free | Finance |
| [PayMe by HSBC](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/payme-by-hsbc/id1184264977) | 4.6 (2,554) | Free | Finance |
| [BOCHK 中銀香港](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bochk/id1534534188) | 4.8 (6,620) | Free | Finance |
| [BoC Pay+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boc-pay-plus/id1403690384) | 3.7 (11) | Free | Finance |
| [UnionPay APP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unionpay-app/id600273928) | 1.9 (569) | Free | Finance |

## More apps by Octopus Cards

- [Octopus 八達通](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus/id1114430602)
- [Octopus for Business](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/octopus-for-business/id1306589192)

All apps by Octopus Cards: https://appshunter.io/developer/880569113

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*