Does FirebaseAuth Work in China?

What is FirebaseAuth?

Firebase Authentication (FirebaseAuth) is a backend service provided by Google that enables developers to authenticate users in mobile and web apps. It supports multiple authentication methods, including email/password, phone numbers, and third-party identity providers like Google, Facebook, Apple, and Twitter.

FirebaseAuth is widely used for its ease of integration, robust security features, and seamless connection with other Firebase and Google Cloud services. It simplifies user management while offering features like multi-factor authentication, session management, and secure token generation.

Is FirebaseAuth Available in China?

No. FirebaseAuth is not fully functional in mainland China. It relies on Google infrastructure, including APIs and authentication endpoints, meaning requests may be blocked or delayed by the Great Firewall. Authentication flows that require Google Sign-In or social logins are particularly unreliable. Additionally, FirebaseAuth does not provide local data hosting in China, making it non-compliant with China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) and other data residency requirements. This presents a legal and operational challenge for businesses relying on FirebaseAuth for user management in China.

How AppInChina Can Help

AppInChina supports businesses trying to deploy FirebaseAuth in China by:

• Recommending local alternatives to replace FirebaseAuth. Local alternatives such as Huawei Account Kit, Alibaba Cloud ID and Authing can be deployed to replace FirebaseAuth. AppInChina recommends Authing, as it offers a comprehensive CIAM solution with over 10 Chinese login channels (including WeChat and Alipay), customisable authentication workflows, and enterprise-grade security features. AppInChina provides Authing enterprise account setup assistance and end-to-end integration services, ensuring seamless implementation tailored to China’s regulatory and technical requirements.
• Ensuring user data and credentials are handled in accordance with the PIPL.

To operate authentication smoothly in China, contact us to get started, and we will help you end-to-end to integrate a compliant and effective FirebaseAuth alternative.