Can a phone number be inherited? Qiqihar siblings fight over phone number in court ruling, Shenzhen lawyer explains three key points on virtual property inheritance.
In September 2026, the Tiefeng District People's Court of Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province, mediated a peculiar statutory inheritance dispute: Mr. Wen and his two sisters went to court over the mobile phone number of their deceased mother. This seemingly ordinary case, however, sparked widespread public attention on the inheritance of virtual property, due to the property rights and data value carried by the phone number. In the digital age, a mobile phone number is no longer a simple communication tool—it is linked to WeChat, Alipay, bank cards, and various online accounts, and may even hold market trading value. So, can the right to use a mobile phone number actually be inherited? And after inheritance, how should the bound associated content be handled? From the professional perspective of a Shenzhen lawyer, this article will provide an in-depth analysis of the legal points concerning virtual property inheritance, in light of the relevant provisions of the Civil Code and judicial practice.
I. The Right to Use a Mobile Phone Number: Judicial Recognition from Communication Tool to Virtual Property
Mobile phone numbers are a scarce resource allocated by the state. Through real-name registration, users sign service contracts with carriers and obtain exclusive usage rights rather than ownership. This legal characterization was confirmed in the Qiqihar case: the court held that although a mobile phone number is not a tangible object, its market transaction value—including prepaid balances, points, membership benefits, and even premium numbers—endows it with property attributes. More importantly, as a key to identity verification, a mobile phone number is directly tied to the security of bank accounts and payment instruments, elevating its legal status far beyond that of an ordinary communication tool.
According to Article 127 of the Civil Code, where laws provide for the protection of data and online virtual property, such provisions shall apply. Although this article is a referral clause and does not directly specify the exact scope of virtual property, in judicial practice, courts generally include digital resources that have property value and can be controlled by individuals within the scope of inheritance. The right to use a mobile phone number, due to its exclusivity, transferability, and economic value, is recognized as inheritable virtual property.
However, it should be noted that the ownership of a mobile phone number belongs to the state, and what the heir inherits is the right to use it, not the number itself. This means that the heir must continue to comply with the service provider's agreement and pay fees on time; otherwise, the number may be cancelled and reclaimed. In Shenzhen, service providers such as China Mobile Shenzhen Branch typically require the heir to provide a notarized certificate of inheritance or a legally effective court document before the transfer can be processed.
II. Inheritance Procedures: Notarization or Litigation, with Legal Documents as a Prerequisite for Transfer of Title.
Mobile number inheritance is not as simple as just presenting a death certificate. In the Qiqihar case, the carrier explicitly required a notarized certificate of inheritance rights or a court judgment or mediation document. This is because, as a real-name registered account, the carrier must ensure that the transfer of ownership has legal validity, so as to avoid subsequent liability issues arising from family disputes.
Under Article 1122 of the Civil Code, an estate consists of the lawful personal property left by a natural person at the time of death. The right to use a mobile phone number qualifies as lawful property, and first-order heirs (spouse, children, and parents) all enjoy equal inheritance rights. If the heirs reach a consensus, they may jointly go to a notary office to obtain a notarized certificate of inheritance rights; if they cannot reach an agreement, the matter must be resolved through litigation, with the court rendering a judgment. A mediation document or judgment issued by the court serves as the transfer certificate recognized by the telecommunications operator.
Shenzhen lawyers remind: When handling the inheritance of a mobile phone number, the heir should first confirm whether the number is still within its validity period, and gather materials such as the death certificate, proof of kinship, and the real-name registration information of the mobile phone number. If there are multiple heirs, their respective shares should be clearly defined to avoid future disputes. For the inheritance of premium or high-value numbers, it is advisable to consult a professional lawyer in advance to assess the market value of the number and tax-related issues.
III. Handling of Associated Accounts: Inheriting the number does not mean inheriting the account content.
After inheriting a phone number, the most challenging issue lies in the third-party accounts bound to it. The judge in the Qiqihar case explicitly stated that inheriting the right to use a phone number does not mean inheriting the bound WeChat, Alipay, bank cards, or other accounts. Accounts on various platforms are subject to their user agreements, and the ownership of data and virtual property within those accounts must be handled according to platform rules.
For example, the balance in WeChat Wallet and assets in Licaitong are the user's personal property, and heirs can apply for inheritance and withdrawal through the platform's customer service. However, WeChat chat records and Moments data may involve privacy rights, and heirs have no right to view or dispose of them without authorization. For Alipay's Yu'e Bao and Huabei credit limits, the platform's inheritance procedures must also be followed. For bank cards, heirs need to bring a notarized certificate or court document to the bank to handle inheritance and withdrawal.
More importantly, if the account contains the rights of others, such as marital joint property or partnership funds, the heir's unauthorized disposal may constitute infringement. In Shenzhen, there have been multiple cases where heirs secretly transferred the deceased's Alipay funds and were ordered to return the funds and compensate for losses. Therefore, lawyers advise that after inheriting a mobile number, one should first sort out the associated accounts, distinguish personal assets from joint property, negotiate a disposal plan with all heirs, and, if necessary, confirm the ownership of rights through legal procedures.
IV. A Lawyer's Perspective: The Urgency of Estate Planning in the Digital Age
The Qiqihar case highlights the gap in digital-era estate planning. Most people do not include virtual assets in their wills, leaving heirs to face difficulties in providing evidence and navigating cumbersome procedures. As a city with a thriving internet economy, Shenzhen residents hold a vast amount of digital assets—phone numbers, gaming accounts, digital currency, self-media accounts, and more—whose value may far exceed that of traditional real estate.
Under Article 1133 of the Civil Code, a natural person may make a will to designate that their personal property be inherited by statutory heirs. Clearly specifying the scope of virtual property and the method of inheritance in the will can significantly reduce disputes. When handling will-related matters, lawyers in Shenzhen often advise clients to list an inventory of virtual property, including platform names, account details, valuations of associated assets, and to designate an executor of the will. Meanwhile, operators and platforms should also improve guidelines for the inheritance of virtual property and provide convenient transfer channels.
For ordinary citizens facing similar inheritance issues, it is advisable to consult a professional lawyer promptly. Guangdong Zhiming Law Firm has been deeply rooted in the Shenzhen legal market for many years, with extensive experience in matrimonial and family matters as well as estate inheritance. The firm has assisted numerous clients in handling virtual property inheritance disputes, covering emerging assets such as phone numbers, game accounts, and digital currencies. We provide full-process services ranging from will planning to inheritance litigation, ensuring that your digital legacy is legally and properly passed on.
In the digital age, virtual property is no longer ethereal. The question of whether a phone number can be inherited has been clearly answered, but how to safely and orderly pass on digital assets still requires legal wisdom and professional guidance.
