Does WhatsApp Work in China in 2025? Info & Unblocking Guide
Before you head to China, you might be wondering, “Does WhatsApp work in China?” Though the Chinese government has blocked WhatsApp, you can access it using a VPN. Read this article to learn which VPN may work and how to set it up.
Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Reviewed by Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated:
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: How to Unblock WhatsApp in China
- Get a Mullvad VPN subscription.
- Download and install the Mullvad VPN app for your device.
- Open the app and connect to a server outside of China. We recommend servers in countries close to China, such as Hong Kong.
- Open WhatsApp and start using the app.
Best VPNs to Access WhatsApp in China
- Mullvad VPN — The best VPN for accessing WhatsApp in China.
- Astrill VPN — Secure VPN to unblock WhatsApp in China.
- VyprVPN — Feature-rich VPN to potentially unblock WhatsApp.
If you’re wondering, “Does WhatsApp work in China?”, the short answer is no. The Chinese government has banned many Western instant messaging apps, including WhatsApp. However, there are ways to access WhatsApp, including using one of the top VPNs that work in China.
In this article, we’ll show you which VPNs are the best options and how to set them up. We’ll also highlight troubleshooting tips in case the VPN doesn’t work. As a bonus, we cover using an eSIM in China and WhatsApp alternatives worth considering.
-
10/24/2023 Facts checked
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
-
10/01/2024 Facts checked
We fine-tuned the article’s setup process and realigned the VPN order based on recent evaluations.
-
06/01/2025 Facts checked
We rewrote this article with a new structure and updated our VPN choices.
Does WhatsApp Work in Mainland China?
WhatsApp doesn’t work in mainland China. This means you can’t send or receive messages, view statuses or make voice or video calls using WhatsApp. The Chinese government banned the popular messaging app in 2017 in a clampdown on foreign social media and messaging apps.
Does WhatsApp Work in Hong Kong & Macau?
WhatsApp works in Hong Kong and Macau. Though Hong Kong and Macau are special administrative regions (SARs) of China, they run under the “one country, two systems” rule. Unlike China, their systems don’t ban WhatsApp or other foreign messaging apps. However, Hong Kong has restricted civil servants’ access to WhatsApp on work computers.
Why Is WhatsApp Banned in China?
Chinese authorities have banned WhatsApp to maintain tight reins on communication and information flow in the country. China is wary of apps that allow users to communicate freely and anonymously. WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, which prevents Chinese agencies from tracking or moderating messages.
In addition, China is dead set on promoting local apps such as WeChat instead of WhatsApp. Of course, the authorities recommend these apps because they adhere to Chinese regulations. The Chinese technology company Tencent owns WeChat, and it can share your data with the Chinese government.
Is WhatsApp Use Illegal? Fines and Penalties Explained
Using WhatsApp in China is technically not illegal. Though China has banned WhatsApp, it doesn’t have specific regulations that make the app unlawful. So far, there’s no record of Chinese authorities arresting, penalizing or jailing anyone who has used Whatsapp since the ban.
The legal grey area may instead be in using a VPN to access WhatsApp. China has occasionally fined local citizens for using unapproved VPNs, but foreigners and expats seem to have been spared these penalties. However, though WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to protect messages, it’s best to avoid sending politically sensitive content while in China.
How to Unblock WhatsApp in China With a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
To unblock WhatsApp with a VPN, you’ll need to connect to a VPN server. Below is a step-by-step guide that you can easily follow. We recommend installing WhatsApp and a VPN before going to China because they might not be accessible once you’re there. We’ll use Mullvad VPN as the example in the guide below, but similar steps apply to other VPNs.
- Subscribe to a VPN
Go to Mullvad’s website and subscribe to a plan. Mullvad has the same monthly price regardless of the plan you choose.
- Download and Install the VPN
Go to your device’s app store and search for “Mullvad.” Click on the “install” button to download and install it on your device.
- Connect to a Server
Open the Mullvad VPN app and search for a server in a country where WhatsApp works. For instance, you should be able to access WhatsApp with the Hong Kong server.
- Download and Install WhatsApp
Search for “WhatsApp Messenger” in your device’s app store. Tap the install button beside the WhatsApp icon to download and install the app. We recommend installing WhatsApp before traveling to China.
If you wait to download WhatsApp until you arrive in China, note that changing your virtual location might not change the location of the app store — you might have to change it manually in the app. If so, go to “settings” > “general” > “account and device preferences” > “country and profiles” and choose a country where WhatsApp is available.
- Start Using WhatsApp
Thanks to the VPN connection, you should be able to access WhatsApp in China. You can then send and receive messages, and make voice and video calls.
The Best VPN Apps for WhatsApp in China
According to our research and tests, Mullvad VPN is the most reliable VPN for China. Astrill also works pretty well, but it’s expensive. VyprVPN may work in some cases, but its performance is less consistent. In this section, we’ll explain our reasons for choosing these VPNs, starting with Mullvad.
We recommend downloading these VPNs before going to China, as their websites and apps may be blocked when you arrive. Note that none of these VPNs have servers in China, so they can’t give you a Chinese IP address.
1. Mullvad — Best VPN Service for WhatsApp in China
Mullvad is the best VPN for China, thanks to its reliable server network and strong security and privacy features. It offers servers in 49 countries, including locations close to China, such as Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan and Malaysia. Servers in these countries are likely to offer better speeds for WhatsApp since they are not far from China.
In addition, Mullvad supports obfuscation through its Shadowsocks proxy. This feature helps disguise your VPN traffic from China’s Great Firewall. Mullvad also has a feature called DAITA (“defense against AI-guided traffic analysis”), which makes it harder for China’s AI-driven censorship systems to detect your VPN.
Discover more Mullvad features in our Mullvad review.
- *Price is converted from Euros
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
2. Astrill — Secure VPN for China
Astrill VPN gives you a good chance of unblocking WhatsApp in China. Its strength against China’s Great Firewall lies in its obfuscated protocols: OpenWeb and StealthVPN. Astrill built these protocols to dodge deep packet inspection (DPI) and automated firewall systems.
Furthermore, Astrill VPN offers servers in 56 countries. You’ll find servers in many Asian countries, such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Pakistan and Vietnam, which may offer faster connections. We go into more detail about what the provider can do in our Astrill VPN review.
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
3. VyprVPN — Feature-Rich VPN for China
VyprVPN isn’t as reliable as Mullvad or Astrill VPN for unblocking WhatsApp, but it’s a useful fallback option. Its proprietary Chameleon protocol masks VPN activity by scrambling OpenVPN metadata, thereby avoiding firewall blocks. VyprVPN also has a smart IP feature that rotates server IP addresses periodically to avoid detection.
VyprVPN has servers in several Asian countries, notably Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, India, Pakistan and Thailand. Choose one of these servers for fast speeds when using WhatsApp. Unfortunately. VyprVPN doesn’t have a kill switch on iOS, so we don’t recommend it for iOS devices. Mullvad is the better option for iOS.
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Unlimited GB
- 5
More plans
- Includes 3 Users, $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management. Global Business Servers, Dedicated Account Manager
- Unlimited GB
- 3
- Includes 3 Users $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management, Your own dedicated server, Fast and easy deployment
- Unlimited GB
- 3
Can I Use a Free VPN in China?
You can use a free VPN in China, but the chances of finding one that works are slim. Many free VPNs don’t have vital features like obfuscation to enable you to bypass the Great Firewall. Plus, some free VPNs can infect your device with malware or log your information and share it with third parties, including the Chinese government.
If you still want to use a free VPN for WhatsApp in China, hide.me is your best bet. It’s one of the best free VPNs and provides servers in seven locations, including France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. There’s no free server in Asia, though. hide.me also offers the SSTP protocol, which uses SSL/TLS encryption to bypass firewalls and censorship.
VPN Not Working With WhatsApp: Troubleshooting Tips
If your WhatsApp isn’t working in China while using a VPN, here are some troubleshooting tips to try:
- Change protocols: Switch to your VPN’s obfuscated protocol, such as Stealth or Shadowsocks. Many VPNs explain each protocol in-app or in their knowledgebase, so you can identify which one offers obfuscation.
- Change servers: Switching server locations might help since China can block some servers more easily.We recommend connecting to servers in areas close to China, like Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia or South Korea. These locations are likely to offer low latency and fast connections.
- Update the apps: Check that your VPN and WhatsApp apps are up to date. Updated apps often contain vital security patches and bug fixes that ensure optimal performance. In addition, make sure your device’s OS is updated.
- Contact your VPN provider: The best VPNs offer reliable customer support, often through email and live chat. It’s a good idea to note down the support email address of your VPN before going to China, as the VPN’s website and chatbot will likely be blocked in the country. You can contact them if you encounter any challenges, and they’ll provide China-specific recommendations.
- Change your VPN: We recommend downloading several VPNs before going to China. That way, if one VPN is blocked, you can switch to another provider. If you want to manually configure a VPN, choose one that allows manual OpenVPN setup. Be sure to download the configuration files before going to China.
Alternatives to Using a VPN With WhatsApp
Below are some alternatives to using a VPN to access WhatsApp. Note that these methods are less reliable and less secure than using a VPN.
- Use a proxy server: A proxy hides your real IP address by routing your internet connection through its server. However, proxies don’t offer encryption, and the Great Firewall can easily detect and block them.
- Use Tor Browser: Tor (The Onion Router) Browser sends your traffic through a series of volunteer-run nodes, increasing your anonymity. Unfortunately, Tor is heavily blocked in China and isn’t user-friendly for most travelers. You can learn more in our Tor Browser review.
- Use an international SIM card: An international or roaming SIM card routes your traffic through foreign servers, enabling you to bypass Chinese firewall restrictions.
- Try other messaging apps: If you still can’t get WhatsApp to work, consider other apps. WeChat and Tencent QQ are two of the most popular Chinese-based messaging apps. However, they can compromise your privacy since they comply with the government’s dictates.
Can You Access WhatsApp With an eSIM in China?
Yes, you can access WhatsApp with an international eSIM while in China. Some eSIMs from foreign carriers route your data outside of mainland China. As a result, they can give you access to WhatsApp as if you were browsing from another country.
Note that not all eSIMs operate this way, with some instead opting to connect via Chinese networks. From our research, Eskimo eSIM (a Singaporean provider) is able to bypass the Great Firewall.
eSIMs from Chinese providers, such as China Mobile, China Telecom or China Unicom, can’t bypass the Great Firewall, so you won’t be able to access the internet freely. Based on our checks, the best eSIM for traveling to China is Airalo. It has wide coverage in more than 200 countries and offers affordable pricing.
WhatsApp Alternatives for China
WeChat, Tencent QQ and iMessage are WhatsApp alternatives worth considering in China.
- WeChat: WeChat is the most popular messaging app in China. It lets you send messages, make voice and video calls, and share images and videos. You can also sign up for WeChat outside of China. Note that WeChat tracks user activity and abides by the rules of the Chinese government.
- Tencent QQ: Tencent QQ is much older than WeChat but appeals to young people, thanks to its built-in social networking, gaming and music features. It’s a good pick for file-sharing, messaging and group chats.
- iMessage: Apple’s iMessage works in China, so you can use it to send and receive messages, and you won’t need a VPN for it to work. However, the Chinese government could gain access to messages via a court order, so be aware of what you’re sending and receiving.
Final Thoughts
WhatsApp is blocked in China, but you can access it with a reliable VPN. The best options have servers in nearby countries and support obfuscation to bypass censorship.
Based on our research, Mullvad VPN is the best VPN to access WhatsApp in China, with strong privacy features and anonymous account setup. Astrill VPN and VyprVPN are also good options, but their performance isn’t guaranteed.
Are you a frequent traveler to China, or is it your first time? Have you ever used a VPN to access the internet in China or in any other censorship-riddled country? Were the steps in this article easy enough to follow? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comment section below. As always, thanks for reading.
FAQ
You can use WhatsApp in China if you connect to a VPN. We recommend connecting to a Mullvad VPN server outside of China before opening WhatsApp.
WeChat is China’s alternative to WhatsApp. WeChat has more than a billion users, with most of them based in China.
WeChat and Tencent QQ work seamlessly in China. Western apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are blocked, but you can use a VPN to access them.