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Does WhatsApp Work in China in 2025? How to Unblock WhatsApp in China

China has banned several popular social media apps because of the government’s obsession with internet censorship. Does WhatsApp work in China? How do you outsmart the Great Firewall? Keep reading to find the answers.

Wisdom SablahAleksandar KochovskiEugenie Tiu

Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)

Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Writer)

Facts checked by Eugenie Tiu (Editorial Assistant)

Last Updated: 2024-11-17T09:30:56+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Does WhatsApp Work in China
Key Takeaways: Use WhatsApp in China
  • China’s government has tight reins over internet use, and WhatsApp doesn’t work there.
  • With a VPN, you can bypass China’s Great Firewall, and access blocked websites, including WhatsApp. 
  • NordVPN is the most reliable VPN for unblocking WhatsApp in China because of its collection of servers close to China and strong encryption features.
  • Surfshark is a cheaper but less reliable option for unblocking WhatsApp in China. If you want a free VPN, check out Windscribe

The Best VPNs to Unblock WhatsApp in China

  1. NordVPN — Premium protection and a wealth of features. NordVPN’s best deal is available at a 72% discount.
  2. Surfshark — Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited connections. Surfshark offers 66% (plus 3 months free) off on the first two years for new users.
  3. ExpressVPN — User-friendly VPN with premium performance. ExpressVPN is available at a 25% discount and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Best VPN for Unblocking WhatsApp in China

Chances are, if you’re traveling to China, you’re asking yourself, Does WhatsApp work in China? Well, the Chinese government has blocked WhatsApp since 2017. This means you can’t send texts, share images and make voice or video calls using the app in China. 

However, there’s good news. With a VPN, you can get around a geoblock and access WhatsApp. Although there are several VPNs on the market, you need one with fast speeds and robust encryption features that can bypass China’s Great Firewall and deep packet inspection, which lets authorities differentiate between regular traffic and VPN traffic (VPNs are banned in China, too).

In this post, we’ll show you the finest VPNs for unblocking WhatsApp in China. We’ll also give you a step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to unblock WhatsApp. Ready? Let’s dive in. 

  • 10/24/2023

    Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.

  • 10/01/2024

    We fine-tuned the article’s setup process and realigned the VPN order based on recent evaluations.

Does WhatsApp Work in China?

WhatsApp doesn’t work in China since Chinese authorities blocked WhatsApp in 2017, and the restriction is yet to be lifted. While there have been sporadic bans in the past, none have lasted this long, and there’s no indication from the communist-led government that the current ban will be lifted anytime soon. 

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Why Is WhatsApp Banned in China?

WhatsApp is banned in China in order to ensure control over communication and encourage Chinese equivalents. Although, to truly understand why WhatsApp and several other social media platforms are a no-no in China, you’ll have to know a thing or two about the country’s political climate.

China has been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since 1949. This authoritarian regime holds tight reins over everything in the country, including internet usage. 

In 1998, in a bid to censor and monitor internet use, the Chinese government created the famed Great Firewall — a notorious filtering system that monitors the internet and blocks any service the government sees as detrimental to their cause. Read our article to learn more about China’s internet censorship

WhatsApp’s China ban is part of a government-led crackdown on social media messaging apps that began in earnest in 2009. In fact, WhatsApp was the last of Meta-owned (formerly Facebook) apps to be blocked. Facebook was banned in 2009, while Instagram met the same fate in 2014. 

WhatsApp may have been shut down mainly because of its end-to-end encryption feature, which prevents authorities from accessing user data. Governments the world over want the app to implement encryption backdoors, which would help them monitor texts and calls under the guise of national security.

However, it’s clear that authorities want control over the kind of information that’s disseminated. Besides, access to WhatsApp data helps them clamp down on anyone they deem an opponent. 

Further, the Chinese government is hell-bent on promoting its homegrown apps over foreign ones, which is often the case in countries that ban WhatsApp. That’s why the government promotes WeChat, the Chinese alternative to WhatsApp. Learn how to sign up for WeChat outside China.

What Social Media Platforms Are Banned in China?

Almost all western social media platforms are banned in China. The Chinese government continues to ban any app that doesn’t meet its demands. Here are some of the most popular apps and services that don’t work in China. 

It’s worth noting that the Chinese government offers homegrown alternatives to most of these apps. For example, China has Youku Tudou in place of YouTube, Weibo for Twitter, QQ for Facebook Messenger and Xiaohongshu for Instagram. 

How to Unblock WhatsApp in China With a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Unblocking WhatsApp in China is not as difficult as it seems. All you need to do is install a good VPN service, connect to a server and start using the app. We’ll show you how to do just that in the example below. 

However, note that you need to download and install your VPN before heading to China because some VPN websites don’t work there. 

  1. Download and Install a VPN

    For this example, we’ll use NordVPN. To install, go to your Google Play Store on Android (or Apple app store if you’re using an iPhone) and search for the VPN. Create an account and purchase a plan. Long-term plans usually offer the best deals. Click the “install” button, and your VPN should download and install in a few minutes.

    Download NordVPN from App Store
  2. Choose a Server

    Next, open the VPN you just installed and select a server. Always choose a server in a country that has not banned WhatsApp and is close to China so that you can get fast speeds. We’ve connected to a server in Hong Kong, as you can see below.

    Connect to NordVPN Hong Kong Server
  3. Connect to WhatsApp

    Once you’ve installed the VPN and chosen a server, you can install WhatsApp (if you don’t already have it) and start texting or making calls.

    Open WhatsApp

The Best VPN Apps to Unblock WhatsApp in China

Finding the right VPN service to unblock WhatsApp in China can be tricky, particularly because the government monitors and cuts off VPNs. For instance, IPVanish recently reported that China has started blocking its IP addresses, so their service might not work properly there. 

Luckily, there are robust VPN services that are great at bypassing the Great Firewall, ensuring that your traffic can’t be read by the government or your internet service provider (ISP). Although no foreigner has been prosecuted for using VPNs in China, you’re better off using them anonymously. 

That’s why strong encryption, anti-censorship features and obfuscation should be a priority when shopping for a VPN. Further, you need a VPN with servers in countries close to China so you can get the best speeds. While a server in any country in the Asia-Pacific region is a plus, look for VPNs with servers in countries that border China. 

From our experience and testing, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Windscribe are the most effective VPNs for unblocking WhatsApp in China. Let’s examine each in a bit more detail. 

1. NordVPN— Best VPN for Using WhatsApp

get nordVPN button
NordVPN is a reliable VPN for unblocking WhatsApp in China.
Best VPN for Using WhatsApp

Pros

  • Extensive security features
  • User-friendly desktop UI
  • Fast download speeds

Cons

  • macOS lacks split tunneling
  • Few servers in Africa
  • High latency on distant servers

Grab NordVPN’s best deal at a [text-var id=”8425″ slug=”discount”] discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Download
90 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 01/18/25 to 02/15/25
Data for region:

NordVPN is the best VPN to use WhatsApp when you travel to a country that blocks it. It has servers in countries bordering China, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong. NordVPN’s long term plans offer great value for money and you can use it up to 10 devices at the same time.

NordVPN comes decked with all the key features you’d expect, including AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection and OpenVPN protocol support. NordLynx, NordVPN’s take on the WireGuard protocol, is faster and more secure than the more popular OpenVPN, though. The good news is that it’s now the default protocol on NordVPN. 

Another standout feature of NordVPN is that it supports multi-hop connections, a feature it calls double VPN. In essence, double VPN routes your connection through two servers, meaning that your data is encrypted twice. Many VPNs only use one server, so this is significant. Further, NordVPN’s servers support obfuscation, ensuring that your internet traffic appears to Chinese authorities as normal traffic. 

Some websites report that NordVPN is owned by a Chinese firm. However, there’s no evidence to back that claim. What we know for sure is that the VPN is owned by Nord Security and it is registered in Panama. Check out our NordVPN review for more information.

Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Complete
  • *The prices are shown only apply for the first 12 months.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 10
  • Yes
Prime
  • **The prices are applicable only for the first 24 months. Secure, high-speed VPN Threat Protection Pro™: Anti-malware and advanced browsing protection Threat Protection Pro™: Ad and tracker blocker Password manager with Data Breach Scanner 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage Identity and SSN monitoring and alerts Credit monitoring services Up to $1M in identity theft insurance Up to $100K in cyber extortion insurance
  • 10

2. Surfshark — Best Unlimited Connection VPN for Accessing WhatsApp

Surfshark homepage
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections.

Pros

  • Strong security suite options
  • Solid security
  • Excellent speeds

Cons

  • Site may collect your real IP
  • High latency on close servers
  • No Mac/iOS split tunneling

Join millions of satisfied users — get Surfshark now at 66% (plus 3 months free) off and test it risk-free for 30 days.

Download
94 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
9 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
3 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 01/18/25 to 02/15/25
Data for region:
Surfshark Starter
  • Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Surfshark One
  • Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
Surfshark One+
  • Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited

3. ExpressVPN — Easy to Use WhatsApp VPN

expressvpn homepage
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unbanning WhatsApp in China. 

Pros

  • Extensive server network
  • Very fast speeds
  • Unblocks all streaming services

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No anonymous payment methods
  • Owned by Kape Technologies

Unlock the internet safely — subscribe to ExpressVPN today for 25% off and a no-risk 30-day refund period.

Download
84 Mbps
Very Fast
Upload
8 Mbps
Very Fast
Latency
4 ms
Very Fast
Source: Cloudwards VPN Speed Test. We test daily. Data from 01/18/25 to 02/15/25
Data for region:
ExpressVPN Plans
  • Pricing for the annual and biennial plans applies only on the first year.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 8
  • Yes

The Best Free VPN To Use WhatsApp in China

PrivadoVPN

Privado-homepage-2022

Pros

  • Easy-to-use apps
  • Generous free plan
  • 10 device connections
  • Unblocks major streaming services

Cons

  • Relatively slow
  • No third-party audit
  • Poor customer support
  • Small server network

Final Thoughts

If you’re heading to China, you’ll need a VPN to access WhatsApp. Clearly, NordVPN is the most reliable VPN to help you get past China’s Great Firewall. Don’t just take our word for it — NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee lets you verify its quality firsthand without any financial risk. If you want a cheaper alternative, try Surfshark.

For more articles related to the platform, check out the list of 20+ WhatsApp tips we’ve compiled. From security to privacy, these tips can help you get the most out of your favorite messaging app. However, in case you decide to switch to a more private messaging app, here’s a guide on how to delete your WhatsApp account entirely.

Have you ever tried unblocking WhatsApp in China? Which VPN services gave the best results? Share your experience with us in the comments section. As always, thanks for reading.

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