What works in China

China⛔ Some apps blocked

In China, Google, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X do not work on local networks and hotel Wi-Fi. A travel eSIM with roaming usually routes traffic abroad, so these services work, but you need to install it before the trip.

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  WhatsApp calls WhatsApp (including calls) does not work on Chinese networks.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Messages (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) WhatsApp and Telegram are blocked; WeChat is recommended for contacting locals. According to travel guides, iMessage works.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Telegram calls Telegram is blocked on Chinese networks.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Signal Signal is on the blocked list.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · according to canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026
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  Facebook Facebook is blocked.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Instagram Instagram is blocked.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  YouTube YouTube is blocked.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  X (Twitter) X (Twitter) is blocked.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Google (Search, Gmail, Maps) Search, Gmail, Google Maps and Drive are blocked; Apple Maps works.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Streaming Netflix is unavailable; so are ChatGPT and Reddit.Source: canberratimes.com.au, 05.11.2026 · verified
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  Other The Great Firewall blocks thousands of domains (FOTN 2025: 9/100, the worst score). Wikipedia has been blocked in all languages since April 2019 (OONI). Tip: install WeChat and Alipay in advance, both accept foreign Visa/Mastercard since 2023.Source: ooni.org, 05.2019 · according to ooni.org, 05.2019
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  FaceTime According to travel guides, one-to-one FaceTime works on an iPhone bought outside China; Group FaceTime and call links are unavailable in mainland China (Apple policy, 2022). Weak source.Source: chinadigitaltimes.net, 2022 · not verified
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  TikTok International TikTok does not work in China, only the Chinese Douyin is available (from travel guides, weak source).Source: saily.com, 2026 · not verified
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  VPN Unlicensed VPNs are illegal, fines for citizens up to 15,000 yuan; we found no cases of tourists being penalized. In November 2025 China's Ministry of State Security again warned about "illegal VPNs". VPNs in China are often unstable.Source: scmp.com, 01.2019 · according to scmp.com, 01.2019
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  Viber calls No reliable source found on Viber in China.Source: · not verified

Getting round via a roaming eSIM: Canberra Times (November 2026): a UNSW researcher says some travel eSIMs bypass filtering because traffic goes through gateways in Hong Kong, Singapore or Australia; the eSIM must be installed before arrival; a local SIM or a "Chinese" eSIM is filtered. An Airalo study (arXiv 2024) records home routing for eSIMs in China. Depends on the provider.

What to do

• Messages work, calls may drop. Have a fallback: voice notes or a normal call.
• Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube don't work on local networks and hotel Wi-Fi. Install WeChat and Alipay (they take foreign Visa/Mastercard) and Apple Maps. A roaming eSIM usually routes traffic outside China: Tutu's goes out via Hong Kong or Singapore, so blocked services usually work without a VPN. That's a property of the supplier's roaming, not a guarantee.
• VPN services' sites may not open here. Is a VPN legal: Unlicensed VPNs are illegal, fines for citizens up to 15,000 yuan; we found no cases of tourists being penalized. In November 2025 China's Ministry of State Security again warned about "illegal VPNs". VPNs in China are often unstable.
• During protests, elections or exams the internet or some services have been cut here (постійно). It usually affects a tourist for a day or two.
• Install and sign in to the apps you need at home: WhatsApp, Telegram, Privat24, monobank, Diia, Maps. Some app stores and sites may not open in the country.
• Keep your Ukrainian SIM in the phone with roaming on: bank SMS come to it. Switch data to the eSIM and turn off «Data roaming» on the Ukrainian SIM.
• About Tutu eSIM, honestly: Tutu eSIM is data only, without a number. Normal calls and SMS go through your Ukrainian SIM at roaming rates. So where calls in messengers are blocked, the eSIM alone won't open them.