What works in India

Check what will work on holiday. Every fact with its source and date.

Checked 12.11.2026

India⛔ Some apps blocked

In India, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and Google work, but TikTok has been banned since 2020. The authorities often shut down mobile internet locally (Manipur, Kashmir, during unrest or exams): 65 times in 2025.

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TikTok TikTok has been banned since June 2020 (Section 69A of the IT Act) along with other Chinese apps; in August 2025 the government confirmed the ban is still in force.Source: newsonair.gov.in, 23.08.2025 · verified
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VPN Using a VPN is legal; since 2022 VPN providers must keep user data (CERT-In), some VPN apps were removed from app stores in 2025.Source: scroll.in, 2026 · according to scroll.in, 2026
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Other Some websites are blocked, including Pakistani media since May 2025; frequent local internet shutdowns (65 in 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · verified

✅ 12 more work

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WhatsApp calls Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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FaceTime Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Messages (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Telegram calls Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Viber calls Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Signal Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Facebook Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Instagram Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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YouTube Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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X (Twitter) Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Google (Search, Gmail, Maps) Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025
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Streaming Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).Source: freedomhouse.org, 2025 · according to freedomhouse.org, 2025

Getting round via a roaming eSIM: We found no specific data on blocking from test trips with a roaming eSIM; a study of the Airalo ecosystem shows that traffic from such eSIMs usually reaches the internet abroad (home routing / IPX hub), but nobody has checked local blocks for this particular country.

Happened before

2025 (весь: 65 internet shutdowns in 12 states/territories, 2nd place in the world · source
11.2024: Multi-week shutdown in Manipur during protests · source

What to do

During protests, elections or exams the internet or some services have been cut here (2025 (весь, 11.2024). 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.

Do WhatsApp calls work in India?

Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).

Does FaceTime work?

Works; social media platforms are not blocked as a whole (FOTN 2025).

Is a VPN legal?

Using a VPN is legal; since 2022 VPN providers must keep user data (CERT-In), some VPN apps were removed from app stores in 2025.

Do Privat24 and monobank work?

Yes, mostly. Banks confirm log-ins by SMS or push to the «financial» number, so keep the Ukrainian SIM in the phone.

eSIM · India Blocked apps by country