Is the LINE app available in China? Regrettably, individuals attempting to access the Line app within China will discover that it is unfortunately blocked. China’s stringent Internet censorship measures result in the restriction of access to numerous popular platforms like Twitter, WhatsApp, and Line within the country.
Nevertheless, there are methods available to access restricted websites and connect to favored services, including LINE, even when situated in China. To gain access to the LINE app in China, the most effective approach is to utilize a reputable VPN (Virtual Private Network).
However, it’s important to note that China also enforces restrictions on VPN usage, permitting only government-approved VPN services for residents and visitors within China. The exceptions to this rule are few and far between, making it a challenge to identify a VPN capable of consistently overcoming China’s stringent internet censorship.
Fortunately, leading VPN providers such as ExpressVPN have managed to bypass this censorship and successfully unblock the LINE app within China. To learn more about how this is accomplished, continue reading.
How to unblock LINE in China with a VPN?
VPN is a tool for protecting people’s internet traffic and keeping their identities private online. Your internet traffic will go through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see when you connect to a secure VPN server. This is my way to access LINE and I guess it’s probably the easiest way. Here are 3 steps to help you unblock LINE with a VPN in China.
Step 1: Choose the right VPN
The very first step for you is to find a VPN that can work in China. For this first step, a few things you need to be careful,
- Even though there are so many awesome VPN providers in the market, not all of them are working in China. Since the Great Firewall in China nowadays is getting stronger and stronger, it becomes increasingly hard for VPN providers to bypass the Great Firewall, which is why you need to do some research first to figure out the right one. I’m currently using ExpressVPN and it’s working fine for me.
- You need to make sure that the VPN apps and account have been ready before you visit China because once you’re in China, you won’t be able to download any VPN apps. If you’re thinking to download the file directly from the provider’s website, I can tell you now that’s also impossible since you won’t be able to access the website as well.
- It’s also important to purchase the most suitable plan for the VPN before going. I suggest you choose the yearly plan or even a year’s plan if it’s possible since you don’t want to get stuck just because you forget to renew your plan, right? Still, it really depends on how long you’re going to stay in China.
Step 2: Turn on your VPN
After you’ve signed up for a VPN account and purchased a plan, you’re free to use your VPN! There are 2 crucial settings you need to know.
Choose the right server
Normally, a VPN will provide users with 100+ servers from different countries. Because the network speed could be different by region, you need to test a bit to see which countries’ servers could give you the best network speed.
I usually will choose the US server when I’m in China and it seems like a stable one. Anyway, today we’re only talking about using LINE, not some heavy use cases like gaming, so I think we don’t need to worry too much about the speed.
Choose the right protocol
VPN protocols are sets of programs and processes that determine how that tunnel is actually formed. There will be a few protocol options for you to choose from in a VPN app. For example, in ExpressVPN, there are 7 protocols.
- Lightway: It’s a next-generation VPN protocol that provides the best in speed, security, and reliability.
- OpenVPN: It is a very popular and highly secure protocol used by many VPN providers.
- IPSec/IKEv2: It sets the foundation for a secure VPN connection by establishing an authenticated and encrypted connection.
- Wireguard: It is the newest and fastest tunneling protocol the entire VPN industry is talking about.
- SSTP: Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is a fairly secure and capable VPN protocol created by Microsoft.
- L2TP/IPSec: It’s simply a VPN tunneling protocol that creates a connection between you and a VPN server.
- PPTP: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) was created in 1999 and was the first widely available VPN protocol. It was first designed to tunnel dialup traffic!
I remember once I was suffering a terrible, terrible network environment in China and only this Lightway protocol of ExpressVPN was able to help me access the internet, so I was really impressed!
Step 3: Download LINE and enjoy it
Once you have access to the internet on your phone or PC, you’re connected to a VPN, which should enable you to log onto LINE without any problems. Well, It’s surely common to experience some interruptions with your connection, so I suggest you test out the best VPN servers for yourself.
If you’re still having trouble accessing LINE or other blocked websites, you should contact your VPN’s customer support team for further assistance.
Best VPN for unblocking LINE app in China
| Number of US server cities | 16 |
| Number of servers | 3,000+ |
| Server locations | 160 |
| Maximum devices supported | 5 |
In my opinion, ExpressVPN is the best all-around VPN for unblocking LINE in China because it offers the best of everything from speed and security to ease of use, compatibility, and customer service.
It’s particularly well suited for use in China as it has a whopping 3,000+ servers spread across 160 locations and 94 countries.
As well as getting reliable, above-average speeds (especially when you switch on its proprietary Lightway protocol), with smart selection wizards and 24/7 live chat assistance, that goes for anybody outside the country, too.
ExpressVPN will let you be able to download the app and register a LINE account when you’re in China (I know because I’ve tried). You’re secure too with Bitcoin payment, P2P support, industrial-level encryption, a kill switch, DNS protection, and a clear no-logging policy.
The only limitation of ExpressVPN is that its clients are limited to five simultaneous connections, which is fewer compared to other VPN services. However, if you don’t need to connect more than five devices, then ExpressVPN is a nearly perfect choice.
The Chinese version of LINE: WeChat
| Type: | For chatting |
| Supported devices: | iOS, Android, Windows |
| App store: | Apple App Store, Google Play Store |
| APK: | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tencent.mm |
| Website: | https://www.wechat.com/ |
| If it’s baned in India: | Banned |
WeChat (also known as Chinese LINE), in China, is not just changing people texting behavior, but also the way they access the internet. WeChat is often called “The Chinese Internet”, as almost anything you do on the web you can also do on WeChat.
The Mini-Programs help WeChat accomplish these, apps that live within the WeChat ecosystem. Besides chatting with your friends, you can use WeChat to call taxis, book hotels, do online shopping, play games, do money transactions, buy tickets, and even loan money, which is so crazy!
I would say you definitely need to know what are the most useful Chinese apps when you’re traveling in China.
List of apps banned in China
As someone from China working in Hong Kong, I’ve come across a wide range of websites and apps that are blocked back in China due to strict internet regulations. While this list is subject to change, I can share a comprehensive overview based on my knowledge.
This list serves as a general reference, but it is essential to note that the Chinese government frequently updates and adjusts its censorship measures.
Can learn more from this blog post List of Websites and Apps Blocked in China
The Reddit discussions center around the topic of how to use LINE in China
The Reddit discussions focus on issues related to the LINE app in China and alternative communication methods:
- LINE App Blockage in China: Users discuss the LINE app, particularly its iOS version, being blocked in China. The app reportedly attempts to connect to non-existent Chinese servers if used within the country.
- Getting LINE to Work in China: A thread from 2016 discusses ways to make LINE work in China, addressing whether users have a Chinese SIM card and suggesting potential issues related to the country code.
- LINE Chat App Blocked in Mainland China: Users share information that LINE chat app is blocked in Mainland China. The thread highlights the need for a VPN or proxy to use the app for chatting with family and friends.
- Accessing Google and Other Apps in China using VPN: A discussion suggests searching for VPN options to access Google services and other apps in China, acknowledging the challenges posed by the country’s internet restrictions.
- Using LINE as an Alternative to WeChat: In response to a user’s difficulty with WeChat, others recommend LINE as a viable alternative for communication in China. The conversation delves into various communication options, including the use of VPNs.
- Alternatives to WeChat for Communication: Users discuss alternatives to WeChat for communication in China. Recommendations include QQ, but concerns are raised due to its association with Tencent, similar to WeChat.
- Taiwanese Social Media App Preferences: In the r/taiwan subreddit, users discuss LINE as a popular messaging app in Taiwan, originating from Japan. Some users mention the use of Chinese social media apps, emphasizing preferences and usage patterns.
- Setting Up Network Nodes in China for VPN: A discussion in r/networking suggests setting up network nodes in mainland China and Hong Kong via Alibaba Cloud (Ali B) for VPN purposes, providing insights into overcoming China’s internet restrictions.
- Seeking Mobile App or Service for International Calls from China: A user seeks recommendations for a mobile application or service to make international calls from China. The thread explores potential solutions for international communication from within the country.
In summary, these Reddit discussions cover various aspects of communication apps, VPN usage, and challenges related to accessing certain services, especially in the context of China’s internet restrictions.
FAQ: about LINE app in China
Communicating online in China can be challenging due to the country’s strict Internet censorship, commonly referred to as the Great Firewall. Many popular websites and services like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp are blocked in China. To communicate online in China, consider using Chinese platforms like WeChat and QQ, which are widely used within the country.
Yes, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) while roaming in China is highly recommended. A VPN can help you bypass China’s Internet censorship and access websites and services that are otherwise blocked. This is particularly useful for staying connected to your preferred communication apps and accessing content from your home country.
Yes, LINE can work with a VPN. A VPN allows you to route your internet connection through a server in another location, bypassing geographical restrictions and censorship. By using a reputable VPN service, you can unblock LINE and access it in regions where it might be blocked, such as China.
Using American apps in China can be challenging due to the Great Firewall’s restrictions. Many American apps and services are blocked in China. However, with the use of a VPN, you can potentially access American apps and services by routing your connection through a server located outside of China.
If your VPN is not working with LINE, it could be due to several reasons. It’s possible that the VPN server you are using is blocked by LINE or that there are technical issues with the VPN connection. Try switching to a different VPN server or using a different VPN provider. Additionally, make sure you are using a reliable and reputable VPN service that is known for bypassing censorship.
