While PlayStation was once prohibited in China, the country has now lifted the ban and permits the use of the consoles. However, not all PlayStation games are allowed to be played in China even now.
If you’re using the Chinese version of PS5 that has been region locked or restricted, you can try the following steps:
- Create a new user account on your PS5, and set the region to a country where the PS5 has already been released and is not region-locked, such as the United States.
- Log in to your new user account and access the PlayStation Store.
- Search for the game or content that you want to access on the Chinese version of the PlayStation Store.
- Purchase or download the game or content as you normally would.
- Switch back to your original user account that is tied to your Chinese PSN account.
- Access your PSN library, and the game or content you purchased should now be available to play.
How to create an international PSN account?
To purchase PlayStation games, you must use a payment method that matches the country of your new PSN account. For instance, if your account is registered in the US, you’ll need a US payment method. You can also buy digital gift cards from the Amazon store of that particular region and use them to make purchases on the PlayStation Store.
In fact, all PlayStation accounts are region-locked, and you can’t change your region on your PS5 or PS4 unless you create a new account. But that’s not a problem if you use VPN with your PlayStation.
Also, it’s important to note that it’s not advisable to create a PayPal or Amazon account with a fake address from that country. This violates their terms and conditions and can result in a permanent ban on your PayPal or Amazon account. It can also make purchasing complicated due to sales tax.
Follow this guide to start creating an international PSN account:
- Download a VPN.
- Connect to a server where your PSN account is set up. For example, choose a US server if you’re using a US account or a Japan server for a Japanese account.
- Buy a PSN gift card. Visit the PlayStation gift cards website > Click “Buy Now” under the gift card you want to purchase > Choose Amazon.
- Click “Add to Cart” and then “Proceed to Checkout”. You will need to sign in to an Amazon account for this.
- Enter your payment details. Complete the purchase by paying with any suitable method.
- Log in to your PlayStation. Use the PSN account you just created and open the PlayStation Store app.
- Select “Redeem Code”. Enter the 12-digit code from the gift card > Select “Continue”.
- You can now purchase games and apps from the deposited funds.
Do I need to use VPN?
It depends on the specific situation and the reason why the Chinese version of your PS5 is blocked. If the Chinese version of your PS5 is blocked due to regional restrictions, using a VPN to connect to a server in a different region where the PS5 is not restricted may help you bypass the restriction and access the content you want.
However, if the issue is related to hardware or software restrictions that are specific to the Chinese version of the PS5, using a VPN may not help. In some cases, attempting to use a VPN to bypass restrictions on a gaming console could also be against the terms of service of the console and may result in consequences such as a ban or account suspension.
Best VPN for unblocking PS5 in China
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Is China PS5 region-locked?
Recently, Sony enforced a region lock on the digital versions of their games, which made them unavailable in certain parts of the world. While physical copies of games were playable worldwide, online games were not. This resulted in a majority of games being banned in China due to both public and governmental laws. Sony claimed that the region lock was in compliance with the laws of each country.
A game’s acceptability depends on its content and portrayal, which can vary by country. What is considered suitable in the United States may not be suitable in other countries, leading to bans.
Consequently, people in China were unable to access the same games available in the United States. As a result, some individuals would travel to the US to buy games and then return to China to copy and sell them for a profit.
FAQ: About PlayStation 5 in China
PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥4,299 yuan (¥3,899 yuan before)
PS5 Digital Edition – ¥3,499 yuan (¥3,099 yuan before)
The officially licensed Chinese PS5s are also available, with electronics retailers such as Sundan and the online store JD possessing stock.