Is Telegram banned in China? Yes! Telegram is banned in China. Just like many other banned apps, Telegram is not banned for cybersecurity reasons. This messaging app and its website were censored in 2015 after a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on its servers in the Asia Pacific.
- Step 1: Choose the right VPN
- Step 2: Turn on your VPN
- Step 3: Download Telegram and enjoy it
- Best VPN for unblocking Telegram in China
- Can a Chinese phone number be used for Telegram?
- Can WhatsApp be used in China?
- What messaging apps work in China?
- The Reddit discussions center around the topic of how to use Telegram in China
- FAQ: About Telegram in China
Is there any way to unblock Telegram in China? Yes, you can use telegram by connecting VPN.
If you’ve never heard of a VPN, you can think of it as a tunnel through a wall. Even when China has censored everything, a VPN will tunnel through and give you access to sites like Telegram, Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram in China. It’s used by pretty much any expats who live in China.
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 Telegram and I guess it’s probably the easiest way.
Here are 3 steps to help you unblock Telegram 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.
- 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 app. 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 of 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.
- 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.
Step 3: Download Telegram 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 Telegram 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 Telegram or other blocked websites, you should contact your VPN’s customer support team for further assistance.
Telegram for Android – APK Download
Telegram for iOS – APK Download
Best VPN for unblocking Telegram in China
I’m recommending NordVPN for anyone in China looking for a fast, secure, and reliable VPN. With a solid overall score of 8.8/10, NordVPN makes sure your internet experience is smooth even with online restrictions.
NordVPN’s performance is impressive, you can stream, work, and browse with little to no slowdowns. Using advanced protocols like NordLynx (based on WireGuard), NordVPN keeps your connection fast and secure.
What sets NordVPN apart is its huge network of over 7,200 servers in 118 countries. This makes it easy to unblock websites and streaming services, which is especially important for users in China who need to bypass restrictions.
The best part? NordVPN offers affordable pricing, starting at just $4 per month (or $60 for the first year). Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free.
(NordVPN 1 year deal with 58% off for $5.00/mo
Here’s a quick look at why NordVPN is a great choice:
| Key Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.8/10 |
| Introductory Pricing | $4 per month / $60 for the first year |
| Average Speed Loss | Only 3% drop in download speeds (2025 tests) |
| Global Servers | 7,200+ servers |
| Countries Covered | 118 countries |
| Jurisdiction | Panama |
| Advanced Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, NordWhisper |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
If you want a fast and private VPN with easy access to global content, NordVPN is a great choice. Start using it today for a better, safer online experience and don’t miss NordVPN 1 year deal with 58% off for $5.00/mo
Can a Chinese phone number be used for Telegram?
Unfortunately, I believe that China Mobile and all other wireless carriers in China block the numbers that Telegram uses to send activation codes and make phone calls. Even if you manage to activate it, you may face difficulties connecting to Telegram’s servers unless you use a VPN.
Can WhatsApp be used in China?
WhatsApp is currently blocked in China. The Chinese government censors the internet and blocks access to many popular foreign websites and apps, including WhatsApp. In recent years, the Chinese government has increased its efforts to control and monitor internet usage within the country, which has resulted in further restrictions on access to foreign websites and apps. As a result, it is difficult to use WhatsApp in China without the use of a virtual private network (VPN).
What messaging apps work in China?
Unfortunately, nowadays only Chinese messaging apps work in China while other major international messaging apps are banned, including WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook, Line, etc.
The following messaging apps are currently working in China.
| Type: | Messaging app |
| 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 |
Being the Telegram alternative in China, WeChat 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 this, 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!
| Type: | Messaging app |
| Supported devices: | iOS, Android, Windows |
| App store: | Apple App Store, Google Play Store |
| APK: | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tencent.mobileqq |
| Website: | https://im.qq.com/mobileqq |
| If it’s baned in India: | Banned |
Before WeChat was born, QQ was the one dominating the Chinese market. QQ probably is the very first mega chatting app in China, setting the Guinness world record for having the largest number of users online at the same time.
It’s safe to say that the development of both web and mobile web in China is shaped by QQ.
QQ was born in 1999 and developed by the famous Chinese tech giant, Tencent. At launch, although QQ was a simple instant messenger and a blatant copy of an Israeli app called ICQ, it’s gaining popularity at unexpected speed, hitting 1 million users in its first year and 50 million users in its second year.
In 2008, QQ had already possessed 856 million total users with a record of 45.3 million simultaneous online users.
Nowadays, under the domination of WeChat, QQ still has some 850 million active monthly users. Somehow, it feels like QQ is getting back gradually by focusing more on the Generation Z segments.
The Reddit discussions center around the topic of how to use Telegram in China
The Reddit discussions on using Telegram in China cover various aspects:
- Usage Issues: Users inquire about using Telegram in China and report issues even when attempting to use it without a VPN.
- Alternative Messaging Apps: Recommendations for alternative messaging apps are discussed, including Zoom and Telegram. iMessage and FaceTime for Apple users, along with VPN suggestions for others, are also mentioned.
- Telegram Status in China: The post acknowledges that the Chinese government blocked Telegram several years ago. However, some users report successful usage, especially when visiting places like Shenzhen.
- Comparison with Russia: Users find it interesting that Telegram is completely censored in China, while the Russian government faces challenges in implementing similar censorship.
- Blocked Signal in China: Mention of Signal being blocked in China raises concerns about the potential blocking of other privacy communication tools, like Telegram.
- Accessing Telegram Without Restrictions: Users inquire about accessing Telegram without restrictions while visiting China, and responses indicate the possibility with potential challenges in creating new accounts.
- Potential Cooperation with Tencent: Discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of Telegram cooperating with Tencent, with users expressing concerns about Tencent’s privacy reputation.
- Overcoming Telegram Ban: Users seek solutions for using Telegram after recently moving to a location where it is banned. Suggestions include using proxies like https://mtproto.co/.
- Multilingual Telegram Text: Users discuss receiving Telegram messages in multiple languages, with responses indicating that Telegram messages appear based on the local language setting of the app.
FAQ: About Telegram in China
No, it’s not. According to the information from Wikipedia, Telegram is registered as an American LLC. Telegram Messenger states that its end goal is not to bring profit, but it is not structured as a non-profit organization.
No, Messenger is not available in China, just like other international apps. Both Facebook and Messenger are blocked in China, but you can easily access them by using a VPN that works in China.
Yes, this popular encrypted messaging app Signal is blocked in mainland China, the latest foreign social media service now ceases working in a country where the government tightly controls the flow of information.
