Does Telegram Work in China in 2024

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.

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

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Best VPN for unblocking Telegram in China

In China’s tightly controlled digital environment, PrivadoVPN emerges as a key player for those seeking unrestricted internet access. My experience with its robust features—from bypassing the Great Firewall to ensuring top-notch security and speed—highlights its effectiveness. Here’s a snapshot of why PrivadoVPN is a game-changer for internet users in China.

Feature	My Experience with PrivadoVPN in China
Zero-Logs Policy	Absolute privacy is a must-have in China, and PrivadoVPN delivers. Knowing they don’t keep tabs on my browsing is peace of mind, especially with Switzerland’s top-tier privacy laws backing it up.
Global Network	Their network is a lifeline for bypassing China’s Great Firewall. Fast, secure, and reliable, it’s my go-to for unrestricted internet access here.
Streaming’s a Breeze	Even in China, PrivadoVPN cracks open access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. It’s my ticket to global content without hitting the censorship wall.
Speedy Gonzalez	The speeds I get with PrivadoVPN in China defy expectations. Streaming, downloading, or just browsing—there’s no lag, no buffering, just smooth internet.
Apps for Days	No matter the device, setting up PrivadoVPN has been hassle-free. Getting my entire network covered via my router was also a straightforward affair. It’s essential for comprehensive security in China.
P2P’s Best Friend	Sharing files peer-to-peer can be tricky in China, but PrivadoVPN keeps it smooth and speedy on both free and premium plans. The SOCKS5 Proxy is a game-changer for faster speeds.
Top-Notch Security	The level of security PrivadoVPN offers, with protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, means I can browse with confidence, knowing my data’s locked down tight from prying eyes.
Connect All The Things	Having up to 10 devices connected is a blessing, ensuring all my gadgets are safe. Even on the free plan, the one connection offered is invaluable here.
Help Around the Clock	Whenever I’ve hit a snag or had questions, even considering the time difference, PrivadoVPN’s support has been there, ready to assist. It’s like having an expert in your corner, anytime, anywhere.
Pay Your Way	In a place where financial privacy is paramount, the option to pay with crypto is a huge plus. But it’s great that traditional payment methods are still in play for convenience.
Try It, You’ll Like It	The 30-day money-back guarantee made trying PrivadoVPN in China a no-risk decision. It’s comforting to know there’s an out if it didn’t meet my needs, but spoiler alert: it did.

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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.

WeChat

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!

QQ

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.

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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:

1. Usage Issues: Users inquire about using Telegram in China and report issues even when attempting to use it without a VPN.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Comparison with Russia: Users find it interesting that Telegram is completely censored in China, while the Russian government faces challenges in implementing similar censorship.
5. VPN Usage with Telegram in China: Users share experiences, with some stating that Telegram works fine in China without a VPN, especially when using local SIM cards.
6. Blocked Signal in China: Mention of Signal being blocked in China raises concerns about the potential blocking of other privacy communication tools, like Telegram.
7. 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.
8. Potential Cooperation with Tencent: Discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of Telegram cooperating with Tencent, with users expressing concerns about Tencent’s privacy reputation.
9. 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/.
10. 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.

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FAQ: About Telegram in China