How to Access Google in China in 2021 (& All Google Services)
Is it possible to access Google in China in 2021? Even though Google has been blocked in China since early 2011, I still remain a regular user of all Google services, so I can tell you from experience that it’s entirely possible…as long as you’re prepared. Here’s a quick explanation of what you need to know and how to prepare yourself.
Let’s start with one simple question that needs to be answer: Is Google blocked in China?
And the answer is simple: yes, it is.
When it comes to being censored within China, though, Google is in good company. There are many other blocked websites and apps in China such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, not to mention the “western media” that has been heavily censored.
What sets Google apart is that it’s not just one simple service; the block encompasses ALL things Google in China. This includes stuff that most of us use on a daily basis such as Gmail, Google Docs, Google Maps, YouTube and more.
Yes…all of it is blocked.
So what are your options? Thankfully, not all hope is lost. Here are three simple steps to get you connected to Google in China.
Note: This article contains affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I will be compensated if you use some of these services I recommend. The good news is that in many cases, such as this link to ExpressVPN, I’ve negotiated special deals to get you 3 months of free service.
Step 1: Access the Internet in China
It sounds simple enough to access the internet in China, right?
But you might find it more difficult than you first imagined. The most common ways to access the internet in China are:
Via Wi-Fi: In larger cities in China, you’ll find Wifi access everywhere but as you get further inland this becomes harder and harder to find. Relying on Wifi for all your internet access may not be ideal, especially since a lot of Wifi requires the ability to receive a text PIN (thus needing a working phone number in China). If this is your preferred method of connecting, you’ll want to read this guide on how to find WiFi in International Roaming: If you’re traveling to China for a short period of time, you can work with your network carrier at home to arrange international roaming. What this usually means is that you’ll be given a certain amount of data and/or minutes to use while you’re in China and is usually billed to you on a per day basis. Beware: it can be a China SIM card: Although a bit time consuming, it’s not difficult for a foreigner to get a local SIM card to access the internet via any unlocked phone. You’ll need your passport to register the number but monthly service can be unbelievably cheap. In some major airports (Beijing, Shanghai) you’ll find kiosks where you can purchase a China SIM card. Otherwise, you’ll have to go to a China Telecom, China Unicom or China Mobile store to a Rented China Phone: Of course, if you want to eliminate all the hassle of the above options, you can also consider renting a phone in China. There are services that will mail you a phone to your home that will work the moment you land in China. You can rent cheap Android phones or nicer Apple iPhones.
It’s important to understand that accessing the internet in China is just the first challenge you face.
Even if you’ve chosen international roaming, once you arrive in China, many of your favorite apps will still be blocked including -as we’ve already discussed- everything Google-related.
Step 2: Connect to a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Ideally, you will setup a VPN prior to arrival in China, since it’s a huge pain to do so once you’ve arrived. Take note of that as you read on and consider getting a VPN on your phone or computer right now. A subscription to one VPN will give you access to Google in China on both a laptop and phone/tablet.
If you’ve never heard of a VPN, you can think of it like a tunnel through a wall (for a more detailed description, see What is a VPN? ).
Even when China has censored everything, a VPN will tunnel through and give you access to Google services like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search and allow you to watch YouTube in China. There’s no need to dive into the specifics of how it works, just know that a VPN is used by pretty much every expat who lives in China, including me.
This is what usually happens when you’re setting up a VPN for your phone:
You purchase a VPN service on your computer (5 min)Download the VPN app on your phone (3 min)Sign into the App and use the app to install server connections (5 min)Click “Connect” and you’re done!
Set aside about half an hour to get this all put together and you’ll be good to go.
One more thing: I highly recommend you download at least two VPN services as a backup in case one doesn’t work. China sometimes blocks certain IP addresses, which can cause major connection issues no matter which VPN you use.
I recommend one of the following VPNs:
ExpressVPN (recommended for China)
One of the most popular VPNs on the market that has one of the best for China. I use this every day. Best of all, they have a 30 day money-back guarantee in case it doesn’t work well for you.
NordVPN (Best App Design)
Again, NordVPN is another VPN that has an easy-to-use mobile app and a 30 day money-back guarantee. I use these VPNs equally and have active subscriptions to both whenever I am in China.
Surfshark VPN (Best Value for China)
Although not nearly as established as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Surfshark has made a name for itself as a reliable option in China that also happens to offer some of the lowest monthly rates for users.
Step 3: Log on to Google in China!
One you have access to the internet on your phone and a reliable VPN installed and running, you should be able to log onto Google’s homepage and use Google in China, including all services on your computer or phone without any problems!
It’s perfectly fine to keep your VPN connection running at all times while you’re traveling around China (that’s what I do personally).
Because a VPN does slow down your connection slightly, though, I know some people who prefer to only connect when they need it.
There are times in China when you will need to disconnect and then reconnect to another VPN server, but that doesn’t happen very often to me. I’ve been able to stay connected via Gmail in China for the past decade and use Google search pretty much on a daily basis.
Only on rare occasions has my access to Google in China been cut (and that’s why I keep more than one active VPN subscription).
Final Thoughts | Using Google in China
It’s quite possible to use Google in China – and I hope you have a chance to do so! Whether you’re a daily Gmail user, you love to watch YouTube videos, or you need to have access to Google Maps so you don’t get lost, access to Google is often invaluable.
The two important things to remember are 1) making sure you will have reliable access to the internet in China and 2) using a VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN to unblock all the Google services.
Keep in mind that this method is the same way I use to access Instagram in China as well as watch all my favorite Netflix shows in China. As you might guess, a VPN is an expat’s best friend in China!
How To Access Google in China | VyprVPN
Why is a VPN Needed to Access Google in China? China has strict censorship policies, so accessing Google in China can be difficult. With a VPN, users in China can circumvent the Great Firewall of China to escape Internet censorship and access the Internet freely. To access Google in China, follow these 5 steps:Sign up for a VPN service. VyprVPN offers a variety of different VPN protocols, including proprietary Chameleon technology that defeats VPN the instructions for downloading your VPN and launch the application on your preferred device(s) in with your which server to connect to. VyprVPN lets you choose from over 70 server locations around the world, so you can select a location free of the Internet or your apps as you usually do, and enjoy an unrestricted, free and open Internet experience.
How Does a VPN Work? A VPN, or virtual private network, works by encrypting your Internet connection to keep your communications, data, location and other information private while online in China. A VPN service can exchange your personal IP address with a VPN server’s IP address. With VyprVPN, you can choose to connect to one of 70+ server locations worldwide, so your true IP address is not revealed. Encryption technology, such as the OpenVPN 256-bit protocol used in VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol, is employed to secure all data and communications sent over the connection. This means you can escape blocks imposed by the Great Firewall and avoid censorship while using a VPN in China. A VPN also secures your connection, so you don’t need to worry about snoops or the government violating your privacy or surveilling you.
How To Unblock Google in ChinaWhen in China, it can be difficult to access your favorite Google apps such as Gmail, Google Drive and Google Search. VyprVPN makes it easy to bypass location-based IP blocking to access Google in China. Choose one of VyprVPN’s server locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa or Oceania and experience the Internet without restrictions. With a VPN, you can escape the Great Firewall of China and access a free and open Internet and all your Google products.
Google advises China users to use VPNs and proxies – Security
Google has urged customers of its online applications in China to consider “networking configuration and associated technologies” to ensure ongoing access in the announcement follows the company’s decision earlier this week to stop its censorship of search services on its Chinese domain and reroute all Chinese-simplified language searches from to its Hong Kong site. “First, we very much hope that the Chinese government respects our decision, though we are well aware that China could at any time block access to our services in mainland China, ” Google said in a blog posting yesterday. “We will be carefully monitoring access issues, and we have created this new web page [Mainland China service availability] which we will update regularly each day so that you can see which Google services are available in China. “In the meantime, the web giant urged users to investigate network configurations, such as a virtual private network connection, secure shell tunnelling or a proxy server. “Companies should consult their own technical, legal and policy personnel to find a solution that works best for them, ” Google company also reassured its customers that no data or Google Apps services are hosted in China, and that Google employees working from mainland China do not have access to such systems or ‘s decision to stop censoring its Chinese search services followed the discovery in January of sophisticated cyber attacks against its systems which were apparently traced back to China.