What Apps Are Blocked in China? (2026 List)

China's Great Firewall blocks most Western apps and sites on local networks. Here's the 2026 list of what does and doesn't work, plus how to use the blocked ones anyway.

Blocked in China (won't load on a local Chinese SIM or Wi-Fi)

Google, everything — Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive, Photos, Translate, Play Store (see does Google work in China?)
WhatsApp — messages and calls (see our WhatsApp in China guide)
Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Threads — Instagram and Facebook in detail
YouTube — what streaming in China actually looks like
X/Twitter, Reddit, Telegram, Signal, and Snapchat (your streaks keep counting)
Most Western news (NYT, BBC, Bloomberg and others)
Apps that quietly rely on Google in the background can also fail without an obvious error

Not blocked — just never offered

A few apps aren't on the block list at all, because China has its own version instead. The effect on your phone is identical, but the reason matters if you're wondering whether a workaround exists:

TikTok — the international app was never distributed in mainland China; ByteDance runs Douyin there instead. Your own TikTok account still works over a foreign network — see does TikTok work in China?
Most Western streaming (Netflix, Spotify, Hulu) — not licensed for the Chinese market, so there's no local sign-up even when the connection works.

Works fine in China

Apple services — iMessage, App Store, Apple Maps (mostly)
Microsoft — Outlook, Teams, Bing (usually)
The local apps you'll actually use — WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Baidu Maps, Amap
Most banking apps

How to use the blocked apps — easiest first

The firewall only filters China's domestic internet. Get your phone onto a foreign network and the blocked apps simply work.

A foreign travel eSIM (no VPN). It roams in China but routes data internationally, so Google, WhatsApp and the rest all work the moment you land. Easiest fix for a short trip.
A VPN on a local Chinese SIM. Cheaper data, but you must install and test the VPN before you fly, because VPN sites are blocked inside China. Bring a backup VPN too.
Download offline backups. Offline Google Maps areas, a translation pack, and your boarding passes and hotel details, in case connectivity gets patchy.

Two things people forget

Set up WeChat and Alipay before you arrive and link a card — they run behind the firewall and are essential for payments, taxis and food.
Agree how people will reach you. If you're not running a VPN, plan to use WeChat or iMessage instead of WhatsApp with friends and family.

Not sure a VPN is even worth it? Read do I need a VPN in China?

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The honest trade-offs

We'd rather you know this up front than be surprised on your trip.

Block lists shift. Apps get added or removed and rules tighten around big events and holidays — treat any list, including this one, as a snapshot, not a guarantee.
'Blocked' isn't always total. Some apps half-load or work intermittently, which is more confusing than a clean block.
Even apps that work over a roaming eSIM still need you to be logged in already. Do your account logins at home before you fly.

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Share it to your chats, or email it to yourself to read before you fly.

Frequently asked questions

What apps are blocked in China?

The Great Firewall blocks most of Google's services (Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive, Photos, Play Store), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Threads, YouTube, X/Twitter, Reddit, Snapchat, Telegram, Signal, and most Western news sites. Anything that quietly relies on Google in the background can also fail.

Is Google blocked in China?

Yes. Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Drive, Photos and the Play Store are all blocked on local Chinese networks. They work over a foreign roaming eSIM or a VPN.

What still works in China without a VPN?

Apple services (iMessage, App Store, Apple Maps), Microsoft (Outlook, Teams, Bing), most banking apps, and of course the local apps — WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Baidu Maps and Amap.

How do I use blocked apps in China?

The easiest way is a travel eSIM that roams in China: it routes your data internationally, so all the blocked apps work with no VPN. Alternatively, use a VPN on a local Chinese SIM, but install the VPN before you fly since VPN sites are blocked inside China.

Should I set up WeChat and Alipay before I go?

Yes. WeChat and Alipay are your lifeline for payments, taxis and ordering food in China, and they work behind the firewall. Install them and link a card before you arrive.

Skip the VPN — get a China eSIM that just works

Our China travel eSIM routes your data internationally, so Google, WhatsApp, Gmail and Maps work the moment you land — no VPN. Instant delivery, no roaming fees, bilingual support from a real NYC store since 2001.

See China eSIM plans →Is my phone compatible?

华人通

Written by SinoConnection (华人通)

A bilingual, China-focused travel-eSIM store in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, in business since 2001. We've helped thousands of travelers and overseas Chinese get online in China — no VPN, in English or 中文. Questions? support@sinoconnection.com.

Updated July 2026