Connectivity 7 min read2026-03-13

What Apps and Websites Are Blocked in China? Complete List (March 2026)

Q: Can I still receive regular SMS in China?

Yes. Your home carrier SIM still receives SMS. The firewall only affects internet traffic.

Q: Will my banking apps work?

Most banking apps work, but they may be slow. Download updates before travel and enable SMS-based 2FA as backup.

Q: Is the firewall the same everywhere in China?

Yes in mainland China. But Hong Kong and Macau are NOT behind the firewall — everything works normally there.

Full updated list of apps and websites blocked in China in 2026. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and 300,000+ more. Plus how to access them.

Smartphone showing blocked app icons behind China Great Firewall

The Great Firewall: What China Blocks (and Why)

China operates the world's most sophisticated internet censorship system, known as the Great Firewall. It blocks access to thousands of foreign websites and apps, replacing them with Chinese alternatives.

As a traveler, this means your phone essentially stops working the moment you connect to Chinese internet — unless you're prepared.

Blocked Apps and Websites (Updated March 2026)

🔴 Completely Blocked

Search Engines:

•Google (all services: Search, Maps, Gmail, Drive, Docs, Photos, Translate)

•DuckDuckGo

•Bing (intermittently)

Social Media:

•Instagram

•Facebook

•Twitter / X

•Reddit

•Pinterest

•Snapchat

•TikTok (international version — Douyin works)

Messaging:

•WhatsApp

•Telegram

•Signal

•Facebook Messenger

•Line

•Discord

Video & Streaming:

•YouTube

•Netflix

•Spotify

•Twitch

•SoundCloud

•Vimeo

News:

•New York Times

•BBC

•Bloomberg

•Wall Street Journal

•The Guardian

•Reuters (sometimes)

AI Tools:

•ChatGPT / OpenAI

•Claude / Anthropic

•Google Gemini

•Perplexity

Other:

•Dropbox

•OneDrive (intermittent)

•Notion (intermittent)

•Medium

•WordPress.com

•GitHub (intermittent)

🟢 Not Blocked (Works Fine)

•Apple services — iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, App Store

•Microsoft — Outlook, Teams, Office 365

•LinkedIn

•Amazon

•Booking.com, Agoda

•Uber (but use Didi instead)

•Banking apps (most work, may be slow)

•Airline apps

•WeChat (obviously)

•Alipay

🟡 Partially Blocked / Intermittent

•Wikipedia — English version mostly accessible, other languages vary

•Yahoo — Search blocked, Mail works

•Bing — Works sometimes

•Skype — Voice calls work, features limited

How to Access Blocked Apps in China

You have two options:

Option 1: eSIM with Firewall Bypass (Recommended)

An eSIM that routes traffic outside China effectively bypasses the Great Firewall for all mobile data. This is the simplest solution — install before you fly, and everything just works.

Option 2: VPN

A VPN encrypts your traffic and routes it through servers outside China. Works on both mobile data and Wi-Fi, but can be slower and less reliable.

Chinese Alternatives You Should Know

Instead of fighting the Firewall, consider using Chinese apps:

Blocked App	Chinese Alternative
Google Maps	Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps
Google Search	Baidu or Bing
WhatsApp	WeChat (微信)
Uber	Didi (滴滴)
YouTube	Bilibili (B站) or Youku
Instagram	Xiaohongshu (小红书)
Twitter	Weibo (微博)
Amazon	Taobao / JD.com
Spotify	NetEase Music (网易云音乐)

WeChat is essential. Even if you keep using WhatsApp via VPN, download WeChat. It's China's super-app — messaging, payments, mini-programs, food delivery, everything.

Tips for Staying Connected

1.Download offline content before arriving — Google Maps offline areas, Spotify playlists, Netflix shows

2.Save important info locally — Hotel addresses (in Chinese!), emergency contacts, flight details

3.Set up your eSIM before boarding — Get one here

4.Tell friends/family you'll be on WeChat — share your WeChat ID before you leave

FAQ

Can I still receive regular SMS in China?

Yes. Your home carrier SIM still receives SMS (useful for 2FA codes). The firewall only affects internet traffic.

Will my banking apps work?

Most banking apps work, but they may be slow. Download any updates before you travel. Enable SMS-based 2FA as a backup.

Is the firewall the same everywhere in China?

Yes, including Hong Kong... wait, no. Hong Kong and Macau are NOT behind the firewall. Everything works normally there.

Get Prepared Before You Fly

•Get your eSIM — bypass the firewall instantly

•Set up Alipay — go cashless

•Book trains on Trip.com — travel between cities