WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps. Users from all over the world use it to exchange messages and perform voice/video calls. Unfortunately, WhatsApp is blocked in some countries, depriving people of this highly convenient and free app.
Nonetheless, it is possible to unblock WhatsApp and use it to communicate with your loved ones no matter where you are located. All you need is a VPN service to accomplish this. In this guide, we will explain how to use VPN for WhatsApp.
You can also read our post on the best VPN services and learn how to acquire the online privacy and security you have always desired.
Best VPN for WhatsApp
Here are some of the best WhatsApp VPN services that have been tried and tested. Each one of them offers various optimized VoIP servers in the regions including the Middle East, South East Asia, Oceania, Europe and much more. These optimized VPN WhatsApp services provide a seamless calling experience along with timely message delivery from any corner of the world.
We recommend you unblock WhatsApp using one of the following WhatsApp VPN services for fast and reliable communication in blocked regions:
| VPN Providers | Price ($) | Special Deals | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Affordable VPN  | $10.95 $2.95 Per Month | 73% Off Exclusive Discount 1 year Plan | |
Best Budget Service  | $11.95 $1.99 Per Month | 83% Off 2 Years Deal | |
Best for Geo-Unblocking  | $11.95 $2.99 Per Month | 75% Off 3 Years Plan | |
Best for Streaming  | $12.95 $8.32 Per Month | 49% OFF No Exclusive Offer | |
Best for Private Browsing  | $12.99 $2.75 Per Month | 79% Off 3 Years Deal |
What is WhatsApp & Where is it Blocked?
WhatsApp prides itself on being the world’s top instant messaging app. With the release of the one-touch video calling option, the mainstream free messaging service instantly connects you with friends no matter where they are. WhatsApp is primarily popular among mobile savvy millennials’ due to voice & video call support, end-to-end encryption and much more.
With over 1 billion global subscribers and 800 million active monthly users, WhatsApp remains the first choice for online messaging & communication, since it’s free. But sadly, a growing number of countries have begun blocking WhatsApp as it assaults the interest of local telecom providers. Now, if you live in a region where WhatsApp is banned, then let us guide you on how to unblock WhatsApp with VPN and make unlimited calls.
List of Countries where WhatsApp is Blocked
China is not the only country where it is illegal to use WhatsApp. In fact, the list of countries that block WhatsApp has grown over the years. Mostly, censorship of WhatsApp is confined to certain Asian and African nations. Specifically, the app is blocked in the following countries:
- China
- Indonesia
- North Korea
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- Qatar
- Egypt (Learn about the best VPNs for Egypt here)
- Jordan
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia (Learn about the Saudi Arabia vpn here)
- Turkey
- Bangladesh
In some countries like UAE, WhatsApp can be used for messaging, but voice or video calls features are blocked. In other countries like China, the entire app is banned and users might not even be able to download the app on their Android or iOS devices. Thus, you will have to use a VPN to download WhatsApp in these countries.
First, you should download a VPN service on your mobile device. If you have an Android device you either download a WhatsApp VPN APK or through the PlayStore. Downloading and launching the VPN will enable you to bypass the restriction and communicate with friends and family through WhatsApp.
If you use other VoIP services like Viber, check out our article on the best VPN for VoIP services.
How to Unblock WhatsApp in China
China has a notorious history of blocking various web-based services in the past and WhatsApp finally made it to the list. With a Communist Party meeting just around the corner, China has ramped up its security measures and blocked WhatsApp in all entirety.
To unblock Whatsapp in China, see this guide.
Owned by Facebook, WhatsApp was the only app owned by the social media juggernaut that was functioning in mainland China. However, not all features were operational as the video call feature, sharing files and photos, and voice chat was already disabled.
The checkered history of China blocking various apps is no surprise, thanks to its ‘Great Firewall’. Therefore, if you are currently in that region and want to access the messaging service, your only option is to use a VPN for WhatsApp. By connecting to any server (for instance USA), you will be able to unblock WhatsApp in China.
Moreover, for a detailed guide on using VPN systems for calling apps, consult the best VPN for calling
Why has China blocked WhatsApp?
The primary reason for blocking WhatsApp throughout the country is because of a Communist Party gathering. Held once every five years, the Communist Party’s Congress comes together and select a party leader to run the country. Therefore, amidst this political event, the government has tightened its security measure and blocked WhatsApp.
Given WhatsApp’s popularity, visitors in China will be the most affected. With Facebook, Instagram, all of Google services inaccessible in the country, you are left with Chines alternatives or using a VPN. WeChat is the closest alternative to WhatsApp, but it openly states that it complies with the government to hand over user information.
So, we would suggest that using a VPN is a far safer option. By connecting to a server outside of China, you can access WhatsApp and all other blocked services. However, do keep in mind that some VPN providers reported disruptions in their services of late. Therefore, select a VPN service that offers a free trial or has a money back guarantee.
How to Unblock WhatsApp in China Using Best WhatsApp VPN
A WhatsApp VPN is the best tool to jump digital fences and access any blocked service in China. Here is how to unblock WhatsApp in China using a VPN:
- Select a VPN service from the table above
- Choose a pricing plan and sign up for the service
- Download and install the VPN app on your device
- Launch the VPN and select any service outside China
- Check your IP address, in case there are no leakages
- Now launch WhatsApp and send messages to anyone from China
Indonesia Restricts WhatsApp Following the Presidential Election Riots
In an attempt to maintain law and order in the country, Indonesia has resorted to restricting the world’s most popular social media and calling app WhatsApp.
Since yesterday reports have surfaced of Indonesian residents having difficulties sending and receiving multimedia messages on WhatsApp.
According to various sources, the recent restrictions on WhatsApp come as Indonesia’s desperate attempt to dowse down political tensions following the alleged unfair results of the 2019 presidential election.
Soon after the defeated candidate, Prabowo Subianto announced a statement of challenging the unfair results in the constitutional court, riots erupted in the country’s capital Jakarta, which took the life of at least six people and left around 200 people injured.
Amidst the chaos, false propaganda about the nature of the riots started to flood social media, which only added fuel to the fire. [Source]
In an official press conference, Wiranto, Indonesia’s minister for legal, political, and security affairs stated that the government is restricting access to various social media apps and even disabling certain features in order to restore peace in the country. [Source]
The communications minister of Indonesia Rudiantara also addressed the issue and stated that users will experience lag while sharing videos and photos through WhatsApp.
Despite the recent social media frenzy, TechCrunch has confirmed that Indonesian residents are able to bypass the recently imposed restrictions with the help of VPNs. [Source]
Although law and order situation is under control as of now, there’s no telling when the restrictions imposed on WhatsApp will be lifted.
Best VPN for WhatsApp -Unblock the World’s Most Popular Messenger
How to Unblock WhatsApp in any Country
Unblocking WhatsApp in any country is a fairly simple matter. All you need is to subscribe to one of the VPN services listed above. Follow the steps below for clarity:
- Download a VPN from PlayStore (for Android) or App Store (for iPhone)
- Launch the VPN service on your phone and choose a location where WhatsApp is unblocked (preferably, any European location)
- Now open your WhatsApp service and gain access to all features within the app
If you are also interested in using Skype in blocked countries, you can read our page on the best VPN for Skype.
WhatsApp Not Working With VPN
In some cases, you might experience problems getting access to WhatsApp in a blocked country through a VPN service. This could happen for a number of reasons. Below we discuss the most common reasons why WhatsApp may not be working for you with a VPN.
- ISP blocking VPN servers: Your ISP might have blocked certain IP addresses associated with some VPN servers. This can prevent you from accessing any website or service at all, not only WhatsApp. To solve this problem, you should contact the customer support of your VPN provider. They can help you identify the servers that are open to access, so you can use WhatsApp through these servers.
- Ports blocked by ISP: Some ISPs block online traffic moving through certain ports that your WhatsApp might be using. Again, you can contact your VPN provider’s customer support and ask them to route your WhatsApp traffic through a different port.
- DNS leaking: Finally, a DNS leak can allow your ISP to identify your destination and thus prevent you from accessing WhatsApp. We recommend using one of the VPN services listed above, as these provide strong DNS leak protection. With these VPN services, it is unlikely that you will have difficulty connecting to WhatsApp.
Why Use a VPN for WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has become a core need for everyone these days. No one can find any better communication means other than Whats App service. Since it is a free service, people use it as their basic communication app also at the public places. However, one must use a VPN for Wifi whether it is a shopping plaza, hotel, restaurant, coffee shop or any public Wifi.
In addition, due to its free services, WhatsApp is banned in some countries and surprisingly the United Kingdom is debating over a ban too. The UK’s Snoopers Charter requires companies to make their app less secure, requiring them to hand over the decryption keys to authorities. This makes WhatsApp unsafe for Britons as the company won’t need warrants to hand over user meta-data to authorities.
On the other hand, if you swear in a text message in Dubai, you will end up with paying a penalty of $70 or possible deportation if you are a migrant or traveling to the region. The UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) has started to look forward to banning WhatsApp VoIP calls even before its release. The two largest telecom providers “DU” and “Etisalat” were ordered to block WhatsApp’s voice calling feature. The ban left users with no other option but to use over-priced package plans offered by local telecom providers.
Thanks to VPN WhatsApp, as you can now overcome the restrictions since an optimized WhatsApp VPN empowers you to make calls anonymously from anywhere where the service is banned. Expats from various countries living in UAE can freely use WhatsApp over VPN and make international calls for free without worrying about incurring wallet breaking charges and receiving penalties.
Whatsapp down (or blocked?!) on @VodafoneUK? Suddenly couldn't connect for hours until I turned my VPN on, then connects instantly. Weird.
— Nate Lanxon (@NateLanxon) June 13, 2016
The best VPN WhatsApp services for WhatsApp listed above provide state-of-the-art VoIP servers which offer uninterrupted and seamless voice calls to & from UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, India, China and other parts of the world.
WhatsApp VPN Android
Having over 1 billion downloads directly from the Google Play Store, WhatsApp has 800+ active monthly users on Android OS. With end-to-end encryption, users find WhatsApp as a secure solution for HD voice calling and instant messaging. However, restrictions on the use of WhatsApp calls in KSA and UAE has left fans with no other option except to use a VPN for WhatsApp calls. View the list of 5 best Android VPN and choose the best out of best
That said, here’s how to use a VPN WhatsApp on your Android devices:
- Make an account on VPN provider’s website (Best WhatsApp VPN services mentioned above)
- Now, access Settings from the main menu of your device
- Scroll to More Connection Settings and tap on it
- From More Connection Settings, hit VPN
- A window will appear to Edit VPN Network, enter the details as provided by VPN provider and click Save
- Next, the freshly created VPN connection will be visible in the list
- Tap on the newly established connection to connect
- A window will appear, asking you to enter VPN username and password. Enter the required login details as provided by VPN provider and tap on Connect
- Wait a few moments till VPN connects. Upon successful connection, enjoy making hours of HD voice calls and send instant messages to your friends & family members from anywhere
VPN WhatsApp iPhone
Having over one billion active monthly users, the iPhone is a hallmark of entertainment, communication, and sophistication around the globe. To instantly get connected to your friends and family members, WhatsApp offers group chats, encrypted communication, free plans, always logged in and Web client for iOS users. However, like Android, similar restrictions on WhatsApp VoIP calls apply to iOS users as well in KSA, UAE, and some other nations.
Here’s how to use VPN for WhatsApp calling on your iOS device:
- Access Settings of your iOS device
- Now, go to General and tap on VPN
- Tap on Add VPN Configuration
- Next, a window will appear to add a configuration. Select PPTP from the top bar and enter login details (server, username, and password) in the fields below as provided by your VPN provider.
- Save the entered login details
- Next, you will be able to see the newly configured VPN connection in the list
- Tap on the lastly made VPN connection to begin
- Once connected successfully, you will be notified and able to make unrestricted high-quality voice calls through WhatsApp from anywhere in the world.
Free VPN For WhatsApp
A VPN is evaluated by its performance, speed, servers, protocols and unblocking ability. Despite tons of premium WhatsApp VPN providers, there’s some free VPN for WhatsApp available that gives you decent uploading/downloading speed, adequate tunneling protocols, and some server locations.
You can try one of the following free VPN for WhatsApp, but not to forget that a free VPN in no manner should be compared with full-featured premium services regarding performance, speed, stability, reliability, anonymity, and security.
Here’s the list of best free VPN for China to unlock WhatsApp which you can use to test the blocked features of WhatsApp in your region:
- Betternet
- Hotspot Shield
- TunnelBear
- CyberGhost
How to Unblock WhatsApp in Turkey
The Turkish government has recently put a ban on various social networks, instant messengers & VoIP services. That said, the ban has been imposed after the arrest of different leaders from opposition political party.
As a result, users from all around Turkey are unable to access Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp & Youtube. But, there’s good news for Turkish users as a VPN has proven to bypass the imposed restrictions on these services, thus allowing users to access WhatsApp safely from within Turkey.
We suggest users choose from one of the best WhatsApp VPN services mentioned in this guide due to their range of servers spread in various countries. They will allow you to instantly unblock WhatsApp, make conversations with friends and family members safely. Also, these VPN services will help users to unblock Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook in Turkey.
WhatsApp Video Calling Feature Rolled Out
The fans favorite instant messaging service “WhatsApp” has eventually released the most awaited feature “Video Calling” for Android users.
With the latest beta version of WhatsApp, subscribers can make video calls to friends, family members and anyone who has the recent beta version of WhatsApp. However, the latest beta update is only available to some users as per WhatsApp’s decision. But we will show you how to get WhatsApp with video calling feature on your Android phone.
How to Enable WhatsApp Video Calling?
Here’s how to download WhatsApp beta version and enable video calling option:
- Make a backup of your WhatsApp conversations
- Go to Google Playstore from your phone
- Search for Aptoide
- Download and install Aptoide on your phone
- Launch Aptoide and search for WhatsApp
- Now, hit “update” WhatsApp
- Upon successful update, close all running applications including WhatsApp on your device
Now that you have WhatsApp with video calling feature ready on your phone, you need to tap on call icon at contact and select video call. In this way, you will be able to enjoy hours of unlimited video calling through WhatsApp.
VPN for High-Speed WhatsApp Calling
So why choose a VPN for WhatsApp calls? When you place a call through WhatsApp, data traffic is passed through local ISP servers. ISPs monitor and detect all your online activities. If they discover you using WhatsApp while it is banned then your internet access is ultimately blocked, especially in Middle Eastern countries.
To evade the restrictions, a VPN WhatsApp hides your IP address replacing it with one from one of its servers (where WhatsApp is available). This allows you to bypass the restrictions by using a foreign IP address and location. However, server distance from the destination matters, for high-speed and uninterrupted calling we recommend you to connect to a server near to the destination you’re calling. It ensures maximum stability, reliability, and quality of service.
Another valuable aspect of VPN WhatsApp is its high-end security. As a matter of fact, a VPN for WhatsApp calling offers a robust mix of encryption & tunneling protocols which passes your entire network traffic through a secure encrypted tunnel while encrypting all your activity including calls. With an extra layer of security, you enjoy hours of WhatsApp calls and uncensored chats without the fear of getting blocked or even getting noticed.
it was mostly about the gov't blocking WhatsApp, and people using VPN services to circumvent the rulings.
— Geoff Sullivan (@sullivg2) May 26, 2016
Not to forget different encryption protocols serve different purposes. While OpenVPN protocol offers robust data protection, the OpenVPN (UDP) provides more speed and is preferred for WhatsApp. However, if you face frequent disconnections, then OpenVPN (TCP) is a suitable option as all the data passes through an error checking phase.
Besides all an ideal protocol for highest grade data protection is L2TP/IPSec. It offers 256-bit encryption and ensures the protection of your voice calls. You can use one of the ranked VPN WhatsApp services from our table to achieve true anonymity and secrecy of conversations. After using a VPN for WhatsApp calling you will be able to achieve a superior quality calling experience with no interruptions.
WhatsApp Blocked on Wi-Fi
Have you ever tried to use WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or other social network apps in college, office or public Wi-Fi networks?
If yes, then chances are you may not have been able to access them at all. There are various security measures implemented on public WI-FI hotspots to restrict WhatsApp access. Access rights are granted by administrators and a majority of social networking sites, on-demand entertainment services, and blog spots are banned.
In case you have WhatsApp blocked on public networks like colleges and restaurants then the safest solution available for you is to use Whatsapp VPN. A VPN over WhatsApp will not only unblock WhatsApp for you, but it will allow you to access instantly almost any geo-blocked social service including Twitter, Youtube, Snapchat, Line, Facebook Messenger and more over any Wi-Fi network.
We are well informed that the Govt might block Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp. We advise you to bypass the shut down via VPN #SitukaMay5
— FDC (@FDCOfficial1) May 4, 2016
Here’s how to access WhatsApp on public Wi-Fi through simple steps:
- Choose a VPN provider (best WhatsApp VPN services listed above)
- Signup to chosen service on provider’s website, Select a desired VPN package plan
- Next, download the VPN software on your device
- Upon successful download, open the VPN app, enter your login credentials and connect to a foreign VPN server. For e.g. USA, UK, Germany, Netherlands, etc.
- Once connected you will be able to immediately access WhatsApp and other social networks without further restrictions on public Wi-Fi networks
WhatsApp Not Working With VPN
Some users have reported on social media about WhatsApp not working with VPN. If you’re among one of them, then don’t worry. We will show how to fix the issue.
If you’re facing a similar problem while using WhatsApp with a VPN, then this must be due to a DNS leak. Your VPN may not be protecting your connection and ISP would be able to detect your WhatsApp usage. To get around with the problem, you need to use a dedicated IP VPN, which provides top-notch protection against DNS leaks, hackers, intruders, snooper, and other cyber goons.
Final Words
While users from various countries have been using WhatsApp without restrictions, foreign residents and expats in the Middle East (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar & Saudi Arabia) and a handful of other regions can use VPN WhatsApp to enjoy hours of unlimited free calls and access thousands of blocked websites.
WhatsApp VPN providers listed above with exclusive editorial reviews in our guide offer stable speed, reliable security, 24/7/365 customer support and wallet-friendly plans for a top-notch online experience. Use one of the specified VPN for WhatsApp calling on your Android and iOS devices from college, office and other public networks.
Thank you, good tips on how to unblock whatsApp in Turkey! I agree that vpn is the most reliable way to unblock sites. Safe and private.