Tinder China Blocked
How to Access Tinder in China (and What Alternatives Exist)
We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you buy through links on our siteFor the past few years, Tinder has been blocked in China. However, using Tinder in China might not be so difficult as you think! In this article, we give a simple explanation of what you need to unblock Tinder in China, what a VPN is, and what are the best VPNs for accessing any apps blocked in China. Finally, we explain what type of people you can find on Tinder and what alternatives exist in China for do you need to access Tinder in China? What is a VPN and what is it used for in China? What VPN should I used to unblock Tinder in China? Who uses Tinder in China? Alternatives to Tinder in ChinaFrequently asked questionsWhat do you need to access Tinder in China? 1. Internet access: It’s obvious that to access Tinder, you will first need to be connected to the Internet. However, is it difficult to access the Internet in China? As opposed to what some people might think, accessing the Internet in China is relatively Wi-Fi networks: The majority of public places, including restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, and airports, have free Wi-Fi networks available for their customers. In small cities, it can be a bit more difficult to find places with free Internet, but you can still find it in places like hotels. A SIM card with data: If you want to use Tinder in China, the most convenient thing might be to have mobile data access, and unless you want to spend a lot of money on roaming, the best idea is to buy a Chinese SIM card. Getting a prepaid Chinese SIM card is cheap and relatively simple. All you have to do is take your passport to an official store of one of the country’s main operators (there aren’t big differences between them). Normally they will ask you to choose a telephone number from those available and a monthly data plan. For the majority of people, approximately 200 Yuan should be enough for a SIM card, a decent data plan, and a bit of credit in case you need to make a call. 2. A system to get around Internet restrictions: Tinder and many of the most popular apps in the West are blocked in China. Nonetheless, there are numerous ways of getting around the restrictions of the Great Firewall of China and using blocked apps without restrictions. Today, the most efficient system for accessing apps blocked in China is by using a Virtual Private Network or is a VPN and what is it used for in China? A VPN is a system that encrypts your connection to the Internet and redirects it through a server located in another place. This increases the security of your connection (third parties can’t view your activities online) and hides your IP address (the origin of your connection can’t be seen) is an especially useful system in China, as restriction systems will not be able to know what you are looking at on the Internet, and websites and applications won’t know the origin of your connection (they will only see the IP of a server located outside of China). This way, you can browse the Internet and use apps without any type of VPN should I used to unblock Tinder in China? Not all VPNs work in China, and choosing the right one is very important to avoid headaches with the stability and reliability of your our experience, for the majority of users, we recommend ExpressVPN, as it’s a VPN that’s easy to use on any type of device, and has been one of the most reliable VPNs in China for a long time both in terms of its speed and event, we recommend that you take a look at this article, which is updated monthly, where we analyze the best VPNs for uses Tinder in China? Because you need a VPN to use Tinder in China, it’s obvious that this has an effect on the type of profiles that you can meet on Tinder, which has its advantages and types of people use Tinder in China? Below, I give a general list of the typical profiles that you can find on Tinder:Ex-pats working in ChinaForeign studentsForeigners traveling to China for business or tourismChinese people that have worked or studied abroadChinese people that work at companies with international connectionsChinese people that have a particular interest in meeting foreignersThe big advantage of these types of profiles is that the majority of people will be capable of speaking English, and it will likely be easy to find profiles with interests and customs similar to yours, making conversation topics and the first contact a lot easier. The big disadvantage is obvious: the options are limited due to the relatively low number of people using a VPN in China, and especially Chinese you want to increase your chances of meeting interesting profiles among local people, in the following section, you can find some alternatives to ternatives to Tinder in ChinaIn China, there exist multiple dating apps that are equivalent to Tinder that even some foreigners use. Below are the details of some of the most popular ones:Momo 陌陌: This is probably the most popular dating app in China, but it has a bit of a bad reputation. The company has tried to improve its reputation by turning it into a sort of social network that makes it a bit complicated to use for beginners. It’s without a doubt the app used by most 探探: This app has an interface that is almost identical to that of Tinder, and is very popular in China. For regular Tinder users, it will be easy to use this app, especially because it has an English Chifan 请吃饭: This literally means “invite out to eat. ” It’s a very popular app where people can offer to invite you to eat at a place or a specific type of food. Later, people can sign up for the offer (the person making the invitation selects who they want to invite in the end) Liu 遛遛: This is a dating app for animal lovers. This app is intended for people who have pets and want to meet people with the same passion. The app doesn’t just give importance to the person’s profile but also the pet’s 微信: Wechat is much more than a dating app, as it is the most used messaging app in China and has options that you can use to meet people. The “People nearby” option will show you people nearby you with the option activated and who are therefore willing to chat (you can filter by gender). For more information on this app, you can read our complete guide on equently asked questionsDoes Tinder work in China? Tinder is blocked in China. Therefore, the easiest way to access Tinder from China is to set up and use a reliable and fast are the best alternatives to Tinder in China? As far as we know, these are the best Chinese dating apps: Momo (陌陌), Tantan (探探), Qing Chifan (请吃饭) and Liu Liu (遛遛). Note that these apps are mainly used by Chinese people, even though you can also find some foreigners on uses Tinder in China? In China, Tinder is mainly used by expats, foreign students, tourists and Chinese people that have either studied abroad and/or are interested in meeting do I access Tinder from China? The best way to access Tinder from China is to install a VPN on your smartphone. Although this can also be done from China, it’s much easier to install the VPN before you enter the country, as many VPN websites are blocked in China. [Photo Credits (Creative Commons CC0):]
Love is NOT in the air! 15 dating apps among 43 banned Chinese apps
As cross-border tensions between India and China continue to simmer, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) on Tuesday imposed a ban on 43 more Chinese mobile apps. Interestingly, 15 out of the 43 banned apps are Chinese dating apps. The 15 dating apps that were banned include – We Date, Singol, TrulyChinese, TrulyAsian, ChinaLove, DateMyAge, AsianDate, FlirtWish, Guys Only Dating, Rela, Soul, Chinese Social, Date in Asia, First Love Live and Adore App. Other popular apps that have been featured on the list are the e-commerce apps AliExpress, Alibaba Workbench and Snack Video – a short video sharing app which had been gaining popularity after the ban of TikTok in June. The government said that it is blocking these 43 apps from being accessed by Indian users under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. “This action was taken based on the inputs regarding these apps for engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of state and public order, ” said a government press release. MEITY has stated that it has issued the order for blocking these apps based on the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs. “Government is committed to protect the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that, ” said the press release. Since the Galwan Valley incident in June, this is the third list of apps that MEITY has banned. So far, a total of 267 apps have been banned by the government. Before on June 29, 2020, MEITY had banned 59 Chinese mobile apps and on September 2, 2020, 118 more apps were banned under section 69A of the Information Technology Act. Also Read: Ali Express, AliPay, CamCard among 43 Chinese apps banned Also Read: Micromax In Note 1 sale live on Flipkart; check out price, specs
List of Websites and Apps Blocked in China for 2021
What websites are blocked in China in 2021 (October Update) This is a question that gets asked a lot, particularly among people who are planning to travel or move to China. It helps knowing what to expect, which is why I’d like to give you a comprehensive (and constantly updated) list of blocked websites in China.
Starting in the late 1990s, China began monitoring and censoring the internet within its borders. That first decade of internet censorship flew mostly under the radar.
Everything changed in 2009.
For a number of different reasons, and due to a number of different incidents, the Chinese government began to feel threatened by the free access to information for its citizens, particularly with western social media platforms.
–> I used to have a Blogspot blog in China.
–> Email was sent freely through Gmail in China.
–> I even read the Wall Street Journal in China.
In order to do any of these things, I am now forced to use a VPN (in my experience, ExpressVPN has been consistently reliable in China as has NordVPN).
So as you plan your travels, your move or a business trip to China, it’s good to have an understanding of the blocked websites in China as well as the blocked apps in China.
List of Blocked WebsitesProductivitySocial MediaStreamingNews MediaSearch EnginesMessaging AppsBlogging PlatformsVoiP Calling
Miscellaneous Blocked Websites & AppsWhat is NOT Blocked in ChinaHow to Evade the Blocking Censorship
Below, I’d like to walk you through the list, followed by my personal tips from having survived and done business in China all these years.
Note: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use the services listed. I only recommend what I personally use and hope this free information has been useful!
List of Blocked Websites and Apps in China 2021
In this list of blocked websites in China, you’ll see that I’ve categorized each based on the type of website or app.
Hopefully this will make it easier to scan and understand.
If you plan to do business, you need to understand which of your most used productivity tools are blocked in China.
GmailDropboxGoogle Apps (Drive, Docs, Calendar, Maps etc. )Microsoft OneDriveSlackGoogle Play (i. e. no downloading Android apps)Hootsuite
Most of the major English-language social media sites have been blocked in China and new ones are added to the list each year.
FacebookInstagramTwitterSnapchatPinterestQuoraTumblrRedditAO3
Whether you want to stream content or upload videos to YouTube in China, you’ll find these streaming sites inaccessible.
YouTubeDailyMotionVimeoTwitchPeriscopePandoraSpotifySoundcloud
At this point, most western-based news media has been blocked. I will only name a few of the biggest players here.
New York TimesBBCFinancial TimesWall Street JournalReutersCNNTIME
Whether searching via text or voice, you’re going to have trouble with these search engines in China.
Google (text and voice)Amazon (Alexa)WikipediaDuckDuckGo
*Note* – You can use Bing in China, but the results within China are censored.
Skype (although it sometimes works, it’s not reliable)Google HangoutsViber
*In my experience, iMessage has worked fairly well, but it’s not as reliable as using WeChat for VoiP.
Porn websitesVPN websitesPolitically sensitive sites
As you see above, I’ve lumped together porn websites, VPN websites, and any politically sensitive websites (i. websites for Tibetan, Uyghur, Falun Gong or human rights organizations).
I don’t feel like it’s necessary to list them all. These sites have been and will remain blocked in China.
Important Note about VPNsThe fact that VPN websites are blocked is why I usually recommend travelers and expats download a VPN before you enter China.
It’s much, much harder once you’re inside the country, although it is possible to install a VPN within China.
I recommend both ExpressVPN and NordVPN as highly reliable and effective VPN solutions to China’s censorship.
I’ve used both for many years.
What ISN’T Blocked in China in 2021
There’s a lot of confusion and mis-information when it comes to censorship in China.
Which websites and apps aren’t blocked in China?
Part of this has to do with the fluid nature of China’s internet (this list is always changing, which is why it’s updated every month).
Another reason for the confusion, though, is that some websites (including Wikipedia) continue to share outdated or outright wrong information.
Here’s a quick list of the websites and apps that AREN’T blocked in China – even though you might be told otherwise.
Netflix/Hulu/Disney+: Technically, streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ are not blocked by China. The websites are accessible, but since the content hasn’t been licensed in China, you’ll still run into a “Sorry, our service hasn’t come to this country yet” message. This is something known as geoblocking content and there are ways to still stream Netflix in nking: Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about not being able to log into your bank account online. To date, no western banks have had their websites blocked in essage & FaceTime: Despite a tenuous relationship with China, Apple has been able to maintain and open iMessage platform for all its iPhone users. In theory, this is more secure than using WeChat, but who knows for sure.
How to Access Blocked Websites in China
If you’re not already aware, there are ways to access websites and apps that are blocked in China. It’s a technology known as a Virtual Private Network, or “VPN” for short.
Pretty much any expat who has lived in China for more than 6 months uses a VPN on a daily basis. I’ve used them for almost 10 years.
In short, a VPN works by encrypting your connection to a server in another country (such as the United States). When you access the internet, you see it as if you were in that country that doesn’t have censorship, as opposed to China.
They’re easy to use and contrary to what you might think, they’re not technically illegal for foreign expats or travelers to use.
Using a VPN to Bypass Censorship in China
Using a VPN in China is thankfully very simple. We’ll take ExpressVPN as an example, since that’s the one I have used for many years and recommend.
I simply open the app on my phone, tablet or computer and click the big power button. When it turns green, I have access to all of the blocked websites and apps listed above.
ExpressVPN screenshots for mobile (left) and desktop (right)
I know I’ve already said it, but I’d like to stress the importance of setting up your VPN before you enter China.
Most VPN websites are blocked in China since the government doesn’t want it’s own citizens to use a VPN. That makes it hard for us as expats or travelers to download and install a VPN from within the country.
Personally, since my business relies on open access to the internet, I have subscriptions to multiple VPNs including ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
You might be surprised that there are literally hundreds of VPN services to choose from, but only a handful of VPNs work well in China.
If accessing your email or staying in touch with family is important to you while in China, I recommend spending a few dollars on a VPN service.
Trust me…
…it’s worth it.
Many VPNs still work in China despite what you might have read, and it has the added benefit of encrypting and securing your data.
Final Thoughts | Blocked Websites in China
There’s no indication that China will cease their censorship of the internet any time soon. In fact, all signs point to the fact that this list of blocked websites in China will continue to grow as I update it each month.
New websites and apps will get axed by China’s Ministry of Information as they become popular (that’s basically what happened to Twitch).
By using a VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, you’ll get access to all the productivity apps, social media, news, and streaming sites that you’re used to using.
Frequently Asked Questions about tinder china blocked
Are dating apps banned in China?
The 15 dating apps that were banned include – We Date, Singol, TrulyChinese, TrulyAsian, ChinaLove, DateMyAge, AsianDate, FlirtWish, Guys Only Dating, Rela, Soul, Chinese Social, Date in Asia, First Love Live and Adore App. … So far, a total of 267 apps have been banned by the government.Nov 24, 2020
What sites are blocked in China?
List of Blocked Websites and Apps in China 2021Gmail.Dropbox.Google Apps (Drive, Docs, Calendar, Maps etc.)Microsoft OneDrive.Slack.Google Play (i.e. no downloading Android apps)Hootsuite.Oct 1, 2021
Is Tantan blocked in China?
Tantan, a popular Tinder-like dating app in China, has been suspended from multiple app stores in the country amid an ongoing government effort to clean up content in cyberspace. … Tantan, however, is still available for download on Apple’s online App Store in China.Apr 29, 2019
