Updated on: October 8, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Access Gmail from China in 2024:
- Download and install a VPN. Only a handful of VPNs work in China. ExpressVPN works 100% of the time and is fast, secure, and easy to use.
- Enable the VPN’s obfuscation tool. You can usually find the option in the settings menu. Note that depending on the obfuscation tool, it may only be available on certain VPN protocols.
- Connect to a server outside of China. Then log into your Gmail account. You’re all set! You can now send and receive messages on Gmail in China.
If you use Gmail and you’re in China, you’ll find your inbox is unavailable. China bans Gmail, so whether you need it for work-related or personal reasons, you won’t be able to use it.
Fortunately, you can access Gmail in China by using a VPN and save yourself the headache of switching to a different email service provider. A VPN changes your IP address to one that matches your new server location — if you connect to a server that’s in a country that doesn’t ban Gmail, you’ll be able to use it from China.
However, not all VPNs are good for this purpose. China uses several different methods to block VPNs — this includes blocking VPN server IP addresses, using sophisticated traffic analysis methods to detect and block VPN traffic, and blocking popular VPN protocol ports (which prevents the VPN from establishing a connection via a certain protocol). And very few VPNs can avoid those types of blocks.
After extensive research, I found 3 VPNs that work consistently in China and would allow you to use Gmail there. My favorite of the bunch is ExpressVPN due to its fast speeds.
Using an unauthorized VPN is illegal in China. There are no reported cases of the government taking legal action against individuals for this reason — it’s only targeted Chinese citizens who set up and sell illegal VPNs. Nevertheless, I advise you to exercise caution when using a VPN in China and follow all rules and regulations in your location.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Access Gmail from China on Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that works in China.
ExpressVPN works in China 100% of the time thanks to its excellent obfuscation feature, and it’s really easy to use.
2. Download and install the VPN onto your device.
If you can, install the VPN app before you go to China. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the rest of the process. If you’re already in China, reach out to the VPN’s customer support for a mirrored link.
3. Connect to a VPN server, enable obfuscation, and start using Gmail.
Congratulations! You can now access your Gmail account in China.
Best VPNs for Accessing Gmail from China in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for accessing Gmail from China in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for accessing Gmail in China (obfuscation on all servers).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great obfuscation via Shadowsocks (or use TCP port 443).
- 🥉3. PrivateVPN — Beginner-friendly VPN with many server locations near China.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Accessing Gmail from China in 2024
ExpressVPN is my top pick for using Gmail in China (and the best VPN for restrictive countries). Its support representatives confirmed that it works in the country, and it has servers in nearby countries where Gmail is available, including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, which is great for getting the fastest possible speeds. That said, the provider recommends using the following locations for the best results: Pick for Me, USA – Los Angeles 5, UK – Wembley, Singapore – Marina Bay, and France – Alsace.
This VPN has excellent obfuscation, which disguises VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. This makes it harder for the Chinese government to detect and block your VPN connection. I really like how ExpressVPN supports obfuscation on all its servers, which are located in 105 countries. I also like how simple obfuscation is to use — you just need to select the Automatic protocol option. Alternatively, you also get obfuscation if you use the OpenVPN protocol, or the VPN’s proprietary protocol (Lightway).
ExpressVPN offers several plans that start at $4.99 / month. The price is definitely worth it, as this VPN provides the best value on the market. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Has Support for Shadowsocks & Can Use TCP Port 443
Private Internet Access (PIA) uses the Shadowsocks protocol for obfuscation. I think the provider is a great pick for accessing Gmail 24/7 in China since Shadowsocks is a very popular tool for getting around censorship in China. To use PIA’s obfuscation, you just need to select the OpenVPN protocol and then enable the Shadowsocks obfuscation feature (on desktop, this setting can be found in the Multi-Hop tab).
PIA has servers in 91 countries, but obfuscation is only supported on servers in 5+ countries — luckily, this includes a location in Japan, which is near China. Plus, I also like how the VPN lets you use the OpenVPN protocol over TCP port 443. This is useful for avoiding port blocks, as the Chinese government can’t block TCP port 443 because it’s the same port that’s used by HTTPS traffic.
Private Internet Access starts at a very affordable $2.03 / month, and it’s one of the cheapest VPNs on the market. All of its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. PrivateVPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN for Unblocking Gmail in China
PrivateVPN is good for using Gmail in China for people new to VPNs. Its app interfaces are very intuitive and easy to navigate — it only took me a few seconds to enable Stealth VPN, which its support reps confirmed works in China. You can easily find the Stealth VPN feature in the VPN app’s settings tab, both on desktop and mobile.
The provider has servers in 63 countries, including many locations near China — examples include India, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. So, you have plenty of nearby options to connect to in order to get fast speeds.
PrivateVPN’s plans start at just $2.00 / month, making it a great budget option for accessing Gmail in China. It backs all subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I relied on our proven testing methodology when I picked the VPNs on this list. Here’s a quick look at the exact criteria I used to rank all of the VPNs I recommend above:
- I only ranked VPNs that work in China 100% of the time. I made sure to only include VPN providers that can get around different types of VPN blocks in China. The VPNs on my list come with obfuscation, refresh their server IPs very fast, or let you use TCP port 443.
- I only picked VPNs with servers in nearby countries. All the VPNs I recommend in this article provide access to server locations that are near China. This helps you get the fastest speeds, as data travels much faster between your device and the VPN server.
- I only added secure VPNs to my list. All of my top picks come with essential security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to prevent traffic leaks, and a no-logs policy. They also have advanced security features, like RAM-only servers (every server reset wipes all data), full protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, or perfect forward secrecy, which ensures each VPN session uses a different encryption key.
- I only included user-friendly VPNs in this article. I made sure to only recommend VPN providers that have intuitive apps for all platforms. On average, it won’t take you more than a few seconds to connect to a server and start using Gmail with any of my top picks.
- I only picked VPNs that provide good value. Every VPN on my list has affordable plans and also backs each purchase with a generous money-back guarantee.
Why You Can’t Access Gmail in China (& Why You Need a VPN to Access It)
The Chinese government blocked Gmail (and other Google services) as part of its larger effort to control and monitor the internet within its borders. It shuts down any platform that refuses to block services and information that the government doesn’t want its citizens to access on the free and open web.
That’s why the only way to use Gmail in China is with a VPN. Once you connect to a VPN server in another country where Gmail isn’t banned, the VPN assigns you an IP address from that country and lets you use the service in China, and it encrypts your traffic so the government won’t be able to see what you’re doing online. Keep in mind that only a few top VPNs work well in China, as the government uses numerous methods to detect and block VPNs.
Tips for Using a VPN for Gmail in China
I strongly recommend signing up for a VPN and downloading it before you leave for China. If that’s not possible, there are plenty of methods you can try to get access to a VPN in China — we covered them in-depth here, but here’s a quick look if you’re in a hurry:
- Use a mirrored link. A mirrored link is an exact copy of a VPN provider’s site, but it’s hosted on a different web address (one that’s difficult for Chinese authorities to detect and block). You’ll normally have to email the VPN’s support team to know what mirrored link to use, or just ask an overseas friend to do it for you.
- Use a free proxy. A proxy is a web service that helps you get around internet restrictions by changing your IP address. You could try using a free proxy to get access to a VPN’s site.
- Try hotel Wi-Fi. There’s a chance some hotel Wi-Fi networks might use VPNs to provide a less restrictive internet experience to their guests — you might be lucky and be able to connect to a VPN provider’s website this way.
- Use your home country’s SIM card. If you still have your SIM card from back home, and you also have an international data plan, you can use the SIM card’s mobile data plan to access VPN sites. The only downside is that this method is expensive.
- Use an .apk file to install the VPN. These are files you can manually install on Android devices. Just make sure to only download and install .apk files from trusted sources (like a VPN provider’s email support) — don’t download them from third parties since they could be malicious.
- Get help from an overseas friend. If you have friends or relatives that live outside China, you could ask them to sign up for a VPN in your place, and use file-sharing platforms to send you the VPN app.
- Take a trip to Macau, Taiwan, or Hong Kong. Gmail is available in those locations, so you could take a short trip there to download and install a VPN (I recommend installing at least 2 VPNs, so that you have a backup if one fails).
What’s the Best Gmail Alternative in China?
Based on my research, it seems to be Outlook. I have seen many Reddit users say that Outlook works in China, and I have also seen university sites recommend that their students use Outlook when they’re in China. Plus, I came across several expat forums where users in China said they can use Outlook without issues.
So, if you don’t want to bother with using a VPN to access Gmail in China, the best alternative is to just use Outlook. Of course, this only works if you haven’t already left for China — this way, you can forward all your Gmail messages to Outlook, or just use Outlook to handle all bookings in China before you leave. If you’re already in China, you’ll only be able to use Outlook to message your Gmail contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gmail work in China?
No, Gmail doesn’t work in China because it’s blocked by the government. However, you can get around this restriction by using a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN is a tool that can make it seem as if you’re trying to access Gmail from outside of China, and a good VPN with obfuscation is able to evade the Chinese government’s VPN detection and blocking.
What is an alternative to Gmail in China?
People in China use email service providers like NetEase, QQ Mail, Sina Mail, and Sohu Mail. Outlook is also a really good alternative that isn’t blocked in China — you could forward your Gmail messages to Outlook, or just use Outlook to book everything in China before you leave on your trip.
If you’re visiting China and want to continue using Gmail for work-related or personal reasons, you can only do that by getting yourself a good VPN that works in the country. I recommend ExpressVPN because it works in China 100% of the time, provides the fastest speeds on the market, has strong privacy and security features, and has easy-to-use apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
Is it illegal to use a VPN in China to access Gmail?
The short answer is no. VPNs aren’t illegal to use in China, but the only VPNs that are legal in the country are government-approved VPNs. These VPN providers are required to abide by the government’s censorship policies and provide the government with a backdoor that makes them insecure. Most VPNs refuse to do that, so they’re technically illegal in China.
That said, I haven’t been able to find any reports where the government punished a citizen or a tourist in China for using a non-approved VPN so far. For now, the government only seems to go after Chinese citizens who create and sell unapproved VPNs. Still, I recommend being careful if you plan to use a VPN in China and following all local rules and regulations. I don’t endorse the use of a VPN for illegal purposes.
Are there any free VPNs that work with Gmail in China?
You may have some luck with a couple of free plans, but it’s highly unlikely. The Chinese government employs sophisticated technology to detect and block VPN traffic, and most free VPNs don’t have the necessary obfuscation tools to combat it. Free VPNs also come with various other limitations, such as weak privacy and security, slow speeds, and a lack of options when it comes to server locations. Honestly, it’s much easier and safer to get an affordable paid VPN that works in China.
