What's blocked in Bahrain
Apps work, but independent and opposition news sites are blocked.
- WhatsApp: Works
- Voice & video calls: Works
- Telegram: Works
- Signal: Works
- Discord: Works
- Facebook: Works
- Instagram: Works
- X (Twitter): Works
- TikTok: Works
- YouTube: Works
- Google: Works
- Works
- Age-gated
- Partly blocked
- Slowed down
- Blocked
App by app
None of the 41 apps we track is blocked or restricted in Bahrain right now.
Not offered in Bahrain
These companies don't sell their service here. That's a business or sanctions decision, not government censorship.
Working normally
Social media
Games
The 3 VPNs that fit Bahrain
Our assessment, plus what visitors in Bahrain are reporting this week.
Picked for heavy censorship: each can disguise VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
NordVPN
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Surfshark
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Proton VPN, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost
Proton VPN
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Private Internet Access
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CyberGhost
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
What's going on
Bahrain blocks most opposition and independent Bahraini news sites and some Qatari media. Major social apps and calls work normally.
Before you connect: Mostly useful for blocked news and privacy.
Is a VPN legal in Bahrain?
Legal
VPN use is not banned.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Are any apps blocked in Bahrain?
None of the 41 apps we track is fully blocked in Bahrain right now. Apps work, but independent and opposition news sites are blocked.
Which streaming and online services are not available in Bahrain?
HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and JioHotstar are not offered in Bahrain. That is the companies' decision, often because of licensing or sanctions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Bahrain?
Legal. VPN use is not banned.
Which VPN works in Bahrain?
Our picks for Bahrain are ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark. Check the live votes on this page for this week's results.
Will a VPN work during an internet shutdown in Bahrain?
No. A VPN can get around blocks on specific apps and sites, but during a full shutdown there is no connection to the outside world for the VPN to use.
Report a block
Seeing something different in Bahrain? An editor reviews every report before the page changes.