Blocked Updated 14 Oct 2026 About 5 minutes
How to unblock Gmail in China
China has blocked Gmail since 2010. A VPN sends your connection through another country so the block no longer applies. This guide uses ExpressVPN.
Short answer
Use ExpressVPN with its protocol set to Automatic, connect to Japan, then open Gmail.
We picked ExpressVPN for China because it can disguise VPN traffic with automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic).
Why Gmail doesn't work in China
Gmail has been blocked in China since 2010. Follows the Google block.
Google, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, Telegram, Signal and Discord are all blocked by the Great Firewall.
Is a VPN legal in China? Legal with restrictions. Only government-approved VPNs are legal. Enforcement against individual tourists is rare, but VPN traffic is actively detected and slowed, especially around political anniversaries.
Step by step with ExpressVPN
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Get the VPN before you need it
Sign up for ExpressVPN and download the app while you still have an open connection, ideally before you arrive in China. VPN websites and app-store listings are often blocked there.
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Install and sign in
Install ExpressVPN on the phone or computer where you use Gmail, then sign in.
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Switch on its stealth mode
Open Settings, then Protocol, and keep it on Automatic. ExpressVPN obfuscates every server, and Automatic lets it switch protocols when one gets blocked.
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Connect to a nearby server
Connect to a server in Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. Gmail works normally in these countries, and nearby servers are faster.
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Open Gmail and sign in
Sign in after the VPN connects. Google may ask you to confirm it's you because the login comes from a new country; approve it on a device you trust.
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Leave the VPN on
Keep ExpressVPN connected while you use Gmail. If you disconnect, the block applies again.
Tip: Set up a backup code or passkey before you travel, in case Google asks for extra verification.
Try ExpressVPNIf it still doesn't work
- Try a different server country: Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.
- Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection.
- Update the VPN app. Providers update their stealth protocols when blocks change.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some networks block far more than others.
Or try another VPN
NordVPN Unreliable
Open Settings, go to Connection, then VPN protocol, and choose NordWhisper. If your device doesn't offer NordWhisper, choose OpenVPN (TCP) and connect to a server under Specialty servers, then Obfuscated servers.
Try NordVPNSurfshark Unreliable
Open Settings, then VPN settings, and switch on NoBorders mode. If connections still drop, set the protocol to OpenVPN (TCP), which adds Surfshark's Camouflage obfuscation.
Try SurfsharkWhat people in China are reporting
Not enough reports yet for ExpressVPN in China this fortnight.
Questions people ask
Does Gmail work in China without a VPN?
No. Gmail is blocked in China, so it won't load without a VPN or proxy.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Gmail in China?
Legal with restrictions. Only government-approved VPNs are legal. Enforcement against individual tourists is rare, but VPN traffic is actively detected and slowed, especially around political anniversaries. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Gmail in China?
Usually not. Most free VPNs have no way to disguise their traffic, so China's filters spot them quickly, and many free apps sell browsing data. Proton VPN's free plan is a safe free option, but its free servers are limited and busy.
Why does Gmail still not work with the VPN on?
Try a different server country: Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection. Update the VPN app. Providers update their stealth protocols when blocks change.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick