Blocked Updated 14 Oct 2026 About 5 minutes
How to unblock Threads in Iran
Getting Threads working in Iran takes about five minutes. You need a VPN that can get past the block, and we use ExpressVPN below.
Short answer
Use ExpressVPN with automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic) on, connect to Germany, then open Threads.
We picked ExpressVPN for Iran because it can disguise VPN traffic with automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).
Why Threads doesn't work in Iran
Threads has been blocked in Iran since 2022. Follows the Instagram block.
International internet returned on 26 May 2026 after an 88-day blackout, but Instagram, X, YouTube, Telegram, Facebook and Signal remain blocked.
Is a VPN legal in Iran? Legal with restrictions. Only licensed VPNs are legal, yet unlicensed VPN use is near-universal. During full shutdowns no VPN can help because there is no international connection to tunnel through.
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 Iran. 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 Threads, 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 Germany, Netherlands or Switzerland. Threads works normally in these countries, and nearby servers are faster.
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Open Threads and refresh your feed
If the app still says it can't connect, force-close it and open it again, or clear its cache.
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Leave the VPN on
Keep ExpressVPN connected while you use Threads. If you disconnect, the block applies again.
Tip: Use the app rather than the website if the site keeps redirecting to a block page.
Try ExpressVPNIf it still doesn't work
- 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.
- Try a different server country: Germany, Netherlands or Switzerland.
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 Iran are reporting
Not enough reports yet for ExpressVPN in Iran this fortnight.
Questions people ask
Does Threads work in Iran without a VPN?
No. Threads is blocked in Iran, so it won't load without a VPN or proxy.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Threads in Iran?
Legal with restrictions. Only licensed VPNs are legal, yet unlicensed VPN use is near-universal. During full shutdowns no VPN can help because there is no international connection to tunnel through. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Threads in Iran?
Usually not. Most free VPNs have no way to disguise their traffic, so Iran'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 Threads still not work with the VPN on?
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.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick