Slowed down Updated 14 Oct 2026 About 5 minutes
How to unblock Voice & video calls in Iran
If Voice & video calls won't work in Iran, you're not alone: it is deliberately slowed down. Here's how to get it back with ExpressVPN, one step at a time.
Short answer
Use ExpressVPN with automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic) on, connect to Germany, then open Voice & video calls.
We picked ExpressVPN for Iran because it can disguise VPN traffic with automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).
Why Voice & video calls doesn't work in Iran
Voice & video calls is deliberately slowed down in Iran.
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
-
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.
-
Install and sign in
Install ExpressVPN on the phone or computer where you use Voice & video calls, then sign in.
-
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.
-
Connect to a nearby server
Connect to a server in Germany, Netherlands or Switzerland. Voice & video calls works normally in these countries, and nearby servers are faster.
-
Make a test call
Start a short call with the VPN connected. If audio cuts out, switch the VPN to a TCP-based protocol and try again: call traffic is the easiest kind for networks to spot.
-
Leave the VPN on
Keep ExpressVPN connected while you use Voice & video calls. If you disconnect, the block applies again.
Tip: Keep the VPN on for the whole call. Turning it off mid-call usually drops the call.
Try ExpressVPNIf it still doesn't work
- Try a different server country: Germany, Netherlands or Switzerland.
- Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection.
- If Voice & video calls loads but crawls, the VPN is connecting but being spotted. Switch on automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).
- 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 NordVPNProton VPN Unreliable
Open Settings, then Protocol, and choose Stealth. Also switch on Alternative routing so the app can reach Proton even if its usual servers are blocked.
Try Proton VPNWhat people in Iran are reporting
Not enough reports yet for ExpressVPN in Iran this fortnight.
Questions people ask
Does Voice & video calls work in Iran without a VPN?
Sometimes, but very slowly. Voice & video calls is deliberately throttled in Iran, so it may load but barely work.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Voice & video calls 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 Voice & video calls 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 Voice & video calls still not work with the VPN on?
Try a different server country: Germany, Netherlands or Switzerland. Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection. If Voice & video calls loads but crawls, the VPN is connecting but being spotted. Switch on automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick