How to Access Google From China Using A VPN (Safe In 2023)
Can you access Google from China? China is one of the countries across the globe that are popularly known for their heavy censorship and immense restrictions on the internet. In the name of national security, the Chinese authorities have restricted many services, including Google and its services in China.
This means that if you are in China, the popular search engine Google and other services of Google will not be available. This is termed as the geographical restriction put on the service. These geographical bans do not allow certain services, in this case, Google, to function in that particular area.
However, if you wish to get past this geographical ban and get access to the wider, uninterrupted internet, you will find many alternative pathways, but since this action must be hidden from surveillance, it is important that your actions are safe, secure and anonymous.
The best way of accessing Google from China is to make use of a VPN. A VPN keeps your online activities completely hidden as it creates a privacy tunnel through which you activities are channeled. In addition, it makes it look like you are outside China and gives you access to Google even when you really are in China.
We strongly recommend that you make use of a good VPN service like ExpressVPN.
Quick Guide: How to access Google in China?
- The first, and most crucial step is subscribing to a VPN like ExpressVPN.
- Download the VPN app and set up your VPN account.
- On your VPN app, connect to a VPN server in a country where Google runs freely, for example, in the US.
- Open Google or any of its services on the internet and get access to the uncensored and uninterrupted wider internet even if you are located in China.
Is Google available in China?
Google, which is a popular service in many countries all around the globe, and its other services, is not available in all countries, as it is banned in many countries including China.
It is common for services like Google, its services, any streaming service, gaming service, etc. to be banned in a country like China which likes to dictate what the people of the country get access to and keep an eye on the activities of the people.
This is the reason for Google and its services are unavailable in China, because the Chinese government has banned the service and has its own Chinese alternatives to be used by people there instead of using Google.
Why is Google inaccessible to people in China?
As Google is not available in China due to it being banned by the Chinese government, it is inaccessible to people whose physical location is anywhere in China.
The Chinese government does not allow people to use Google and has its own Chinese alternatives for Google service which are to be used by people present in China no matter if it’s about residents of China or people who are visitors, etc.
The surveillance system checks if the device trying to access the Google service is present in China or outside China and based on this access is decided.
In case the surveillance system finds out that the device is located in China then it immediately blocks access because the service does not function there due to it being banned by the government of the country.
For this, the IP address of the device helps the surveillance system to trace the physical location of the device in use because each device’s IP address is assigned to it according to its location.
Therefore Google is inaccessible to people present in China.
Is it possible to access Google from China?
As Google is inaccessible to people with physical location in China, the possible way to get access to the service is to have a fake IP address for your device of a country where the service is available and thus accessible.
This can be best done by using a VPN on your device. All you have to do is employ a VPN on your device and get it connected to a server in any out of many countries where the service is available.
Doing so would give your device an IP address of that country to whose server the VPN is connected. And in this way the surveillance system would consider your location to be of a country where the service is available for using and you would be allowed to use it from wherever you are located.
Along with this, a VPN also ensures that your original location is not known because it hides the original IP address of the device.
Hence, you can get access to Google service from China or anywhere around the globe by using a good VPN.
Detailed steps to access Google from China using a VPN
You can simply follow the steps given below to use a VPN to get uninterrupted and uncensored access to the internet through the popular search engine Google even if you are located in China:
Step 1: First, since you need a VPN, start off by signing up for a strong and reliable VPN service. We strongly recommend that you use ExpressVPN(get 49% discount + 3 months free).
Step 2: Next you are required to download the app of your selected VPN and install it on your device.
Step 3: All top-notch VPNs require a subscription. So, select a VPN plan you find most suitable and proceed by paying.
Step 4: After you have successfully made the payment and registered on your chosen VPN, sign in to the VPN app by inputting the same credentials using which you have registered for your VPN.
Step 5: On your VPN app, connect to an appropriate VPN server in a country where Google runs free, for example in the US.
Step 6: Once you are connected to a suitable VPN server in a suitable country, proceed to access the search engine Google. You will notice that you encounter no restrictions imposed by the authorities on access to the internet.
Step 7: Once you have access to Google, you will have complete access to the Internet as it is available in countries outside China. You can enjoy the internet uncensored.
Important tip: to make sure that the Chinese authorities do not trace you down and take legal action on you, it is important that you make use of a strong and reliable VPN service. In accordance with our research, we strongly recommend ExpressVPN for guaranteed anonymity.
Which Google services are blocked in China?
All Google services are blocked in China. Some of the most popular Google services that people like to access using a VPN in China are:
- Search
- Gmail
- Translate
- Drive
- Youtube
- Play Store
- News
- Maps
Alternatives to Google in China
China has its own search engine named Baidu which is an alternative to Google. Popular Western search engines such as Yahoo or Bing can be used in China without too much hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Google quit China?
Initially, the Chinese government had partially banned Google and its services in their mainland. Gradually the ban had increased its ambit. Later, when Google faced a cyberattack from within China, it decided to completely quit China.
I’m in China for a trip, Can I access my Gmail in China?
Even if you are just a visitor in China, you will not be able to access the Google service as long as you are there. This is because of the geographical restriction/ban.
However, if you would like to access it in China, you can do so by using a strong and reliable VPN.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN connects you to VPN servers in a suitable country outside the country where the intended service does not function freely. In this way, a VPN makes it look like you are located outside the country where it does not function.
Why can’t I use free VPNs available online?
While you can use free VPNs that you find on the internet but you must be aware that more than the benefits that you may or may not be able to extract from it, there is a high degree of risk involved with it. With free VPNs, the authorities can track you down and take action.
Conclusion
China has banned a huge number of internet services that are present in the world outside China. This also includes Google and its services. Due to this reason, Google cannot be accessed there.
However, there is a safe and secure way of accessing Google in China, that is, to make use of a good, strong and reliable VPN service. A VPN helps you bypass geographical restrictions/bans and get access to Google from China.
It is most important that you make sure that the VPN service that you choose to use in China, is capable of bypassing restrictions as well as strong enough to maintain anonymity and security. We strongly recommend ExpressVPN for guaranteed results.