You can access and use PureVPN in China, but the process isn’t as straightforward as in other regions because the service is currently blocked in mainland China.
Thus, you must first use another VPN/proxy service to visit PureVPN’s website (if you’re a new user) or sign up from a country where it’s not blocked.
But if you’ve already signed up and downloaded its VPN client, you can use PureVPN’s VPN service from China without hassle.
Read on to learn about using Pure VPN and its associated services in China.
How to Set Up and Use PureVPN in China?
You can easily install PureVPN on your PCs and smartphones in China.
Here’s the PureVPN setup guide for China:
- Head to PureVPN’s website and click the “Get PureVPN” button to get the latest discounts. The deals may not last long.
- Subscribe to one of the available packages.
- You’ll get an email with your login details as soon as you purchase the plan.
- Download the PureVPN app on your device.
- Install it and enter your credentials to log in.
- Head to settings on your dashboard in the bottom left corner and enable the IKS feature. This automatically disables your internet connection if the PureVPN connection unexpectedly drops.
- On the same window, hit the “Protocol” tab. WireGUard is the fastest, but OpenVPN is the best to bypass the Great Firewall.
- Go to the PureVPN homepage to connect to your preferred server location and get unlimited access to the web.
How to Get the PureVPN App in China?
Many overseas services, including VPN sites, are unavailable in China.
Because the nation has regional versions of the Google Play and App Store, prominent VPN apps aren’t available either. But don’t panic; you can use a few workarounds to get the PureVPN app in China.
Use Mirrored Links
Mirrored links are copies of a provider’s website but on another URL.
Note that mirrored links change regularly because China’s firewall eventually blocks them. If they don’t work for you, contact customer support (via email) to see if they changed the URL.
Ask a Friend for the Setup Files
If you have an overseas friend, you can ask them to download the installation files and send them to you over the Internet. This works best for Android and Windows PC users since it’s easier to sideload apps on these units.
Use services that allow file-sharing in China, such as select email and cloud storage platforms. Otherwise, you may not be able to get the installation files.
Use APK Files for Smartphones
If you’re using Android, try searching for the PureVPN .apk files online.
You can use search engines like Baidu or Sogou. If you don’t know Chinese, try using the Baidu Translate service.
However, be wary of untrustworthy sites as they may ship you malicious PureVPN apps designed to infect your device with malware.
Download the App Before Leaving for China
If you’re planning to travel to China, the best time to download a VPN is before you leave. That way, when you arrive, you’ll have it installed on your phone and ready to go.
Use a SIM Card From Your Home Country
Do you still have your home SIM card? Please insert it into your smartphone and enable roaming to download the PureVPN software. Then, return to your Chinese SIM card and begin using the VPN.
Take a Trip to Taiwan, Macau, or Hong Kong
If everything else fails, you’ll have to take a day trip to one of these local locations.
While such areas face Chinese meddling and monitoring, the Internet isn’t substantially restricted. As a result, you can download PureVPN from there easily.
Access PureVPN Website With a Proxy Service
If none of the above suggestions work, you can access PureVPN’s website with a proxy service or VPN that isn’t already blocked.
Benefits of Using PureVPN in China
The Internet in China is controlled by the government via the Great Firewall (GFW), which regulates inbound and outbound Internet traffic between China and the rest of the world. Fortunately, PureVPN can help with that in various ways, including
- Breaking the GFW of China: The GFW blocks social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter; news websites, streaming platforms, and plenty of other online services. PureVPN can unblock all these services anywhere in China.
- Ensuring online security and privacy: PureVPN employs robust AES-256-bit encryption, making it extremely difficult for third parties to decipher your data and internet traffic. The zero-logging approach also successfully protects your online activity sessions.
- Accessing VoIP Services: VoIP services such as Whatsapp, Skype, and Google Talk are restricted in China. Luckily, PureVPN’s reliable unblocking servers can access these apps and allow you to communicate over these services across long distances at a relatively low cost.
- Unblocking torrents: PureVPN works wonderfully with torrents by granting access to prohibited P2P websites and downloading files securely. It has about fifty torrent-compatible P2P servers, which support fast and secure downloads via torrenting clients like BitTorrent.
- Accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and other streaming platforms: PureVPN’s streaming-optimized servers make it easy to unblock US Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and streaming services anywhere.
Are There Any Drawbacks to PureVPN in China?
Despite the clear benefits, PureVPN isn’t a universal solution for all internet privacy issues in China. Let’s explore some downsides to using PureVPN in China:
- It doesn’t always bypass restrictions: Unfortunately, no VPN provider can guarantee that you’ll always be able to circumvent China’s Great Firewall restrictions. Even the best VPN services are occasionally blocked.
- PureVPN costs money: The unfortunate truth is that a high-performing, safe VPN like PureVPN will cost money. It doesn’t have to break the bank, though. PureVPN’s prices are very affordable, and you can grab these limited-time discounts to save more on your purchase.
- PureVPN slows your connection speeds: A VPN service almost always slows down your connection speed. With good-quality VPNs like PureVPN, the speed loss is minimal. For instance, PureVPN delivers a speed loss of just 0.41% during my tests.
Tips for Using PureVPN in China
Here are a few measures to give yourself the best chance to bypass censorship in China:
- Keep your PureVPN app updated: VPN services regularly tweak their connection protocols when connections become difficult. To keep up, make sure your app is up to date.
- Check the China server status: Any VPN service that serves the China market well will have a status page for timely updates, or you can get this from the customer care reps. They usually give timely updates on connection issues, possible fixes, and tips on connecting to VPN servers in China and which servers are working in China.
- Choose OpenVPN to bypass obfuscation: It masks VPN traffic so that it looks like regular traffic and stays hidden from anybody trying to detect it. The idea is to continue transferring data safely and securely (encrypted) while concealing the nature of the traffic to get around VPN blocks and firewalls.
- Enable the Kill Switch: It deactivates an internet connection the second the VPN connection fails. It’s also convenient because it automatically reactivates your internet once the VPN connection’s stable!
Can't Connect to PureVPN From China? 8 Easy Fixes
Is your PureVPN app not connecting in China? Below are the commonest reasons and how you can fix them:
- Update the PureVPN app: If you’re using an older app, update to a newer one. An outdated app can house glitches and bugs preventing the VPN from functioning properly.
- Use a different VPN protocol: Maybe your chosen VPN protocol isn’t working for you due to problems at your provider’s end or the Chinese firewall restrictions. So, try another VPN protocol.
- Switch servers: If you have internet access and can’t connect to your desired VPN server, it could be because it’s overcrowded, the server may be down or blacklisted by your ISP. Try to connect to a different server.
- Use PureVPN’s Dedicated IP: During periods of heavy VPN blocking, connecting to PureVPN from China might be difficult. In these cases, the best option is to use PureVPN’s Dedicated IP mode, which won’t have logged IP addresses.
- Enable obfuscation: It conceals that you’re connected to a VPN service, allowing you to circumvent VPN restrictions (like the Great Firewall) and access restricted material without the danger of being identified.
- Change your Firewall settings: Antimalware and device firewalls can often interfere with PureVPN’s connection. Temporarily disable your antimalware or firewall to see if it works.
- Re-log in/Reinstall the app: If you can’t find any specific issue to fix, the best solution is to log out of the VPN app and log back in or reinstall the VPN app altogether.
- Contact customer support: PureVPN’s customer service is helpful to VPN users in China. There’s a live chat feature available 24/7, but you may have to use the email option if you can’t access the provider’s website in China.
Which Websites Can You Unblock in China With PureVPN?
PureVPN is good for unblocking content streams and other blocked websites in China, thanks to its numerous servers, reliable encryption, and adequate speeds for a lag-free streaming experience.
The table below shows some of the services you can access with PureVPN.
| Content Type | Example |
|---|---|
| News | CNN, BBC, Euro news |
| Streaming | Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Youtube |
| Email services | Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, Zoho Mail |
| Games | AoE2, Divinity Original Sin, Quake, Unreal Tournament, Stardew Valley |
PureVPN Alternatives for China
China invests heavily in its firewall network and can sometimes temporarily bring down some VPN providers. PureVPN will always get back up ASAP, but you’ll need something else to keep connecting to the Internet.
Here are some of my trusted alternatives:
- NordVPN: The VPN not only has more US servers to unblock content anywhere but also features an in-house NordLynx protocol for better security and Onion over VPN to use the Dark Web securely in China without downloading the slow Tor browser.
- Surfshark: Surfshark is well-balanced in speed, cost, and convenience. Also, Surfshark has a NoBorders mode to circumvent the government’s tight censorship and gain access to banned content in China. Finally, you get unlimited device connections, as opposed to ten devices on PureVPN.
- ExpressVPN: It uses automatic obfuscation, DNS and IP leak protection, and a kill switch to consistently get around China’s firewall without leaking your private data to the government. It even offers workarounds like mirrored sites so you can download the app when you’re already in China.
FAQ
Is PureVPN Illegal in China?
PureVPN isn’t illegal in China, but its use is heavily restricted. China allows VPN providers to operate as long as they cooperate with the state, which PureVPN doesn’t. Thus, you may be in for server disruptions, which you can easily solve by connecting to other servers.
That's All, Folks!
PureVPN is one of the best VPNs to bypass China’s great firewall.
So, I recommend it to everyone living in or traveling to Mainland China.
You can also rest assured that it keeps your online activities undercover while in China. But no need to take my word for it.
Try PureVPN in China risk-free with its 31-day money-back guarantee and see its amazing side for yourself.
