Use WhatsApp and Instagram in China?
I'm going to spend a semester abroad in Beijing soon and was recently accepted. I knew beforehand that I probably wouldn't be able to use WhatsApp, but I've now read that Instagram and other services are also blocked, and now I'm really worried that I won't have contact with family and friends for five months and won't be reachable in general. Is there any way I can still use this as an international student, or will I soon be isolated for five months?
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With a VPN goes WhatsApp etc. But it should be one that also works in China. Many do not.
If you know a little bit about servers, I recommend you Outline that is easy to install in a Docker container. As client, outline, shadowsocks or V2RayNG goes.
Webserver is available for free at Oracle Free Tier (and others)
My recommendation would be to contact the other students directly. There will also be reports of experience.
Many used VPN for my semester abroad. I didn’t need that. Almost only used WeChat and Gutfrage to get in touch with Germany.
It is possible by a good VPN client to use WhatsApp in China.
There are also alternative apps that work in China. Popular alternatives are:
Roaming also allows you to use WhatsApp as usual. This can, however, be expensive.
It works best with a Wlan connection. Since mobile data are often throttled in China.
And since the Chinese government can monitor your messages, you should go very carefully to the thing.
WhatsApp or VPN is not illegal in China.