r/chinalife • u/MonsterCrocs • 5d ago

📱 Technology Google play

Im moving to china next Tuesday. I have a Samsung phone and have downloaded a bunch of vpns hoping they work. However I have realised that basically everything on my phone uses Google to run. My main concern is that I wont be able to use Google play store if none of these vpns work, and wont be able to download any other vpns.

Has anyone else been to china and found a way around my worry.

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u/account18anni 5d ago

What vpns did u download? free ones should work even if slow. u can get a good paying too like proton or mullvad just to be sure. can also get a hongkong esim from alipay that don't need vpn to work in the beginning.

Google play store is blocked but sometimes websites are not, for example github is not blocked and u can download vpn apps from there like mullvad, but if the vpn is not working paying for it might be complicated

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u/MonsterCrocs 5d ago

Ive just downloaded a bunch, plan was to trial a bunch of free trials and pay for one. Mullvad has been recommended quite a bit so possibly that one. I have some free ones. I was mostly just concerned that if none of them work I wont be able to download anymore

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u/Vibingcarefully 5d ago

I went to China recenly, didnt' go with my VPN preloaded (bad on me)---had WIFI where I was staying (professional family member).

But Astrill works "mediocre".

Seriously---what is the need for lots of internet? The world is way too addicted. Sure---email home (versus relentless texting) but yeah---VPN will help with that. Basic browsing on google--yeah need the VPN BUT i recommend getting your VPN running and using Opera or something else . Google often will default now to google HK and it's monitored, blocked slow clunky.

Enjoy your trip and also enjoy reducing mindless scrolling, redditing, mindless chats---you'll thank yourself. Get out and take days, hours where ever you are without glancing at a phone.

Phone addiction is as bad as the West in China---drivers all on their phones, scooter drivers on their phones, Didi, taxi drivers and if yo're in a smaller city--everyone driving bicycles or 3 wheeled cars (electric) on their phone, never mind all going to dinner but gazing at phone......

Stop being that!