Will My Apps Work There?
Pick a destination to see which of 18 popular apps work, are limited, are blocked or aren't offered there, whether using a VPN is legal, and what to set up before you fly. The checker covers 17 destinations; every status rests on a dated source, listed at the bottom of this page, most recently checked 12 October 2026.Updated · free, no account
Where are you going?
17 destinations · 18 apps each
Pick a destination to see which of the 18 apps work, are limited, blocked or not offered there, whether VPNs are legal, and what to set up before you go.
All destinations at a glance
17 destinations × 18 apps. Last checked ; each country's notes are in the checker above, and every source is listed at the bottom of the page.
- Works
- Limited
- Blocked
- Not offered
- Unclear
| Messaging & calls | Social | Work & info | Streaming | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destination | WA chat | WA calls | Telegram | Signal | FaceTime | Search | Gmail | Maps | YouTube | Insta | X | TikTok | Zoom | Wiki | ChatGPT | Netflix | Spotify | |
| Argentina | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Brazil | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| China | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Limited | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Not offered | Limited | Blocked | Blocked | Not offered | Not offered |
| Egypt | Works | Limited | Works | Works | Unclear | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Indonesia | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Iran | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Unclear | Limited | Limited | Unclear | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Not offered | Limited | Not offered | Blocked | Not offered |
| Italy | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Japan | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Mexico | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Morocco | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Russia | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Limited | Limited | Limited | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked | Limited | Limited | Limited | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Saudi Arabia | Works | Blocked | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Spain | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Thailand | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Turkey | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| UAE | Works | Blocked | Limited | Blocked | Blocked | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
| Vietnam | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works | Works |
Swipe the table sideways to see every app.
How to Read the Results
Every app in every destination gets one of five statuses. Each one comes with a short note saying what you will actually notice, the source it rests on and the date it was last checked, so you can judge how fresh it is for yourself.
- Works
- Available and usable as normal on ordinary connections.
- Limited
- Partly restricted: some features are blocked, it is throttled, or it fails on some networks.
- Blocked
- Blocked by the government or local internet providers.
- Not offered
- Not blocked, but the company does not offer the service in that country.
- Unclear
- Reliable sources conflict or are out of date, so we don't state a status.
Each destination also gets a one-line verdict: Most apps work, Some apps blocked or Many apps blocked. It is a quick summary of the whole list, not a score: one blocked app can matter more to you than five limited ones, so read the rows for the apps you rely on.
“Limited” is the status to read most carefully. It covers cases where an app opens but a feature does not work, where it is slowed down until it is barely usable, or where it works on some networks but not others. The note on each row says which of those applies.
Blocked or Just Not Offered? Two Different Problems
A block is imposed from outside the company: a government orders local internet providers to stop traffic to an app, or to a feature such as voice calls. The app may still be installed on your phone, but it fails to connect, or it connects and then drops calls.
Not offered is the company's own decision. A streaming service may not hold the rights to operate in a country, a payment-linked service may not support local cards, or the company may simply never have launched there. Nothing is being blocked; the service just isn't sold there, and the app is often missing from the local app store.
The difference matters for what you can do about it. With a block, the usual fixes are a different app that is allowed, or a VPN where using one is legal. With a service that is not offered, an account you already pay for at home often still works when you travel, but you may find a different catalogue, or no access at all, depending on that service's own rules. The note on each row says which situation you are in.
Where Restrictions Are Heaviest
Of the 17 destinations we cover, 5 have at least one blocked app, and 11 have no blocked or limited app at all (Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam). The table sorts destinations by the number of blocked apps, then limited ones.
| Destination | Blocked | Limited | Not offered | VPNs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 13 | 2 | 3 | Restricted |
| Iran | 10 | 3 | 3 | Restricted |
| Russia | 9 | 6 | 3 | Restricted |
| UAE | 3 | 1 | 0 | Restricted |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Egypt | 0 | 1 | 0 | Restricted |
| Argentina | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Indonesia | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Morocco | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Thailand | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Turkey | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
| Vietnam | 0 | 0 | 0 | Legal |
Which Apps Are Blocked Most Often
The same 18 apps, counted the other way round: in how many of our 17 destinations each one is blocked or limited. Apps that are only “not offered” somewhere are counted separately, because nothing is stopping them.
| App | Blocked in | Limited in | Not offered in |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp calls | 5: China, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE | 1: Egypt | — |
| Signal | 4: China, Iran, Russia, UAE | — | — |
| Telegram | 3: China, Iran, Russia | 1: UAE | — |
| WhatsApp messages | 3: China, Iran, Russia | — | — |
| YouTube | 3: China, Iran, Russia | — | — |
| 3: China, Iran, Russia | — | — | |
| 3: China, Iran, Russia | — | — | |
| X (Twitter) | 3: China, Iran, Russia | — | — |
| FaceTime | 2: Russia, UAE | 1: China | — |
| Google Search | 1: China | 2: Iran, Russia | — |
| Gmail | 1: China | 2: Iran, Russia | — |
| Wikipedia | 1: China | 2: Iran, Russia | — |
| Google Maps | 1: China | 1: Russia | — |
| TikTok | 1: Iran | 1: Russia | 1: China |
| ChatGPT | 1: China | — | 2: Iran, Russia |
| Netflix | 1: Iran | — | 2: China, Russia |
| Zoom | — | 2: China, Russia | 1: Iran |
| Spotify | — | — | 3: China, Iran, Russia |
Country Notes
The restricted apps in each destination, with a short note for each, plus VPN legality. Apps not listed work normally; the sources are at the bottom of this page.
ArgentinaMost apps work
All 18 apps on our list work normally in Argentina, with no government blocks of social media or messaging apps reported, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Argentina.
No Argentine law restricts VPN use. Freedom House finds no limits on anonymity or encryption tools, though it does not discuss VPNs by name.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Argentina VPN guide
BrazilMost apps work
All 18 apps on our list work normally in Brazil; X was court-blocked from August to October 2024 but has worked since, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Brazil.
VPNs are legal. A 2024 court order threatened fines for using VPNs to reach X during its ban (lifted Oct 2024); such clauses can return if a platform is banned.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Brazil VPN guide
ChinaMany apps blocked
Google services, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Telegram, Signal, Wikipedia and ChatGPT are blocked in mainland China; TikTok, Netflix and Spotify are not offered, as of October 2026.
- WhatsApp messagesGet VPNBlocked
WhatsApp is blocked nationwide; Apple removed it from China's App Store in April 2024 on a CAC order.
- WhatsApp callsGet VPNBlocked
Calls are blocked along with the rest of WhatsApp, which is inaccessible on Chinese networks.
- TelegramGet VPNBlocked
Telegram is blocked; Apple removed it from China's App Store in April 2024 on a CAC order.
- SignalGet VPNBlocked
Signal is blocked; Apple removed it from China's App Store in April 2024 on a CAC order.
- FaceTimeLimited
One-to-one video works, but Group FaceTime, FaceTime Audio and FaceTime links aren't supported in mainland China.
- Google SearchGet VPNBlocked
Google Search has been blocked in mainland China since 2012.
- GmailGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since Dec 2014; the US State Department's 2023 rights report lists Google among the services authorities block.
- Google MapsGet VPNBlocked
Google Maps is among the Google services that remain blocked in mainland China.
- YouTubeGet VPNBlocked
YouTube is blocked in mainland China.
- InstagramGet VPNBlocked
Instagram is blocked in mainland China.
- FacebookGet VPNBlocked
Facebook is blocked in mainland China.
- X (Twitter)Get VPNBlocked
X (formerly Twitter) is blocked in mainland China.
- TikTokNot offered
TikTok is not offered in mainland China, per its CEO's written testimony to the US Congress in March 2023.
- ZoomLimited
Since Aug 2020 Zoom serves mainland China only through local partners; new free sign-ups there were suspended.
- WikipediaGet VPNBlocked
All language editions of Wikipedia have been blocked in mainland China since April 2019.
- ChatGPTGet VPNBlocked
OpenAI does not offer ChatGPT in China, and regulators told Chinese tech firms in 2023 to cut off access to it.
- NetflixNot offered
China is on Netflix's official list of countries where the service is not available.
- SpotifyNot offered
Mainland China is not on Spotify's list of markets (Hong Kong and Macao are).
Only government-approved VPNs are allowed; the MIIT banned unlicensed VPNs and individuals have been fined for using them.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · China VPN guide
EgyptSome apps blocked
WhatsApp calls and other internet calling face a long-standing VoIP ban and hundreds of news sites are blocked, while social media, Google, ChatGPT, Netflix and Spotify work, as of October 2026.
- WhatsApp callsLimited
NTRA's long-standing ban on VoIP such as WhatsApp calling had not been lifted by May 2025; calls may fail.
- FaceTimeUnclear
Apple lists FaceTime on all Egyptian carriers (2026), but Freedom House says the VoIP ban persisted to May 2025.
No outright VPN ban, but Egypt's 2018 cybercrime law punishes visiting blocked websites with up to one year in prison.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Egypt VPN guide
IndonesiaMost apps work
All major messaging, social, streaming and AI apps work in Indonesia; adult and gambling sites are blocked, and Wikipedia logins were briefly restricted in early 2026, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Indonesia.
No law bans VPN use; in Aug 2024 the ministry blocked some free VPN apps used for online gambling and said paid ones could follow.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Indonesia VPN guide
IranMany apps blocked
WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, YouTube, X, Facebook, TikTok and Signal are blocked in Iran; Zoom, ChatGPT and Spotify exclude Iranian users; Google services work only partly, as of October 2026.
- WhatsApp messagesGet VPNBlocked
Unblocked Dec 2024 but cut again in the 2026 shutdowns; still closed off after the partial restoration of 26 May 2026.
- WhatsApp callsGet VPNBlocked
Blocked along with the app since early 2026; UDP traffic, which calls rely on, was also being disrupted in May 2026.
- TelegramGet VPNBlocked
Filtered since 2018; still closed off after the May 2026 partial restoration.
- SignalGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since January 2021 after a surge in Iranian sign-ups; no report of it being unblocked since.
- FaceTimeUnclear
Apple doesn't sell or operate in Iran (sanctions) and no reliable report confirms a FaceTime block; UDP disruption may hit calls.
- Google SearchLimited
Reachable after the 88-day blackout ended in May 2026, but only some Google services work and foreign traffic is throttled.
- GmailLimited
No Gmail-specific block confirmed, but only some Google services work after May 2026 and foreign traffic is heavily throttled.
- Google MapsUnclear
2022 reports of filtering on mobile data were never confirmed; 2026 reports say only some Google services work.
- YouTubeGet VPNBlocked
Long filtered; listed among global apps still closed off after the May 2026 partial restoration.
- InstagramGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since the Sept 2022 protests; still closed off after the May 2026 partial restoration.
- FacebookGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since 2009; still closed off after the May 2026 partial restoration.
- X (Twitter)Get VPNBlocked
Blocked since 2009; Freedom House lists X among major platforms that remain blocked or filtered.
- TikTokGet VPNBlocked
Freedom House lists TikTok among major platforms that remain blocked or filtered in Iran.
- ZoomNot offered
Zoom lists Iran among restricted regions where users cannot access its services, for regulatory (sanctions) reasons.
- WikipediaLimited
No specific block found, but the restored internet stays heavily filtered and most foreign traffic is throttled (May 2026).
- ChatGPTNot offered
Iran is not on OpenAI's list of supported countries, so OpenAI does not serve users there.
- NetflixGet VPNBlocked
Filtered since its 2016 launch; regulator SATRA confirmed the block in 2021. Sanctions also stop Iranian cards paying.
- SpotifyNot offered
Iran is not on Spotify's official list of available markets.
A 2024 Supreme Council of Cyberspace directive endorsed by Khamenei bans VPN use unless officials authorise it; penalties are undefined.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Iran VPN guide
ItalyMost apps work
All 18 apps we track work normally in Italy; regulator-ordered blocking targets piracy sites rather than mainstream apps, so a VPN is optional, mainly for public Wi-Fi, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Italy.
Legal for users. Since Feb 2025, AGCOM's Piracy Shield can order VPN and DNS providers to block piracy-linked sites within 30 minutes.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Italy VPN guide
JapanMost apps work
All 18 apps we track work normally in Japan with no government blocking reported, so a VPN is optional, mainly for public Wi-Fi or reaching home streaming catalogues, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Japan.
No law restricts personal VPN use; the communications ministry (MIC) itself publishes VPN router setup guides for secure telework.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Japan VPN guide
MexicoMost apps work
All 18 apps on our list work normally in Mexico with no government blocks reported; a 2025 proposal letting authorities block platforms was dropped, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Mexico.
No Mexican law restricts VPN use. Freedom House finds no general limits on anonymity or encryption tools, though it does not discuss VPNs by name.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Mexico VPN guide
MoroccoMost apps work
No popular apps are blocked: WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, social media, Google services, ChatGPT, Netflix and Spotify all work normally, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Morocco.
No VPN ban; encryption tools are generally accessible, though Law 53-05's crypto-authorisation rule is ambiguous for individuals.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Morocco VPN guide
RussiaMany apps blocked
WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, Signal and FaceTime are blocked in Russia; Netflix, Spotify and ChatGPT are unavailable; mobile-data whitelists disrupt Google services, as of October 2026.
- WhatsApp messagesGet VPNBlocked
Kremlin confirmed the block on 12 Feb 2026, pushing users to state app Max; domain dropped from national DNS. Needs circumvention.
- WhatsApp callsGet VPNBlocked
Voice and video calls restricted nationwide since Aug 2025; the whole app has been blocked since Feb 2026.
- TelegramGet VPNBlocked
Calls cut Aug 2025, throttled from Feb 2026; near-total block since early Apr 2026, with ~5% reachable without circumvention.
- SignalGet VPNBlocked
Blocked by Roskomnadzor in August 2024 over alleged breaches of anti-terrorism and other laws.
- FaceTimeGet VPNBlocked
Roskomnadzor confirmed it was restricting FaceTime on 4 Dec 2025, citing terrorism and fraud; calls fail without circumvention.
- Google SearchLimited
No Google block, but recurring mobile-data shutdowns in some regions allow only whitelisted Russian sites (Moscow ~3 weeks, Mar 2026).
- GmailLimited
Not blocked, but recurring mobile-data shutdowns in some regions leave only whitelisted Russian services; Wi-Fi/fixed-line less affected.
- Google MapsLimited
Not blocked, but in recurring mobile-data shutdowns (e.g. Moscow, Mar 2026) maps failed without Wi-Fi or fixed-line internet.
- YouTubeGet VPNBlocked
Deliberately throttled since mid-2024 to near-unusable; its domain stopped resolving via Russia's national DNS in Feb 2026.
- InstagramGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since March 2022 after Meta was designated 'extremist'; domain also dropped from national DNS in Feb 2026.
- FacebookGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since March 2022 after Meta was designated 'extremist'; domain also dropped from national DNS in Feb 2026.
- X (Twitter)Get VPNBlocked
Blocked by Roskomnadzor since March 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine; no change since.
- TikTokLimited
Not formally banned, but TikTok has barred new uploads from Russian users since 2022, so the app is mostly view-only.
- ZoomLimited
Zoom doesn't restrict Russia and no block is reported, but recurring mobile-data shutdowns in some regions leave only whitelisted services.
- WikipediaLimited
No block, but recurring mobile-data shutdowns in some regions leave only whitelisted Russian sites; fixed-line is less affected.
- ChatGPTNot offered
Russia is not on OpenAI's list of supported countries, so OpenAI does not serve users there.
- NetflixNot offered
Netflix suspended service in March 2022; its help centre lists Russia among countries where it is not available.
- SpotifyNot offered
Spotify left Russia in 2022; Russia is absent from its official list of available markets.
Using a VPN isn't an offence, but non-compliant VPNs are blocked, VPN ads are fined, and since Sept 2025 searching 'extremist' material is fined.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Russia VPN guide
Saudi ArabiaSome apps blocked
WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked and many news and rights websites are filtered, while WhatsApp messaging, FaceTime, Zoom, social media, ChatGPT, Netflix and Spotify work, as of October 2026.
- WhatsApp callsGet VPNBlocked
Calls blocked under telecom rules (Aug 2025). A brief reactivation reported in Feb 2025 was never officially confirmed.
No specific VPN ban identified; use is common, but Tor and major VPN provider websites are blocked and cybercrime law still applies.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Saudi Arabia VPN guide
SpainMost apps work
All 18 apps we track work in Spain, but court-backed IP blocks during live football broadcasts can knock out unrelated websites and card-payment pages on major ISPs, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Spain.
Personal VPN use is legal. In Feb 2026 a Córdoba court ordered two VPN providers to block IPs used for pirated football; it targets providers, not users.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Spain VPN guide
ThailandMost apps work
All major messaging, social, streaming and AI apps work in Thailand; blocking targets gambling and some political websites rather than apps, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Thailand.
No law bans VPN use; authorities have blocked websites offering unauthorised VPN services, and Computer Crime Act offences still apply.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Thailand VPN guide
TurkeyMost apps work
Most apps work in Turkey with no platform block in force, though social and messaging apps were throttled during protests, most recently for ~21 hours in September 2025, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Turkey.
Personal VPN use is not illegal, but Turkish authorities have blocked access to dozens of VPN services (27 listed by İFÖD in Aug 2024).
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Turkey VPN guide
UAESome apps blocked
WhatsApp calls, FaceTime and Signal are blocked and Telegram calls are restricted, while messaging, Google, social media, Zoom, ChatGPT, Netflix and Spotify work, as of October 2026.
- WhatsApp callsGet VPNBlocked
Voice and video calls blocked under UAE telecom rules; WhatsApp is not on TDRA's list of approved VoIP apps.
- TelegramLimited
Messaging works, but Telegram calls are not on TDRA's approved VoIP list and ISPs must block unapproved VoIP.
- SignalGet VPNBlocked
Blocked since 2016 and reported still inaccessible (Freedom House, 2024); no newer published update. Calls aren't TDRA-approved.
- FaceTimeGet VPNBlocked
Apple says FaceTime isn't available in the UAE; it is also absent from TDRA's approved VoIP list.
Not banned outright, but Decree-Law 34/2021 Art. 10 punishes masking your IP to commit or hide a crime: jail and/or AED 500k-2m fine.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · UAE VPN guide
VietnamMost apps work
Almost all major apps work in Vietnam; Telegram was ordered blocked in May 2025 but has been reachable on major networks since July 2025, as of October 2026.
All 18 apps we track work normally in Vietnam.
No law bans using a VPN; Decree 330/2026 (in force 19 Aug 2026) fines people VND 10-20m for guiding or sharing ways to reach blocked sites.
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Open in the checker · Vietnam VPN guide
Install and Test Your VPN Before You Travel
In countries that block apps, VPN providers' own websites and app-store listings are often blocked too, so signing up and downloading after you land can be much harder than it is at home. Set everything up before you leave, on every device you are taking:
- Install the app and sign in on your phone, laptop and tablet while you are still on your home connection. Save your login details somewhere you can reach offline.
- Connect once and confirm it works. Our Is My VPN Working? check takes under a minute, and What Is My IP shows the address and location websites will see.
- Turn on the settings meant for restrictive networks if your VPN has them, such as an obfuscated or “stealth” mode that makes VPN traffic harder to recognise, and note which server locations you plan to use.
- Update your apps before you fly. An out-of-date app may refuse to run, and the update may be hard to download once you are there.
Network blocking is measured, not guessed: our internet censorship index tracks which platforms are actually blocked in each country, using network measurements re-pulled every month.
Is It Legal to Use a VPN Abroad?
It depends on the country. In our data, VPNs are legal in 12 destinations, restricted in 5 (China, Egypt, Iran, Russia and UAE). “Restricted” means VPNs are not banned outright but are limited, for example to approved services or to certain uses; the note for each country explains how.
Even where VPNs are legal, what you do over one still has to be legal locally. Our country-by-country guide to VPN legality goes deeper, and nothing on this page is legal advice.
How We Check
Each status rests on public sources of four kinds:
- Regulators and governments: telecom regulators' notices and official statements announcing or lifting a block.
- The companies themselves: availability pages, help-centre articles and statements saying where a service is offered or why it stopped working.
- Freedom House's Freedom on the Net reports, which document blocked platforms country by country.
- Major news outlets, for blocks that are recent or that no official source has confirmed.
Every cell rests on a source and a check date (all listed under Sources below), and the whole table is re-checked monthly. When sources conflict, or the newest one is too old to rely on, the cell says “Unclear” instead of guessing. Restrictions can also differ between mobile data, hotel Wi-Fi and different regions of the same country, and can change during elections or protests, so treat a status as the normal situation for a visitor, not a guarantee.
The VPN pick in the checker is the #1 VPN in our guide for that destination, so the tool and the guide always agree. See how we test for how those rankings are built.
Questions Travellers Ask
Which destinations does this tool cover?
17 destinations: Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam. Each has a status for the same 18 apps, a VPN legality note and practical tips. The most recent check was on 12 October 2026.
Does WhatsApp calling work in China?
Our status is blocked, last checked on 12 October 2026. Calls are blocked along with the rest of WhatsApp, which is inaccessible on Chinese networks. Source: Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 (China, B1). WhatsApp messages: blocked.
Does WhatsApp calling work in Egypt?
Our status is limited, last checked on 12 October 2026. NTRA's long-standing ban on VoIP such as WhatsApp calling had not been lifted by May 2025; calls may fail. Source: Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025. WhatsApp messages: works.
Does WhatsApp calling work in Iran?
Our status is blocked, last checked on 12 October 2026. Blocked along with the app since early 2026; UDP traffic, which calls rely on, was also being disrupted in May 2026. Source: Al Jazeera, 2026-05-31. WhatsApp messages: blocked.
Does WhatsApp calling work in Russia?
Our status is blocked, last checked on 12 October 2026. Voice and video calls restricted nationwide since Aug 2025; the whole app has been blocked since Feb 2026. Source: The Moscow Times, 2025-10-22. WhatsApp messages: blocked.
Does WhatsApp calling work in Saudi Arabia?
Our status is blocked, last checked on 12 October 2026. Calls blocked under telecom rules (Aug 2025). A brief reactivation reported in Feb 2025 was never officially confirmed. Source: The National, 2025-08-15. WhatsApp messages: works.
Does WhatsApp calling work in the UAE?
Our status is blocked, last checked on 12 October 2026. Voice and video calls blocked under UAE telecom rules; WhatsApp is not on TDRA's list of approved VoIP apps. Source: The National, 2025-08-15. WhatsApp messages: works.
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
VPNs are restricted there, in our summary. Only government-approved VPNs are allowed; the MIIT banned unlicensed VPNs and individuals have been fined for using them. Source: Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 (China, B1/C3). This is a summary, not legal advice; check official guidance before you travel.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Egypt?
VPNs are restricted there, in our summary. No outright VPN ban, but Egypt's 2018 cybercrime law punishes visiting blocked websites with up to one year in prison. Source: Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024. This is a summary, not legal advice; check official guidance before you travel.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Iran?
VPNs are restricted there, in our summary. A 2024 Supreme Council of Cyberspace directive endorsed by Khamenei bans VPN use unless officials authorise it; penalties are undefined. Source: RFE/RL, 2024-02-23. This is a summary, not legal advice; check official guidance before you travel.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia?
VPNs are restricted there, in our summary. Using a VPN isn't an offence, but non-compliant VPNs are blocked, VPN ads are fined, and since Sept 2025 searching 'extremist' material is fined. Source: Meduza, 2026-10-08. This is a summary, not legal advice; check official guidance before you travel.
Is it legal to use a VPN in the UAE?
VPNs are restricted there, in our summary. Not banned outright, but Decree-Law 34/2021 Art. 10 punishes masking your IP to commit or hide a crime: jail and/or AED 500k-2m fine. Source: Gulf News, 2024-12-23. This is a summary, not legal advice; check official guidance before you travel.
Which app is restricted in the most destinations?
WhatsApp calls is blocked or limited in 6 destinations out of 17: China, Egypt, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and UAE. The table under “Which apps are blocked most often” lists every app.
Can an app's status change while I'm there?
Yes. Blocks can be added or lifted at short notice, and some are applied only on certain networks or for certain features, such as calls but not messages. That is why every status here shows the date it was last checked. If something matters for your trip, test it as soon as you land, and keep a second way to reach people.
Looking for a destination we don't cover yet? Browse all our travel VPN guides.
Sources
Every status and VPN-legality note above rests on one of these sources, checked on the date shown in the table. We cite regulators, the services' own availability pages, Freedom House and major news outlets — never VPN companies or VPN review sites.
- Argentina
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Nov 2025) · Apple Support, iPhone carrier features in Latin America (May 2026) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Where is Spotify available? · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 (Oct 2024)
- Brazil
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Nov 2025) · Apple Support, iPhone carrier features in Latin America (May 2026) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Where is Spotify available?
- China
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 (China, B1-B2) · US State Department, 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: China (Section 2.A) · TikTok CEO Shou Chew, written testimony to US House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2023-03-23 · Apple Support, carrier features in Asia-Pacific, 2026-09-14 · Reuters via The Jakarta Post, 2020-08-03 · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Full list of markets
- Egypt
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 · Reuters via Al-Monitor, 2025-08-29 · Apple Support, 2026-04-01 · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions (accessed 2026-10-12) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Indonesia
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Indonesia) · detikInet, 2025-10-04 · Apple Support, carrier features in Asia-Pacific, 2026-09-14 · Antara, 2026-04-30 · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Full list of markets · detikInet, 2024-08-01
- Iran
- Al Jazeera, 2026-05-31 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 · Al Jazeera, 2021-01-26 · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Aftab News citing regulator SATRA, 2021-12-06 · Spotify Support, Where Spotify is available · RFE/RL, 2024-02-23
- Italy
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Nov 2025) · Apple Support, Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone in Europe (Sep 2026) · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions (accessed 2026-10-12) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center, How many countries is Netflix available in? (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support, Where is Spotify available? (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Japan
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Nov 2025) · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions (accessed 2026-10-12) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center, How many countries is Netflix available in? (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support, Where is Spotify available? (accessed 2026-10-12) · Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Telework security page (updated Jan 2026)
- Mexico
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Nov 2025) · Apple Support, iPhone carrier features in Latin America (May 2026) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Where is Spotify available? · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 (Oct 2024)
- Morocco
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 · Apple Support, 2026-04-01 · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions (accessed 2026-10-12) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support (accessed 2026-10-12) · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024
- Russia
- The Moscow Times, 2026-02-12 · The Moscow Times, 2025-10-22 · Human Rights Watch, 2026-03-31 · Committee to Protect Journalists, 2026-02-11 · Novaya Gazeta Europe, 2025-04-08 · OSW Centre for Eastern Studies, 2026-04-17 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 · The Moscow Times, 2025-12-04 · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Where Spotify is available · Meduza, 2026-10-08
- Saudi Arabia
- The National, 2025-08-15 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 · Apple Support, 2026-01-30 · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions (accessed 2026-10-12) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Spain
- Euronews, 18 Sep 2026 · Genbeta, 12 May 2025 · JURIST, 26 Mar 2024 · Apple Support, Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone in Europe (Sep 2026) · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions (accessed 2026-10-12) · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center, How many countries is Netflix available in? (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support, Where is Spotify available? (accessed 2026-10-12) · Cordópolis (elDiario.es), 17 Feb 2026
- Thailand
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Thailand) · Apple Support, carrier features in Asia-Pacific, 2026-09-14 · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Full list of markets · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 (Thailand, B1)
- Turkey
- Turkish Minute citing Reuters/NetBlocks, 2025-09-09 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 · Turkish Minute citing İFÖD, 2025-09-08 · Apple Support, carrier features (updated 2026-09-15) · Zoom Support, Restricted countries or regions · Wikimedia Foundation, 2020-01-15 · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Where Spotify is available · Stockholm Center for Freedom citing İFÖD, 2024-08-05
- UAE
- The National, 2025-08-15 · Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2024 · TDRA, Internet Guidelines (accessed 2026-10-12) · Apple Support, 2026-01-30 · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories (accessed 2026-10-12) · Netflix Help Center (accessed 2026-10-12) · Spotify Support (accessed 2026-10-12) · Gulf News, 2024-12-23
- Vietnam
- Freedom House, Freedom on the Net 2025 (Vietnam) · ZNews via Vietnam.vn, 2025-07-10 · Apple Support, carrier features in Asia-Pacific, 2026-09-14 · OpenAI, Supported countries and territories · Netflix Help Center, Where is Netflix available? · Spotify Support, Full list of markets · Cong dan & Khuyen hoc (Vietnamese newspaper), 2026-08-29
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