How to Unblock WhatsApp Anywhere with a VPN: Easy Steps to Stay Connected

WhatsApp is one of the most popular social media giants, allowing friends and family to stay connected quickly and effortlessly, no matter where you are. WhatsApp has surpassed 2.78 users globally as of 2024, and predictions have been made that the number will exceed 3.14 billion by 2025. Unfortunately, WhatsApp can’t be used in specific countries like the UAE, North Korea, and China. Without a VPN, you cannot access or use WhatsApp in these regions (Virtual Private Network).

A VPN allows you to bypass geolocation restrictions and unlimited access to WhatsApp even if you live in these regions. You can use WhatsApp’s text and calling features to enhance your privacy and security while you’re at it. In this guide, we will explore in detail why you need a VPN for WhatsApp and what makes AstrillVPN stand out as the best VPN for WhatsApp. We will also discuss what you should do if WhatsApp isn’t working with a VPN. So, if you’re ready, let’s begin.

Why Is WhatsApp Blocked In Specific Countries?

There are specific countries that have blocked WhatsApp for political and security reasons, while other countries have claimed that they have blocked WhatsApp to promote their telecommunication services. If you’re wondering in which countries is WhatsApp banned, then as of 2024, WhatsApp is currently blocked in the following countries:

1) China

China has a “Great Firewall” that blocks its citizens from accessing international apps and websites. WhatsApp is one of the apps banned in China. The Chinese government uses these bans to control the flow of information and promote its telecommunication services, like WeChat, which is widely used in China. WhatsApp was banned in China in 2017, and it has been this way since.

2) Iran

WhatsApp is also banned in Iran. The government periodically blocked this app because it wished to control communication and access to information from different sources, especially during critical times when political unrest exists. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi cited Instagram and WhatsApp as the cause of insecurity during the 2022 riots. WhatsApp and other social media sites were blocked to prevent further unrest. 

3) North Korea

North Korea has some of the strictest and most restrictive internet policies, with many social media networks and websites banned. The country’s citizens have limited access to the websites and apps used by people globally, and apps like WhatsApp are banned to prevent the free flow of information and maintain the government’s control over communications.

4) Qatar

Qatar has blocked WhatsApp’s voice and video calling feature, although you can still use the app to text your friends and family. Qatar has placed bans on some of WhatsApp’s critical features to promote and encourage the use of its telecommunication services.

5) United Arab Emirates

Similar to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates has also blocked WhatsApp’s voice and video calling features. The UAE government implemented these restrictions to support and encourage local telecommunication companies. UAE citizens and residents can still access the text messaging feature, but the app’s primary purpose is limited since voice and video calls are banned.

6) Syria

WhatsApp is also banned in Syria because the government is trying to restrict and control communications within the country, as well as communication from third parties and outside sources. The ban is part of a more significant strategy that involves a broader internet censorship policy. The Syrian government had banned the use of WhatsApp when president Bashar al-Assad came to power. The government claimed that it was being used by Syrian opposition activists.

How To Use WhatsApp With AstrillVPN?

If you’re trying to access WhatsApp from a region where WhatsApp is banned, then AstrillVPN is the perfect solution to ensure unlimited access to WhatsApp no matter where you are. Here’s how you can use AstrillVPN to gain unlimited access to WhatsApp:

1. Download and install AstrillVPN. You can do this directly from their website.
2. You can now choose the download link for your operating system. Click on iOS or Android, depending on your choice.
3. Register for your AstrillVPN account and sign up.
4. Once you’ve received your login credentials, connect to a server where WhatsApp is available.
5. You can also choose a protocol that meets your needs and preferences.
6. Turn on the VPN connection and enjoy unlimited access to WhatsApp features.

Why Do I Need To Use A VPN For WhatsApp?

There are plenty of reasons why you need to use a VPN for WhatsApp. Some of the primary reasons why you need to invest in a VPN to access WhatsApp include:

1) Privacy & Security

Although WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, this encryption is only limited to in-app conversations. Your internet traffic, including outgoing and inbound traffic, gets encrypted using a VPN. This enhances your privacy and security and allows you to remain anonymous anytime. You can also hide your chat history from your ISP (Internet Service Provider), who may be snooping on your data. VPNs mask your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic, allowing you to remain anonymous online.

2) Bypassing Geolocation Restrictions

VPNs also allow you to bypass geolocation restrictions and censorship, allowing you to gain unlimited access to WhatsApp, even if you live in a region where it’s banned. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server where WhatsApp is available, and you can access all of WhatsApp’s features quickly and effortlessly without your region having to limit you. Unblocking WhatsApp is one of the main reasons why people invest in a reliable VPN provider.

3) Unblocking Video & Voice Calls

In some countries, a VPN can help remove some of WhatsApp’s partial blocks. For example, the UAE and Qatar have blocked WhatsApp’s voice and video calling feature. However, you can still use its text messaging feature. You can connect to a VPN server where WhatsApp is available in its entirety, and this will allow you to access all of WhatsApp’s features, not just its text messaging feature. This will enable you to have uninterrupted and seamless communications with your friends and loved ones.

4) Preventing ISP Throttling

ISP throttling can hinder internet performance and cause it to perform slower than usual. It slows down your internet speed, making your calls sluggish and more prone to getting disconnected. VPNs can help prevent this issue by encrypting your internet traffic and concealing your IP address from your ISP, which will prevent them from throttling your connection. Investing in a VPN allows you to have all your browsing sessions at fast speeds without your ISP impacting or ruining your experience.

Why Is AstrillVPN the Ideal Choice for WhatsApp?

When choosing the best VPN for WhatsApp calls, we recommend AstrillVPN. Here’s why AstrillVPN is our top pick and how its features meet the criteria when selecting the best VPN for WhatsApp:

1) Privacy & Security

AstrillVPN offers many excellent security features, ranging from a Kill Switch feature to Smart Mode. Astrill VPN also uses obfuscation so that your VPN connection will appear as regular internet traffic that doesn’t get blocked by government agencies and authorities. It also offers industry-standard DNS leak protection and AES 256 encryption.

It also provides robust encryption protocols like OpenVPN, StealthVPN, and Wireguard, some of the most popular protocols offering fast speeds and reliable connections. Wireguard is a widely known protocol that offers fast speeds and prevents call disconnections and interruptions, ensuring a seamless WhatsApp calling experience. If you disconnect from the VPN, AstrillVPN’s Kill Switch feature prevents data leaks.

2) Extensive Range Of Servers

AstrillVPN has a wide range of servers in the world’s major regions, with 300+ servers across 57+ countries, giving you many server locations. You can easily connect to a region that allows you to access WhatsApp and its features. The more servers there are, the easier it becomes to bypass geolocation restrictions and censorship. Plus, more servers mean that specific servers won’t be overloaded with so many users, allowing you to have seamless WhatsApp calls without disconnections.

3) Reliable Customer Support

AstrillVPN offers excellent customer support, with their technically adept customer support team available round the clock to promptly answer all your queries and issues. They are also available through different modes of communication, including phone, live chat, and email. AstrillVPN offers additional support to help you navigate the app, which includes an AstrillWiki, with helpful tools and resources to help you use the app and its many features. It also has a dedicated FAQs page; however, if you’re looking for more in-depth guidance, it would be better to contact the customer support team.

4) Compatibility With Different Operating Systems

AstrillVPN is compatible with multiple devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You can download the AstrillVPN app on your iPhone or Android, and this will allow you to stay connected with your loved ones on WhatsApp regardless of where you’re located. AstrillVPN also allows five simultaneous connections, allowing you to extend its privacy and security features across all your devices.

5) No Logs Policy

AstrillVPN adheres to a strict No Logs policy, which means it does not keep tabs or store the data you shared or the websites you visited while using the VPN. Your browsing history and data will automatically get deleted once you log out of the VPN. If you’re someone whose privacy and security are the topmost priority, then this is just the feature you need. You can read about AstrillVPN’s No Logs policy in detail by reading their privacy policy, which clearly states this.

What Should I Do If WhatsApp Isn’t Working With A VPN?

If you’ve installed a VPN and begun using it, but you find that you’re still unable to access WhatsApp, then there are several reasons why this may be happening, including:

• Your cookies and cache have revealed your exact location.
• Your chosen VPN provider doesn’t offer obfuscation.
• You have an outdated WhatsApp application.
• Your ISP detected and blacklisted your VPN server.

Here’s how you can effectively troubleshoot these issues:

• Go to your VPN application and check the server you’re connected to. Some countries block complete access to WhatsApp, so make sure you’ve connected to servers in countries like Australia, the UK, and the USA, where WhatsApp and its features are readily available.
• Check for any DNS leaks. If a specific server isn’t working as well as it should, then it’s highly likely that you’re experiencing an IP or DNS leak. WhatsApp has complete access to your real location, which has ultimately blocked WhatsApp for you. Switching to a different server will resolve the issue.
• If nothing else seems to work, and you’ve updated your WhatsApp and VPN applications and cleared your WhatsApp cache, then it may be time to contact your customer support team, as they can offer more in-depth guidance.

Is It Legal To Use A VPN For WhatsApp?

Using a VPN for WhatsApp is not against the law; therefore, it is legal to use VPN. However, this also depends on the country you’re trying to access WhatsApp. Currently, it is legal to use a VPN to access WhatsApp in the UAE; however, in the past, there have been strict regulations when it came to the usage of VPNs and telecommunication services like WhatsApp.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE had rules to control the use of VoIP services to protect local telecommunication services in the country. However, many people in the UAE still use VPNs to access VoIP services despite the implementation of these restrictions.

In some other specific countries, using a VPN to access blocked content and services can violate the terms and conditions of the service provider as well as the laws of the country, and there can be penalties for using VPNs to access restricted content. If you’re considering using VPNs to access WhatsApp in specific countries, research the legal implications and the risks involved. Research all the current laws and regulations regarding VPN usage in that particular country before using the VPN. Ultimately, if using a VPN to access blocked content in a specific country is legal, then there’s nothing to worry about.

Wrapping Up

WhatsApp is banned in many countries, including China, the UAE, and Qatar. So, if you live in these regions or are visiting, you won’t be able to use WhatsApp completely or gain access to some of its essential features, like voice and video calling. Using a premium VPN like AstrillVPN can help you unblock WhatsApp and access all its unique features so that there are no obstacles to connecting with your loved ones no matter where you are.

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