How to Use Telegram in Saudi Arabia (Fully Tested in 2024)
If you’re in Saudi Arabia, you’re not allowed to use Telegram to call your friends and family back home. The country restricts VoIP apps like Telegram and FaceTime to protect local telecom providers and ensure that the government can monitor all online activities.
Using a top VPN is the fastest way to access Telegram in Saudi Arabia and call your loved ones. However, only a few VPNs have servers in the country and even fewer can keep you anonymous online and protect your data from hackers and other third parties.
After testing 30+ VPNs, I recommend ExpressVPN because it has ultra-fast speeds for lag-free and high-quality Telegram video calls in Saudi Arabia. Better yet, you can buy ExpressVPN with confidence as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get ExpressVPN for Telegram in Saudi Arabia
Note: I don’t condone using VPNs to access Telegram in Saudi Arabia or break the law. This article is for informational purposes only. Use caution and review all rules before you connect. Never use VPN apps to hide crimes, violate copyright, or bypass censorship.
Quick Guide: How to Use Telegram in Saudi Arabia in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. ExpressVPN is the best for using Telegram in Saudi Arabia because it can access the site reliably and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a server. I recommend using one located in Egypt or Pakistan to get the fastest speeds for smooth Telegram chats and calls.
- That’s it! Now it’s possible to use Telegram seamlessly from anywhere, even in Saudi Arabia where it’s restricted.
Use Telegram in Saudi Arabia with ExpressVPN
Why Was Telegram Banned in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Arabian government banned Telegram in 2013 to protect local telecom providers and monitor its citizens’ online activities. The bans were a response to national protests, suppressing political dissent with strict monitoring of social media apps.
Telegram keeps you anonymous with encryption and refused to give data to the Saudi government. As a result, the government blocked Telegram as it had no way of monitoring Saudi residents’ activities while using it.
Get ExpressVPN to access Telegram in Saudi Arabia
Telegram Ban Lifted With a Twist
Starting in 2017 the Saudi government eased restrictions on Telegram and other VoIP services like Skype. That means you can use Telegram for online calls in Saudi Arabia, but the government will monitor your messages and calls on the app.
That defeats the entire purpose as Telegram prides itself on being a secure communication tool with end-to-end encryption and a “secret chat” option. As a result, the best way to anonymously use Telegram in Saudi Arabia is with a reliable VPN.
The VPN Solution for Telegram in Saudi Arabia
1. ExpressVPN — #1 Overall VPN With Fast Speeds and Leak Protection for Secure Telegram Chats in Saudi Arabia
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries globally, including Egypt and Israel
- 256-bit military-grade encryption, kill switch, RAM-based servers, and a no-logs policy
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, Android, routers, and more
- Chat securely on up to 8 devices at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee backs all subscriptions 100%
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for anonymous Telegram calls in Saudi Arabia. Its proprietary Lightway protocol gives you ultra-fast speeds for high-quality video calls. Its TrustedServer network ensures zero logs, which have been verified by 3 independent security audits by KPMG and Cure53.
I had incredible average speeds of 97Mbps with ExpressVPN and had flawless video calls on Telegram. Even on an Australian server 10,000 miles away, my connection didn’t drop below 93Mbps. That’s because ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol has less code than older protocols, making it efficient for high-bandwidth activities like HD Telegram video chats.
Your Telegram calls and messages are completely anonymous with ExpressVPN. It uses RAM-only servers that have volatile memory and are physically incapable of storing your data, so no third party can know what you’re saying. Besides that, ExpressVPN offers:
- Military-grade encryption — uses a 256-bit cipher to encrypt your Telegram data and make it inaccessible to hackers and other third parties.
- Kill switch — disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection is lost due to a power outage, preventing your real IP address from being exposed.
- Leak protection — prevents your data from sneaking past the VPN tunnel to ensure your IP address remains hidden.
- No-logs policy — ensures your data can’t be accessed by anyone but you even if requested by authorities.
You can use ExpressVPN on 8 devices simultaneously. Installing it on my Windows PC, Macbook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone took less than 5 minutes. The interface was consistent across all apps, making it easier for me to switch between desktop and mobile since I use Telegram on both.
One small problem with ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than its competitors. However, it’s well worth your investment as one of the top VPNs you can find. Lightning-fast connections and state-of-the-art security and privacy features make ExpressVPN the best choice for Telegram users in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it can also access other VoIP services blocked in the country, such as:
| FaceTime | Skype | Viber | |
| Messenger | Discord | Snapchat |
You can get ExpressVPN at a reduced price if you buy its 1-year + 3 months plan. With a monthly price of $6.67, it has a 49% discount. All subscription types let you buy ExpressVPN with confidence since they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. To test it, I submitted my refund request via 24/7 live chat and the agent approved it within a minute, and I got my money back in just 4 business days.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Get ExpressVPN for Telegram now
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. NordVPN — Double VPN Encrypts Telegram Data Twice to Completely Hide It in Saudi Arabia
Key Features:
- 6,300+ servers in 110 countries and locations in the UAE, Israel, and Turkey
- DNS leak protection, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and RAM-only servers
- Compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS
- Unblock Telegram in Saudi Arabia on up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Try it risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN’s Double VPN servers encrypt your Telegram data twice, making it virtually impossible for anyone in Saudi Arabia to intercept it. It routes your traffic through 2 separate servers so even if your traffic is intercepted on one, it’ll appear to be coming from another VPN server rather than your actual IP address. NordVPN also secures your Telegram data with:
- Perfect Forward Secrecy — generates a new encryption key with every Telegram message you send or receive for an extra layer of privacy.
- Onion over VPN — routes your Telegram data through both the VPN server and TOR to make your chats even harder to track.
- Obfuscation — bypasses Saudi censorship of Telegram by making VPN data look like regular internet traffic.
Its NordLynx protocol uses minimal resources for speedy connections and reliable Telegram video calls in Saudi Arabia. I tested 20+ servers in the UAE, Israel, and Turkey and got average speeds of 81Mbps, plenty for uninterrupted video chats on Telegram on multiple devices.
You can choose from 6,300+ servers in 110 countries including like the UAE, Turkey, and Israel. To access Telegram in Saudi Arabia I suggest connecting somewhere in North America or Europe as these regions have no internet restrictions.
This VPN could also instantly unblock Netflix US and other channels, as well as every social app during testing. They include:
| FaceTime | Messenger | Snapchat | |
| Skype | Viber | Discord |
I asked a live chat support agent about the policy on speed throttling, and got a prompt response that it never manipulates your speeds. For more complex queries, I suggest email since a chat agent may have to ask someone else. I got an email reply after almost 24 hours, whereas ExpressVPN’s email support responded in just 3.
A small issue with NordVPN is that its Onion over VPN servers reduces your speeds. But this isn’t a big deal since if yours are slow, a single layer of military-grade encryption will still ensure that NordVPN effectively hides your Telegram data.
You can get NordVPN’s 2-year + 3 months plan at a 69% discount, and low prices on short-term plans make it one of the top affordable monthly VPNs. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. I used 24/7 live chat to ask for my refund, and got my money back after 5 business days.
VPN works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
3. PrivateVPN — Dedicated IP Addresses for Uninterrupted Anonymous Telegram Calls in Saudi Arabia
Key Features:
- 200+ servers in 63 countries globally like the US, UK, Canada, and more
- Military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection protect your chat data
- Easy to use apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
- Use Telegram on up to 10 devices at once
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PrivateVPN’s dedicated servers give you reliable access to Telegram in Saudi Arabia. These special servers are available in 14 countries and assign an IP address exclusive to you, so you don’t have to share bandwidth with other users. This gives you fast speeds and stable connections to avoid being cut off during Telegram calls.
The dedicated IP server in Toronto gave me the lowest ping of 27ms and speeds of 93Mbps. It was more than enough to video call my friend in the UK on Telegram. A regular server in Toronto averaged 85Mbps, still enough for doing multiple video calls on Telegram without quality drops and freezing.
I ran tests on 20+ servers and found no DNS, IPv6, or other types of data leaks. PrivateVPN blocks this type of potentially unencrypted traffic to ensure it doesn’t reveal your real location. It also includes advanced security and privacy features like a kill switch and:
- Military-grade encryption — Encrypts your Telegram traffic with a powerful cipher used by government agencies to protect confidential data
- Secure VPN protocols — Choose between OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, and IKEv2 to customize your speed and security using Telegram
With PrivateVPN, you can use Telegram on 10 devices simultaneously. Most VPNs become unstable when you use too many connections at once, but PrivateVPN didn’t. I used it on a Windows PC, iMac, Macbook, 2 iPhones, an iPad, and an Android phone without the apps getting stuck or slowing down noticeably.
My only reservation with PrivateVPN is its more limited network than other VPNs on this list. However, it still has good coverage with 200 servers in 63 countries, so there are plenty of secure server locations to use Telegram anonymously in Saudi Arabia. Despite its limited coverage, PrivateVPN can access nearly all the VoIP services blocked in Saudi Arabia like:
| Skype | Viber | Discord | |
| Snapchat | FaceTime | Messenger |
After researching all its subscriptions, I recommend PrivateVPN’s 3-year plan as it only costs $2.00 per month. If you’re unsure about committing, you can test PrivateVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I told the live chat agent I chose a different VPN and he approved my request immediately. The money came into my account 5 days later.
PIA is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.
Get PrivateVPN for Telegram now
2024 Update! PrivateVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.00 per month with the 3-year plan (you can save up to 85%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
FAQs on Using Telegram in Saudi Arabia
Is it safe to use Telegram in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, as long as you use a top VPN like one from this list. Each of the best VPNs for using Telegram in Saudi Arabia can access Telegram on multiple platforms with military-grade encryption and other security and privacy perks.
Without a top VPN, third parties will have access to your messages and your connection will be visible to hackers. That’s why I recommend using your VPN’s settings to prevent Telegram’s app from opening without encryption when it is turned on. Just keep in mind that I don’t condone using a VPN to hide criminal activity on Telegram or violate censorship rules.
Can I use a proxy to access Telegram in Saudi Arabia instead of a VPN?
Maybe — but they aren’t always fast, reliable or safe like the solid VPNs for accessing Telegram that I tested. Unstable servers with weak or no encryption are common with proxies, and you never know what proxy operators do with your data since they don’t usually have zero-logs policies.
A VPN gives you super-fast speeds and reliable Telegram unblocking, plus fast speeds for lag-free video chat with friends or family. Since some proxies can even be decoys to put malware on your devices, they’re not worth the risk.
Can I use a free VPN to access Telegram in Saudi Arabia?
No, since they can’t usually get past blocks. But even if they could, free VPNs are too restricted and risky. Even the best free VPN providers limit your data too much for anything more than some basic Telegram messaging, and others have annoying ads and speed throttles so video chat is impossible.
Worse yet, lots of free VPNs have poor security and log your data, which puts you at risk. Others infect your device with malware or track you online. Instead, just use a premium VPN like CyberGhost for free with its money-back guarantee. With the 2-year + 2 months plan you can get a quick refund when you’re done as long as the 45-day window hasn’t closed.
That way, you avoid the irritating limits and security risks of free VPNs. Anything that’s “free” usually comes with a hidden cost in the form of tracking you online and selling your data.
Use CyberGhost for free with Telegram
Final Word on Using Telegram in Saudi Arabia
The only way to use Telegram in Saudi Arabia without being monitored is by using a VPN. This way, you can securely and privately watch UK TV shows, and then claim a refund once you have finished using it. It also protects your devices from cyber thieves who love exploiting weaknesses in public WiFi in Saudi Arabia.
However, most VPNs don’t have powerful enough security and privacy features to keep your Telegram activity anonymous. I picked the best ones with advanced security and privacy essentials like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection.
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for Telegram in Saudi Arabia. It provides blazing-fast speeds for seamless video calls and ensures your activities on the app are untraceable, protecting your right to talk to friends and family back home. You can also buy ExpressVPN with confidence because it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee — if you change your mind, you can get a refund.
