Get NordVPN to Work in China on iOS or Mac With This Guide

While NordVPN claims to work in China, many people have complained that it hasn’t always been the case. My team and I found that it’s possible to use NordVPN in China on iOS and Mac platforms — but there are extra steps you’ll need to follow to do so. I’ve listed out the full step-by-step instructions below.

If you’re not technically savvy or you don’t like wasting your time with additional steps, I strongly suggest you consider ExpressVPN instead. Based on tests, ExpressVPN has proven to be a highly-reliable, secure and fast VPN for China. You don’t have to manually set up anything on the dedicated Mac and iOS apps either — it’s all automatically configured for you. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

Try ExpressVPN for China risk-free

To successfully use NordVPN in China on Apple devices, you’ll need to complete the following steps.

For iOS:

1. Manually set up an IKEv2 connection on your device.
2. Connect to IKEv2 and use the internet as normal.

For Mac:

1. Enable obfuscated servers on your device.
2. Connect to the specific servers (don’t worry, we’ve listed them below).
3. Enjoy unrestricted internet on Mac.

Here is a full breakdown of the previous steps so that you can use NordVPN in China on your iOS and Mac devices.

How To Get NordVPN Working In China On iOS Devices

How To Get NordVPN Working In China On Mac Devices

To connect your Mac devices to NordVPN in China you’ll first need to activate the obfuscated servers feature.

According to NordVPN’s customer support, you’ll need to then connect to one of the following servers:

• France # 280-285, 295-302
• Japan # 135, 150-164
• Netherlands # 253, 256
• Singapore # 132-133, 138-139, 141-150
• United States # 2440-2451, 3057-3058, 3167-3170, 3279-3283, 3285-3286

If you’re still unable to connect to these servers, it’s essential that you then disable the obfuscated servers feature and attempt to connect to one of the following servers instead:

• United States # 3351-3388
• Serbia # 6-25
• Australia # 353-354
• Czech Republic #61-62
• United Kingdom #1060-1063

Now, if for some reason you’re still not able to connect or find any of the above servers, you’ll need to log out of your NordVPN account and then try signing back in.

You can try finding the servers by clicking on the magnifying icon and searching for a country with a server name, for example, the United States #2442.

How a VPN Works in China

The Chinese Government, in its efforts to guard against Western influences, implements stringent censorship regulations. These regulations extend to the online realm, leading to the blocking of a substantial volume of content.

When visiting the country, you will also need to adhere to these stringent laws, leading to limitations on your internet freedom. Access to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google searches will be restricted, as China has labeled numerous sites as inappropriate for viewing.

While my team and I don’t condone participating in illegal activities, there have been no public cases of foreigners being penalized for using a VPN to date. The common practice is that China fights VPNs by technologically blocking these services, rather than chasing after visitors who use them. However, it’s still best to exercise caution if you decide to use a VPN within China’s borders.

NordVPN Not Working on iOS or Mac? Try ExpressVPN in China

Key Features:

ExpressVPN stands out as a top-tier VPN service tailored for Mac and iOS users, with a particular focus on navigating the challenges of China. Its servers are fortified with the highest level of encryption, coupled with integrated safeguards against leaks. This dual approach ensures the confidentiality of your online activities while effectively circumventing the rigorous constraints imposed on internet access. With a resolute commitment to a no-logs policy, your browsing history remains beyond surveillance, storage, or disclosure to any external entities.

You’ll have access to a massive network of 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries. While speeds are consistently fast worldwide, you’ll have the most reliable connections on servers neighboring China (like Japan and South Korea).

ExpressVPN is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can buy it with confidence. If you don’t like it, you can get a refund in the first 30 days with no questions asked — just contact the customer support team via 24/7 live on the website or send an email to support@expressvpn.zendesk.com. I tested the refund policy myself and the money returned to my account in just 5 days.

Get the Best China VPN for iOS and Mac

While NordVPN works in China on iOS and Mac devices, it’s not straightforward, and you’ll have to jump through a few hoops to gain full access.

If you’re genuinely looking for a service that doesn’t require you to set up a manual connection or test out a bunch of different servers, I recommend you try ExpressVPN for China.

ExpressVPN is on par with NordVPN when it comes to privacy and protection, yet it does one-up NordVPN when it comes to China. You can download it as a backup option to NordVPN — it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you’re not satisfied.