Is Spotify Blocked in China in 2026? 

Spotify is blocked in China, but I have an easy way to access the popular music streaming service. Here’s how.

I use a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass China’s block and can stream all my favorite music on Spotify in China.

Key takeaways

1. Spotify is a popular music streaming service.
2. The Chinese government blocks access to certain apps, including Spotify.
3. You can unblock Spotify and enjoy all your favorite songs with a little help from a quality VPN provider, like ExpressVPN.

What is Spotify?

If you’ve never used it before, Spotify is a popular music streaming service that is basically a music lover’s dream. It gives you access to millions of songs, albums, playlists, and even podcasts, all in one place. Instead of downloading songs, you just listen to whatever you want, whenever you want.

I like it because it’s super easy to use. You can search for new music, follow your favorite artists, or let Spotify do the work by recommending playlists based on what you listen to. There’s a free version with ads, or you can upgrade to a Spotify Premium subscription that removes ads and offers an offline mode so you can listen without an internet connection. Just log in once a month so Spotify determines that you’re still active.

Spotify’s content is a little different in every country, and it’s even blocked in some locations. The good news is that with the right VPN provider, you can access everything from your home country, no matter where you are.

Is Spotify blocked in China?

Yes, Spotify’s service is blocked in China. That’s because the Chinese government engages in strict internet censorship through what’s commonly known as the Great Firewall of China. If you want to access Spotify in China, you still can, but you’ll need help from a premium VPN.

Spotify determines a user based on their IP address. That means if you want to listen to Spotify from China, where the service is blocked, you’ll need to hide your real IP address. That’s where your VPN provider comes in.

When you use a quality VPN to connect to a server outside of China, it hides your real IP address and VPN usage, so it looks like you’re accessing the internet from a different region, and you can enjoy unrestricted access to Spotify’s service.

How to choose the best VPN to unblock Spotify in China

Not all VPNs have what it takes to get past China’s Great Firewall, so you can access Spotify. Here’s how to pick a good one:

1. Geo-spoofing. If your VPN can’t effectively hide your real IP address and VPN usage, you don’t have a chance against China’s Great Firewall. Look for VPNs that have a strong track record for accessing blocked sites as well as obfuscation.
2. Speed. Without enough speed, you’ll likely experience buffering or dropped connections while streaming music, so look for a fast service provider.
3. Security and privacy. The Chinese government won’t protect your privacy online, but a good VPN service will. You want your data encrypted with AES-256-bit military-grade encryption and a service with an independently verified no-logs policy, a kill switch, and strong leak protection.
4. Server network. If you want access to all of Spotify’s content libraries, you’ll want a VPN service with a broad network of servers. Look for servers close to China for the best speed.
5. Compatibility. Make sure the VPN apps are user-friendly and compatible with your preferred music streaming devices.
6. Customer support. I recommend getting a service with 24/7 live chat support and a money-back guarantee.

Our recommended VPN to unblock Spotify in China

1. ExpressVPN

I recommend using ExpressVPN to unblock Spotify in China. All of its servers are obfuscated, meaning there’s no special configuration needed for use in China, and its speed and reliability make it perfect for listening to your favorite songs and podcasts, no matter where you are.

Features: I love everything Express has to offer, from its Threat Manager, ad blocker, and parental controls for extra security to the split tunneling and dedicated IP addresses. It’s also got an impressive server network of 3000+ obfuscated VPN servers in 105 countries, so it’s easy to access Spotify content from any country.

Speed: The speeds I got during testing were truly impressive, holding on to an average of 90% or better of my baseline speed, which, in real-world terms, means you can count on quality listening for your Spotify music and podcasts.

Privacy and security: The Chinese are known to engage in internet surveillance. With ExpressVPN, your data is encrypted with AES-256military-grade encryption, and you’ve got an independently verified no-logs policy, an automatic kill switch, and reliable leak protection in place to ensure your privacy.

Performance: ExpressVPN doesn’t just let you enjoy uninterrupted music on Spotify; it also works well for streaming movies, gaming, torrenting large files, and more.

Streaming: On top of listening to songs on Spotify in China, ExpressVPN lets you access geo-blocked content libraries from all over the world on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Just connect to a VPN server in the country where the show you want to watch is playing before you start streaming, and geographical restrictions will be a thing of the past.

Compatibility: One of the biggest perks of ExpressVPN is its ease of use. It’s got user-friendly apps for Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, and macOS devices, and you can connect between 10-14 simultaneously, depending on your subscription plan, so you can easily switch between your computer, mobile devices, smart TV, and more.

Pricing: The long-term basic package is available for $3.49/month. It comes with a 30-day trial and 24/7 live chat support. Express accepts all major payment methods.

Websites, apps, and services that are blocked in China

Here’s a taste of what’s blocked on Chinese soil.

Video sharing and streaming platforms

I needed a VPN to access these streaming sites:

• BBC iPlayer
• Daily Motion
• Netflix
• Pandora Radio
• SoundCloud
• TikTok
• Vimeo
• YouTube
• Twitch

Apps

Certain apps are blocked, including:

• Discord
• Google Play
• Telegram
• Messenger
• Viber
• WhatsApp
• Line

Work and Productivity Tools

I relied on my VPN to access blocked tools like:

• Dropbox
• Gmail
• Slack
• Zoom

Search engines

These search engines are blocked:

• Google
• DuckDuckGo
• Yahoo

Social media

I needed my VPN to access social media sites such as:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Quora
• Snapchat
• Twitter
• Tinder

Can I use a free VPN for China?

The free VPN services just aren’t cut out for China. Most aren’t powerful enough to get past China’s Great Firewall, so you won’t be able to access blocked sites, like Spotify.

The free services also don’t typically offer the high-end privacy and security features that you need for China. Some may even sell their users’ data for profit!

FAQ

Can I use Spotify in China with a VPN?

Yes. You can access Spotify while in China with a high-quality VPN, like ExpressVPN. Just connect to a server in a different region, and you’ll be able to play all your favorite tunes from your home country without getting blocked.

Is it legal to unblock Spotify in China with a VPN?

Using a VPN to unblock Spotify falls into a legal gray zone. It’s common in practice, but not technically permitted unless it’s a Chinese-approved VPN service.

Since most VPN providers are blocked, it’s important to set up your VPN before you arrive, and to use a premium VPN service.

Conclusion

You don’t have to give up on listening to your favorite songs just because the Chinese have blocked Spotify.

With a reliable VPN, you can still listen to Spotify from anywhere. The key is choosing a VPN service that actually works and getting everything ready ahead of time so you’re not stuck when you land. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN service for unblocking Spotify.