Tunnelz

China trip guide

Can you watch Netflix in China?

Not reliably. Netflix isn’t offered in mainland China, and it stops playing when it detects a VPN or proxy. Download shows in the Netflix app before you fly and watch them offline; that’s the way that works.

Updated

  • With a VPN on

    Netflix can show an error saying you seem to be using a VPN or proxy, and won’t play until you turn it off.

  • Downloaded before you fly

    Watch your shows offline in the Netflix app. That’s the way that works.

Fig. 01
Netflix isn’t offered in mainland China. On ad-supported plans, it doesn’t support VPNs at all.

Why Netflix doesn’t work there

Netflix is available in more than 190 countries, but not in mainland China. With a VPN on, Netflix can show an error saying you seem to be using a VPN or proxy, and won’t play until you turn it off. On ad-supported plans, Netflix doesn’t support VPNs at all.

Download before you fly

  1. 1. Update the Netflix app on your phone or tablet and stay signed in. Downloads only play while you’re signed in.

  2. 2. Download at home, on good Wi-Fi. Ad-free plans allow up to 100 downloads per device at a time; ad-supported plans allow 15 a month.

  3. 3. Expect some to expire. Some titles expire a while after you download them, or after you start watching. Download a few extra.

Fig. 02
Download before you fly.

What people in China watch

Chinese services such as iQIYI, Tencent Video and Youku stream films and series on Chinese networks, some with English subtitles.

What people in China watch

  • iQIYI
  • Tencent Video
  • Youku
Fig. 03
Chinese streaming services, some with English subtitles.

Where Tunnelz fits

Tunnelz isn’t a way to stream Netflix in China. Netflix stops playing when it sees a VPN, and Tunnelz is a VPN. Download your shows at home, and use Tunnelz on your Mac for the rest: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube on hotel Wi-Fi, through your own server.

Not what Tunnelz is for

  • Netflix

What it’s for on your Mac, on hotel Wi-Fi

  • Google
  • WhatsApp
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Fig. 04
What Tunnelz does and doesn’t do for you in China.

Questions

Is Netflix available in China?
No. Netflix is in more than 190 countries, but not mainland China.
Does Netflix work with a VPN in China?
Don’t count on it. Netflix stops playing when it detects a VPN or proxy, and ad-supported plans don’t support VPNs at all. Download shows before you fly instead.
Can I watch Netflix downloads in China?
Yes. Downloads play offline as long as you stay signed in to Netflix. Some titles expire after a while, so download a few extra.
How many Netflix shows can I download?
Ad-free plans allow up to 100 downloads per device at a time. Ad-supported plans allow 15 downloads per device each month.

Sources