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Old Mar 11, 2024 | 11:52 am
  #1  
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Using Skype without VPN

During my previous trips to Chengdu, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai I have never been able to login to Skype at all.

Maybe because I was staying at Hotels with a slow internet connection.

Is it actually possible to use Skype without VPN in China. I am aware that I have to install it before I fly to China.
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Old Mar 11, 2024 | 6:24 pm
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I didn't know Skype still existed. Assuming it does, I am not surprised if the net nannies don't care about it.

I use GV myself, which is blocked, presumably simply because it is part of Google and/or runs on Google servers (i.e. not for endangering social harmony). It works pretty well though, as long as your connection is solid.
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Old Mar 12, 2024 | 3:31 am
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I had no issues using Skype a few months ago without VPN.

WhatsApp even works now without VPN, although with no media transfers (pictures).
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Old Mar 12, 2024 | 4:42 am
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Originally Posted by mlin32
WhatsApp even works now without VPN, although with no media transfers (pictures).
Was that through an internet connection or through mobile data?
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Old Mar 12, 2024 | 6:49 am
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Originally Posted by narvik
Was that through an internet connection or through mobile data?
Both. Hotel Wifi and chinese SIM.
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Old Mar 14, 2024 | 8:58 am
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Here in Handan, I can receive messages on Whats App, message only, no media, without a vpn by using my mobile data or wifi......to view media I still need a little bit of help..........I have also used skype earlier today to speak to my mother in the uk, once again no vpn, although the connection did get a bit patchy once or twice....
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Old Mar 15, 2024 | 1:51 am
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Yesterday in the Hotel in Chongqing I opened cn.bing.com via the Brave Browser to reinstall Alipay.

I was taken by surprise, because suddenly the Google Play Store opened with full access.

In the EU nowadays Alipay is gone from the Google Play Store.

The chinese Skype Version available for download via the official source seems to not have been updated since mid 2023.
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Old Mar 15, 2024 | 1:55 am
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It's much faster/easier to find APK files for apps you want and side load them.
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