How to Use OneDrive in China?
Is OneDrive blocked in mainland China? Do you know how to use OneDrive in China? It seems OneDrive isn’t working in China as i can’t get access to Microsoft OneDrive. Is Microsoft OneDrive blocked by the ‘Great Firewall of China’? Yes, not only One Drive, but almost all cloud providers have been blocked by the Great Firewall of China, majority of Chinese Cloud providers as well. To use OneDrive in China, you need a reliable VPN. Learn more details below.
Can’t Use OneDrive in China?
OneDrive is a type of online file-hosting service platform operated by Microsoft allowing you easily backup, store and share photos, videos, documents, and more. It first called SkyDrive, Windows Live SkyDrive, and Windows Live Folders and is available in 107 languages. You can put your files synced to a PC and accessed from a web browser or a mobile device, you can also get your files and data shared publicly or with specific people. It is very convenient for users to use it, what is more, OneDrive offers 5 GB of storage space free of charge. Of course, if users need additional storage to be added you need go through subscriptions in order to enjoin other Microsoft services including Office 365 and Groove Music.
Unfortunately, users in mainland China are not able to use OneDrive normally. No matter you are a Chinese or foreigner there, the ISPs, firewall and government will not allow you to use this app. Sometimes, you can’t load its website on browser while the website is not completed. Some words are missing. Some buttons are disabled. You won’t be able to use it for messaging. In most cases, its app and website do not load. Only error is shown. Official blocking reasons have not been given by the service or the Chinese government yet. You have to bypass the government censorship to use OneDrive in China.
Why OneDrive Has Been Blocked in China?
OneDrive became a great cloud storage service and spread throughout the globe since it was born. People use it to share files and data. As the ISPs are allowed to sell users’ personal data to the third parties without users’ permission, most users prefer OneDrive because of the end-to-end encryption. However, the service has been banned by Chinese government.
Why would they block such a useful and popular services? Like other cloud services, such as Dropbox, OneDrive has a blotch service in China for it has some problems in its function, some features work and some don’t. The main onedrive.live.com does not open without a VPN service. So if you wan to use the OneDrive app on mobile phone and use Windows 10 on your desktop to keep the app and desktop do stay in sync, you need to launch a VPN service. That is the way for you to access your files via both routes. Obviously, the Chinese based cloud services such as Baidu work fully, but they aren’t available in English. Luckily, We can find a way out to use OneDrive in China.
In fact, China is not the only countries that blocked OneDrive. Some governments and law enforcement agencies argue that it allows activists, journalists, dissidents, criminals and terrorists to use the app to secretly communicate.
How to Use OneDrive in China?
Now China has banned OneDrive, what other options are there for people who live or stay in China? It has been somewhat blocked, depending on the area you live in. For example, if you use Hong Hong network connection then OneDrive is working fine, when you use China Unicom’s network in ShangHai or Beijing, you may not be able to connect to OneDrive. Good news is that people can use Microsoft OneDrive in China by installing and setting up a VPN, which means OneDrive is going to come back unblocked.
It is well-known that the Great Firewall of China blocks millions of foreign websites/apps/services in mainland China and the condition is not getting better. To unblock those contents, VPN has become a popular tool among China Internet users. It is universally acknowledged that this firewall is the most advanced and complicated one on the earth. The government is very strict on Internet censoring and also shut down many famous China-based VPN companies. For those VPNs outside mainland China, they block the websites or apps. Therefore, picking the right VPN is very important in unblocking OneDrive.
How Does A VPN Work to Unblock OneDrive in China?
In China, most of the western or the widely used applications on the Internet are blocked. These have given the local internet company a chance to spread in the domestic market because the people have only these local websites and application to use. This is one of the strongest reasons why China is not allowing all the critical applications to run on the internet. Being one such application, OneDrive, also known as your personal internet cloud cannot be used with the help of the Chinese ISPs while you are in China. You will require to either get out of the Chinese border or to avail the services of the different servers that are residing near but not in China. However, is this possible? Yes. Virtual private network: Connecting you with the outside servers secretly. Since China has banned OneDrive, you will need to use a VPN service. How can a VPN defeat it? Before that, we need to know how firewall works to block users’ connections. Basically, geo-blocking technologies trace the user’s real IP address which reveals users’ location. Once the firewall detects your location in mainland China, your connection to OneDrive will be interrupted with an error saying site can’t be reached. You need to check the firewall. If you don’t have a VPN, it is still not working after you check the firewall unless your location is not in China. The VPN not only spoofs your location, but also encrypts your online sessions. The government and ISPs will not know what you are doing on the Internet. So using a reliable VPN is safe.
Steps to Use OneDrive in China
Step 1: Select a desired VPN provider.
Step 2: Subscribe to that VPN and connect to a US/HK server.
Step 3: Now open OneDrive on your device.
When is the Right Time to Install a VPN?
You may when you should install VPN to use OneDrive in China. First of all the user is required to find the suitable VPN in China and then register on the website. The most famous and most stable VPN is ExpressVPN that is used in China. If you are planning to move or travel to China, you can sign up a VPN before you leave your country. It is because many services have been blocked there. You can’t download an app in Google app store. Some famous VPN websites also are banned. You also can’t contact your computer expert friends for help via Facebook or Twitter. Get everything ready before the trip to make sure that everything goes well.
If you are already in China, some VPN services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and AreaVPN can also be accessed in this country. There are fewer options for users who are already in the country as the powerful firewall has blocked most of the VPN services. When selecting a VPN for China, please be aware that not all VPN services work in China. Many well-known VPN providers are blocked or disrupted in China. Pick the right VPN so that you can use OneDrive in China anytime you want.
Tips for Unblocking OneDrive in China with VPN
With the right VPN, there is something you should keep in mind to get perfect experience with OneDrive in mainland China. How to Use OneDrive in China 2018?
1. Choose the best VPN servers for China.
Most VPN services offer a number of VPN server locations for their subscribers to select. When using a VPN in China, you are suggested to choose those VPN servers that are close to China in order to get the fastest speed. For example, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong all are good options. If you need to connect to a VPN server in the U.S. for special purpose, pick the one from the west coast such as Los Angeles and San Francisco as they are closer to China.
2. Choose the best VPN protocols for China.
The Great Firewall of China has been updated with sophisticated technology to detect and block VPN traffic in China. The right protocol is the key to escape from the block because some VPN protocols are easier to get detected while others are more difficult. According to security experts, OpenVPN works better than PPTP. It will be great if your VPN provider offers special protocols like StealthVPN which is designed specifically to bypass VPN blocking. You should always choose it.
Guide to Set Up VPN on Android
1. Unblock the device screen. Tap the Settings icon and select “More” under Wireless & Networks.
2. Select the VPN option on the Wireless & Networks screen.
3. Tap the “+” button and enter the VPN’s details. Give a name to help you remember which VPN is which into the Name field. Then, select the type of VPN server you’re connecting to, and enter the VPN server’s address.
4. Tap the VPN to connect once you finish the setup. You are allowed to choose from the multiple VPN servers configured and switch between them from the VPN screen.
It requires your VPN username and password to login when you connect. If you think it’s inconvenient to enter detail every time, you can save this account information for next time. While connected to a VPN, you will see a persistent “VPN activated” notification in your notifications drawer. To disconnect, tap the notification and tap Disconnect. In this way, you can use OneDrive in China on Android freely.
Best VPNs for China or Other Prohibited Countries
| VPN Brands | Key Features | Jurisdiction | # of Connections | Price(USD) | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best-in-class 256-bit AES encryption and 1500+ VPN servers in 94 countries. | British Virgin Islands | 3 Connections | $6.67/Month | Visit Site | |
| 40,000+ shared IPs, 1,000+ VPN servers in 60+ countries. | USA | 5 Connections | $6.49/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 2643 servers in 56 different countries. | Panama | 6 Connections | $3.29/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 70+ global servers Locations. | Switzerland | 3 / 5 Connections | $5.00/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 700+ VPN servers in 34+ countries. | Israel | 3 Connections | $2.49/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 30+ locations and Unlimited bandwidth. | Malaysia | 5 Connections | $4.99/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 750+ VPN servers in 140+ countries. | Hong Kong | 5 Connections | $2.04/ Month ( | Visit Site | |
| Unlimited Bandwidth with 300+ VPN Servers. | Seychelles | 3 Connections | $3.33/Month | Visit Site | |
| Unlimited access to over 200 servers for you to choose from in 69 countries. | Bulgaria | 6 Connections | $4.92/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| Unlimited Bandwidth & 2000+ IPs in 50+ Countries. | USA | 5 Connections | $5.95/Month | Visit Site | |
| Servers in 30+ locations around the globe. | Germany | 1 Connection | $4.99/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| Unlimited and free servers switches in many countries. | Italy | 5 Connections | $4.32/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 3034+ Servers in 28 Countries. | USA | 5 Connections | $2.91/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 28 Servers in 8 Countries. | USA | 3 Connections | $4.19/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 100+ Servers from 47 Countries in 63 locations. | Romania | 1 Connection | $1.10/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| Over 1000 Servers Worldwide. | Romania | 1 Connection | $1.99/Month ( | Visit Site | |
| 46 Cities in 25 Countries, Zero Logs. | USA | 1 Connection | $5.83/Month ( | Visit Site |
Detail of Some VPNs
ExpressVPN:
ExpressVPN is the most powerful VPN service in the world, it is also one of the most popular VPNs using by people all over the world, because its trusted, secure functions. It has has Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows applications. It’s superfast and extremely safe, boasting an SSL-secured network with 256-bit encryption and, get this, unlimited bandwidth and speed. All its plans are fully refundable and covered by 30 days money-back guarantee. No questions asked.
Get ExpressVPN Special Deal: 12 Months + 3 Months FREE (Save 49% OFF)
PureVPN:
PureVPN is a Hong Kong based VPN service, it provides a one-stop solution for online security, anonymity and privacy that guarantees the fastest VPN speed and highest level of security worldwide by providing you with 750+ servers in 140+ countries across the globe. You can enjoy complete web freedom with the industry leading encrypted e-privacy and e-security.
Get 2 Years of PureVPN For The Price of 1 (Save 75% OFF)
NordVPN:
NordVPN is one of the best VPN services that still work in China. It has a strict zero log policy and uses two security protocols: OpenVPN with 2048-bit SSL encryption and the 3072-bit IKEv2/IPsec, which is currently the most secure protocol available in the market. Additionally it supports 6 connection at the same time with 2643 servers in 56 different countries. What’s more, the NordVPN service is based in Panama, which has no data retention laws, meaning that none of your data is recorded, stored or passed to anyone.
Get NordVPN unlimited VPN service for only $3.29 per/month! (Save up to 72% OFF)
Conclusion
Know how to use OneDrive in China right now?
OneDrive is a great service opereated by the Microsoft could. Neither can I get access to iCloud drive http://www.onedrive.com nor http://onedrive.live.com without a VPN from Beijing and ShangHai, they have been blocked by GFW. Apparently the Great Firewall of China is turning out more stronger than before and all non-Chinese cloud services are similarly blocked. The OneDrive website is blocked in China, if you have already installed Onedrive and want it continues to work, a secure, reliable, and affordable VPN provider is required to bypass the block. A VPN will encrypt all of your device’s Internet traffic and route it through an intermediary server in a location that you choose. That prevents your ISP and government from recognizing the content or destination of your Internet traffic. You can use OneDrive in China by using a reliable VPN. What are any VPN recommendations? Well, ExpressVPN is stable and reliable with high ratings that is your best choice and still work in China.