Does YouTube work in China?
YouTube in China: did not load in 6 of 6 OONI tests from China, 8 September to 8 October 2026.
Short answer (8 October 2026): Not on a local Chinese network. YouTube's website did not load from China in 6 of 6 OONI tests (8 September 2026 to 8 October 2026). A small sample can mislead, and a website test is not an app test.
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What the data says
| Service | Result | Loaded / tests |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube (youtube.com) | Did not load | 0 / 6 |
| Google Search (www.google.com) | Did not load | 0 / 42 |
| TikTok (international) (tiktok.com) | Did not load | 0 / 30 |
| Netflix (netflix.com) | Loaded | 26 / 26 |
An anomaly signals possible blocking, not proof. A website test does not show whether the app or an account works. Method and all services: What works in China.
YouTube is a Google service. Airalo lists YouTube among the services that are generally inaccessible on local networks in China (Airalo help page, read 14 October 2026, vendor statement). The OONI count is small, so treat it as a signal.
What to do
- Install YouTube and sign in before you fly.
- Use an eSIM that routes data outside China, and turn hotel Wi-Fi off. Compare options in best eSIM for China.
- For a laptop on Wi-Fi, see internet in China for tourists and VPN for China.
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Other apps: Instagram, Gmail, Google Maps, Zoom, Facebook, ChatGPT, Telegram, X (Twitter), TikTok (international), WhatsApp.