Internet & Connectivity · common
¿Por qué Google Maps no funciona en China?
Last updated:
⚠️ SYMPTOM
Google Maps muestra tu punto azul pero no carga los mapas, o no carga en absoluto.
🔍 MOST LIKELY CAUSE
Los servidores de Google están bloqueados por el Great Firewall. Google Maps es totalmente inaccesible desde China continental sin una VPN.
✓ HOW TO FIX
Usa Amap (高德) o Baidu Maps dentro del mini-programa de Alipay — ambos tienen interfaz en inglés y funcionan con tarjetas SIM extranjeras. Apple Maps también funciona en China continental desde iOS 16+.
Read next
Maps (Amap / Baidu)
Google Maps does not work in China. Use Amap (高德) or Baidu Maps for navigation; both have English interfaces inside the Alipay mini-program.
VPN for China
Astrill, LetsVPN, and NordVPN are the most reliable VPNs in China in 2026; install before arrival because the App Store blocks downloads inside China.
Other Internet & Connectivity problems
Why is WhatsApp blocked in China?
WhatsApp won't send or receive messages — texts stay on one check, voice/video calls fail.
Why is my VPN suddenly slow or disconnected in China?
Your VPN worked for the first 3 days and now it disconnects every 10 minutes, or pages load at dial-up speeds.
Why is my VPN not working in China?
You arrived in China, opened your VPN, and it will not connect at all or connects but no traffic loads.
Why can't I access Google, YouTube, or WhatsApp in China?
Every Google service, YouTube, and WhatsApp fail to load or time out on any Chinese Wi-Fi or mobile network.
Why is my foreign phone not getting data in China?
Your foreign SIM shows signal bars but mobile data does not work, or you got an SMS saying "no data roaming agreement."