If you're traveling to or staying in China, it's now easier to keep using the apps you rely on every day — WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, and more. Bloomy VPN now supports VLESS, a new connection protocol designed to maintain connectivity even on networks where access is often restricted. If you have an active plan, you can get your connection settings right away from your account page — no extra fees, no plan changes required. In this article, we'll cover what's new in this update, plus how to prepare your connectivity before a trip to China, including when to use an eSIM, a VPN, or both, and what to check before you depart.
- New VLESS support helps keep your connection stable
- Just grab your connection settings from your account page
- No extra charge — works with your current plan
- If you'll rely on local Wi-Fi, pairing it with a VPN adds peace of mind
- Set up and test your connection before you depart
What's in this update
This update includes three main improvements. All of them work with your current VPN plan — no additional steps or fees required.
- Support for a new connection protocol (VLESS): This protocol is designed to maintain connections even under the network restrictions seen in some regions. If the previous protocol didn't work well in your environment, having an additional option improves your chances of getting connected.
- Get your connection settings from your account page: Active subscribers can retrieve their connection settings instantly from the VPN section of their account page. Simply scan a QR code or copy and paste into a compatible app — no complicated manual entry. We've also included guidance on which apps to use.
- Easier server selection for your destination: With use from China in mind, nearby servers such as Tokyo and Singapore are now easier to find and select. In general, choosing a server that's physically closer reduces latency and makes for a smoother experience.
Why we made this improvement
It's well known that some international apps and services can be difficult to reach from mainland China. Maps, search, social media, and messaging apps — the services you use every day at home — tend to be the most affected. This is especially true when using local Wi-Fi at hotels, schools, or cafes, where travelers often worry about things like not being able to open a map or reach family back home.
Conventional VPN protocols can become unstable in these environments. Even if you set up a VPN before departure, it doesn't bring much peace of mind if it's hard to connect once you arrive. That's why we've added a protocol designed to hold connections more reliably, aiming to get you closer to that feeling of using your usual apps as normal, wherever you travel.
How this helps you (common scenarios)
- Business trips: Stay on top of email, chat, and other work communication even on hotel Wi-Fi. The more time-sensitive your work, the more a stable connection matters.
- Study abroad and long stays: Even if your daily life runs on local networks and Wi-Fi, it's easier to stay in touch with friends and family back home and keep up with news. The longer your stay, the more time you'll spend on Wi-Fi — and the more often a VPN comes in handy.
- Travel: Maps, translation, social media — the apps you depend on while exploring become easier to use. Sharing photos and looking up local information feels closer to how it does at home.
Connection reliability can vary depending on local network conditions and the time of your visit, and we cannot guarantee connectivity in every environment. Local network conditions and regulations may also change. Please check the latest situation before you travel, and if you have trouble connecting, try switching servers.
Preparing your connectivity for China: eSIM vs. VPN
This is a good time to answer a question we often hear before trips to China: should you get an eSIM, a VPN, or both?
In general, international roaming eSIMs route traffic through networks outside mainland China, so they tend to be less affected by local network restrictions (this can vary by plan and routing). Local Wi-Fi at hotels and schools, on the other hand, goes through networks inside China and is fully subject to those restrictions. That Wi-Fi scenario is exactly where a VPN helps most.
| Connection method | Impact of network restrictions | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| International roaming eSIM | Generally less affected (varies by plan) | Short trips spent mostly out and about, phone-first travelers |
| Local Wi-Fi + VPN | VPN helps work around restrictions | Long hotel stays, extended visits, laptop-heavy work |
For short trips, an eSIM alone is often enough. For longer stays or a Wi-Fi-centered lifestyle, adding a VPN gives you extra peace of mind. Making good use of Wi-Fi also helps you conserve your eSIM data, so we recommend combining the two based on how you'll be spending your time. You can find related topics in our IP & VPN article archive.
What to do before you depart
After arriving in China, some app stores and services can be hard to reach, which can make it difficult to download the apps you need. Taking care of the following before you leave home means no scrambling after you land.
- Finish your VPN setup before departure: Retrieve your connection settings from your account page and load them into a compatible app while you're still at home.
- Do a test connection: Testing the connection at home makes it much easier to troubleshoot if you have trouble connecting after arrival.
- Agree on backup ways to stay in touch: Share multiple channels — email, messaging apps, and so on — with family or colleagues in advance for peace of mind.
- Install your eSIM ahead of time: If you're using an eSIM, tap the setup link you receive and complete installation before you depart, then simply switch the line on when you arrive. See the setup guide for detailed steps, and use the device compatibility checker to confirm your phone supports eSIM.
What to know about data-only eSIMs
Bloomy's international eSIMs are data-only. App-based calls that run over data — WhatsApp, FaceTime, and similar — work as usual. What you won't have is a phone number for regular voice calls or SMS. If you need your home phone number for things like bank SMS verification, be sure to also look into options for keeping that number active. Plans are subject to a fair use policy, and actual speeds vary with the local network, your device, and your location. You can browse plans for China by data amount and duration on our eSIM comparison page. Available plans, pricing (in USD), and terms may change, so please confirm the latest details at the time of purchase.
Who should add a VPN — and when an eSIM alone is enough
The short answer: it comes down to how much you'll rely on Wi-Fi during your stay.
A VPN is a good fit if you:
- Spend a lot of time on local Wi-Fi at hotels, dorms, or schools
- Are staying long-term — studying abroad or on assignment — and want a dependable line back home
- Do a lot of Wi-Fi-based work, like laptop tasks or video meetings
An eSIM alone is often enough if you:
- Are on a short trip spent mostly out and about, using only your phone
- Mainly use mobile data for maps, translation, and social media
If you're unsure, it's perfectly fine to start with just an eSIM and add a VPN later, once you know your stay will be longer or more Wi-Fi-centered than expected.
What to do if your connection seems slow or unstable
Connection quality can vary with local network conditions and the time of day. If you're having trouble, try these steps in order:
- Switch servers: Changing to a different server, such as Tokyo or Singapore, can often help.
- Reconnect: Disconnect the VPN in the app, wait a moment, and connect again.
- Try a different network: If hotel Wi-Fi isn't cooperating, switching to mobile data via your eSIM can change things — and vice versa.
If you're having trouble with your eSIM connection, see our connectivity troubleshooting guide, and if that doesn't resolve it, reach out through our contact page.
What we focused on, the Bloomy way
Our top priority was keeping things simple. You don't need to memorize protocol names or understand how they work — just grab the settings from your account page and load them into the app. We're also committed to being honest: we won't promise guaranteed connectivity, because conditions genuinely vary. And when something goes wrong, our support team is there to help.
What's next
We'll keep tuning connection stability and clarity of our guides based on real-world usage. While we can't promise features that aren't finalized yet, we're working step by step toward an experience where even first-time international travelers never feel lost. You can follow our progress on the development updates page.
Related pages
- Account page (get your VPN connection settings here)
- eSIM comparison page (search by destination, data, and duration)
- eSIM setup guide
- eSIM device compatibility checker
- IP & VPN article archive
- FAQ
The information in this article is current as of July 2026. Service details, connectivity, and local network conditions are subject to change. Please check each page for the latest information.
