Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social platforms for businesses (especially ecommerce and brands) to grow their audience and gain visibility. But if you’re in China, you’ll discover that Instagram is inaccessible due to being banned. I wasn’t aware of this when I landed in Beijing and tried to post a story of my arrival.
Nothing loaded. No feed, no DMs, or even the login screen. I couldn’t even post the client’s content on time or research new ideas for reels since my business tools weren’t connecting to Instagram either.
But thankfully, I tried some methods and they worked. I tested multiple ways to unblock Instagram in China, and the most reliable and secure one turned out to be proxies. This guide shares exactly how I got Instagram working without a VPN (even tried a VPN as well), and why you might want to do the same if you frequently access Instagram in China for your business or even personal use.
Why You Might Need Instagram in China
1. Content Creators Living or Traveling in China
If you’re a digital nomad, travel blogger, or photographer, not being able to post or manage your Instagram in China is a major issue. You need Instagram not just for fun, but for work too. Your business depends on it.
2. Business Owners & Marketers Running Ads
Instagram ads (Facebook ads in general) are one of the most cost effective ways to increase brand visibility, make sales or generate more leads by reaching literally the entire world’s audience. But you can’t run ads, manage, preview, or monitor their performance if Instagram is blocked on your device.
3. Influencers Communicating with Brands
I’ve always reached out to influencers via their DMs for my clients. If you’re an influencer or a business based in China you need access to Instagram.
4. Social Media Managers & Agencies
Managing global accounts for multiple means needing 24/7 access to Instagram, no matter where you’re located. Chinese agencies cannot offer social media management services to their clients and it also affects their other marketing efforts and workflows.
So the question becomes: how do you use Instagram in China?
Why is Instagram Blocked in China?
Instagram has been blocked in China since 2014. The platform was restricted after the Hong Kong protests when some of the users shared protest photos and updates via Instagram. It was considered a threat by Chinese censors, and they’ve banned it ever since. A lot of other communication and social apps like Whatsapp etc are also part of the same bandwagon.
As of now:
- Instagram.com is unreachable in Chinese networks.
- The Instagram app won’t load content or let you log in.
- Even Facebook’s ad dashboard often fails to load properly in browsers.
Can I Use Instagram in China?
Yes, you can use Instagram and other blocked platforms in China but not with a regular internet connection. Due to China’s Great Firewall, Instagram is completely blocked unless you use a method to reroute or mask your IP address.
Over the past few months, I’ve tested three main methods:
- VPNs (worked sometimes, but not reliable)
- Free proxy sites (public proxies from the web)
- FloppyData Proxies (the most stable and secure solution)
Let’s explore each one in more detail to see which one fits your use case.
1. Using VPNs to Access Instagram in China (High Risk, Low Reliability)
VPNs are usually the first thing people think of since VPN apps are easily available (even have free versions). They route your traffic through encrypted tunnels to other countries. In theory, this should work… and it does but here are some problems.
In China, VPNs are a risky bet:
Why VPNs Often Fail in China
- Blocked VPN Services: China blocks many VPN domains and services. You might not even be able to launch the app.
- Unstable Connections: If your VPN drops (and it often does), your real IP is exposed. This can trigger Instagram security flags and also shows your activity to your internet service provider (ISP).
- Slow Speeds: The encryption overhead and long-distance routing make VPNs painfully slow, especially for images and video. Your scrolling experience will not be seamless in many cases.
- Security Concerns: Many VPNs rely on third-party infrastructure, and you never really know who owns the servers. Some even log and sell your browsing data so you have to be cautious. The only solution is to use reliable, but paid VPNs.
After dealing with disconnects, inconsistent access, and IP bans, I stopped trusting VPNs for daily use (not just in China, but for my business in general) because VPNs can sometimes expose your activity to your internet service provider (ISP).
2. Using Public Proxy Sites to Unblock VPN in China (Free, But Unstable)
There are dozens of “Instagram unblocked sites without VPN” services out there. They act like a middleman by loading Instagram through a proxy server and sending it to you. This in theory should work, just like VPNs.
I tried a few free and publicly available proxies, and here’s what I found:
Why Free Proxies Aren’t Worth It
- Extremely Slow: Most of these sites barely load the Instagram homepage, let alone media or stories. This is because countless people are using the same proxies.
- Malicious Ads: I encountered popups, redirections, and sketchy ad links that could be dangerous.
- Data Risks: Free proxy sites may log your activity or inject scripts into your browser. Furthermore, several users are using the same proxies, putting your data and location at high risk.
- Inconsistent Access: You will not always stick to one proxy (since it can expire or be clogged with active users making it slow). This frequent change in IP address due to change in proxy server can flag your Instagram account for fishy activity.
If you value your privacy (and device security), I’d avoid these altogether.
3. Unblock Instagram in China Using FloppyData Proxies (Recommended)
Protected, safe and reliable proxies are my go-to option to access my business tools, social media and other platforms that help me with my business operations. When I turned on my proxy and launched Instagram (with a US location), Instagram finally worked without any issues.
FloppyData proxies routes your traffic through clean, private IPs in different countries (protected, secure and reliable servers). To Instagram, it looks like you’re browsing from New York, London, or anywhere else you choose. The best part is, the proxies are very consistent and you can always access a tool from one of multiple locations based on your needs.
Why FloppyData Proxies Work Best
- Pages and media load quickly, especially with datacenter proxies.
- You’re not sharing with random users. The IPs are private, clean and trustworthy.
- Mobile and residential proxies mimic real users, so they’re hard for Instagram to flag.
- You can configure proxies directly in your device or browser.
How to Set Up Proxies to Unblock Instagram
- Create a FloppyData account at floppydata.com.
- Pick a location where Instagram isn’t blocked (e.g., USA, UK).
- Copy your proxy details (IP, port, username, password).
- Configure the proxy in your device or browser settings.
Now launch Instagram and it will now work as if you’re outside China.
Explore FloppyData’s proxy types and use cases for more information.
Sometimes Instagram features (like music, ads, or reels) vary by region. If you want to:
- Access reels/music only available in the US
- Run geo-targeted ad campaigns
- View region-specific content
…you need to change your Instagram region.
Just select the country from FloppyData’s proxy dashboard and apply it to your device or browser. Instagram now thinks you’re in that country. It’s that simple.
No VPN required.
FloppyData Proxy Types: Which One Should You Use?
Choosing the right proxy depends on how and where you use Instagram. Here’s a breakdown of each FloppyData proxy type and when it makes the most sense to use them:
| Proxy Type | Best For | Why It’s Great | Considerations |
| Residential | Creators, Ad Managers, Desktop/Mobile | High stealth, real ISP IPs, great for ad campaigns & posting | Slightly more expensive than others but reliable |
| Mobile | Frequent Travelers, Mobile Users | Real 4G/5G IPs, perfect for Reels, Stories, app access | Limited supply, higher per-GB cost |
| Datacenter | Fast Browsing, Desktop Users | Fast speeds, budget-friendly for browsing & uploads | More detectable than other proxy types but cheapest proxy |
You can explore all proxy types here and pick what suits your Instagram use best.
Is Using Instagram Legal in China Through Proxies?
Using a proxy is not illegal for personal browsing or content posting. However:
- Respect platform terms of service.
- Don’t use proxies to impersonate or spam.
- Avoid free proxy services that log or leak your data.
FloppyData uses encrypted connections and offers clean IPs that haven’t been abused. Your connection does not drop midway so you are safe. Furthermore, refrain from posting any problematic content that can get you in trouble. Only use it for personal or business use in good ways.
Final Thoughts: My Go-To Instagram Unblocker
FloppyData Proxies are a clear choice for businesses, influencers, creators and individuals who want to use Instagram to its full capacity for their growth.
They’re fast, safe, work on mobile or desktop, and allow full Instagram access—DMs, Reels, Stories, Ads, and more.
So if you’re:
- A creator who needs to post
- A marketer managing ads
- A social media manager on the move
You don’t need a VPN, you need FloppyData.
