Using WhatsApp in Russia is a real issue. In the UAE, VoIP services are among the most censored apps. This time, it’s no different, given Russian attempts to block WhatsApp nationwide. So, does this mean you can’t make calls and chat in your favorite app? Precisely!
We can agree that it feels depressing. After all, WhatsApp offers an excellent chatting experience paired with end-to-end encryption for privacy. However, it appears the authorities are against that, which is why you can’t access WhatsApp in Russia. Or can you?
The good news is that you can! This article demonstrates how to unblock WhatsApp in Russia with a VPN. It also outlines the best VPNs for using WhatsApp privately and answers a few more fundamental questions. Below is all you need to know; scroll down.
How to Unblock WhatsApp in Russia?
Using a VPN for WhatsApp yields many benefits, including unblocking audio and video calls, privacy, and the ability to use the app in all countries. Russia is a censored region, and its censorship applies to VPNs. To translate, the majority of VPN services won’t work properly in this country.
That is, unless a VPN uses obfuscation, which actively masks your VPN connection.
The best provider in this aspect is NordVPN, which we recommend if you want to use WhatsApp in Russia in 2025. It offers obfuscated servers, unlimited bandwidth, top-tier security, and a no-log policy, ensuring maximum privacy when chatting and calling.
Click the button above to get started. Thanks to our NordVPN coupon, you can save over 70% on any biennial plan. We suggest the Basic plan, as it’s the least expensive and sufficient to access WhatsApp in Russia.
Using WhatsApp Freely in Russia With NordVPN
We’ll assume you subscribed to NordVPN. If you clicked the button above, you only had to pick the plan, provide a payment method, and leave your email. With this in place, you must install NordVPN, and given its ten simultaneous connections, you can do so on multiple devices.
Now, launch NordVPN and sign in to your account. The main dashboard will appear:
To unblock WhatsApp in Russia, you have to swap your Russian IP with one abroad.
NordVPN offers servers in 125+ countries, so pick any. Avoid Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc., as they also block VoIP services. To demonstrate how to access WhatsApp in Russia, we connected to a server in Austria through the server list. After a click, NordVPN informed us it’s connected:
We tested if WhatsApp worked on our Windows 11 computer, and the results below speak for themselves. Having tested WhatsApp in Russia on our iPhone and Samsung (Android) phone, we confirmed that NordVPN was capable of unblocking the VoIP service.
What If My VPN Isn’t Working?
Not being able to access WhatsApp in Russia is a common issue, even with a VPN.
If this happens, you have several options, but we recommend manually enabling obfuscation. NordVPN offers special obfuscated servers, which you can use for VoIP services or any other blocked website. To access them, click Specialty Servers and find Obfuscated Servers.
You can click them to connect to the fastest one; it should look like this:
With obfuscation officially ON, try to download and use WhatsApp in Russia again. It should work flawlessly. If this method fails, you can try more common fixes, such as:
- Using a different protocol, such as OpenVPN TCP
- Enabling a kill switch to prevent IP leaks
- Using the NordWhisper protocol for bypassing network filtering
- Disabling anti-malware and antivirus software that interferes with the VPN
- Updating your VPN client
- Using a different server
- Reaching customer support for additional help
We have an extensive guide on how to fix various VPN problems. Generally, you shouldn’t have issues using WhatsApp in Russia with NordVPN, but if they appear, they’re easy to solve. If you’re still struggling, consider NordVPN alternatives, many of which we presented below.
Best VPNs to Use WhatsApp in Russia Privately
Don’t take your privacy lightly in Russia. The censored country is famous for its government surveillance and espionage. Its attempts to clamp down on the freedom of speech aren’t coincidental. Russian authorities want total control over the internet space in Mother Russia.
Since VPNs are frequently targeted, it’s essential to emphasize ones that truly work. We have three excellent picks that can still unblock WhatsApp in Russia in 2025:
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Built-in VPN obfuscation
- Servers based on RAM
- GCM encryption ensures security
- Audited no-logging policy for privacy
- Unrestricted traffic and speed
Con
- Renewal cost could be lower
NordVPN was our pick of the litter. It’s the best overall VPN, with over 8,000 servers in hundreds of locations. The VPN uses powerful obfuscation to sidestep any firewall, so it’s no wonder it also works in China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, and other similar regions.
The VPN excels in security. It offers 256-bit GCM encryption to keep you safe. Extras include Double VPN servers for two encryption layers, a kill switch to keep leaks away, and NordWhisper, a protocol designed for overcoming network filtering. NordVPN also has Threat Protection Pro.
This feature, available in the Plus plan, cleans up malware, trackers, and ads plaguing your experience. NordVPN’s privacy is admirable, especially with a verified no-log policy that guarantees that nothing sensitive ends up on the server. The rest of its offers are excellent.
For instance, NordVPN is also used for streaming on Netflix, downloading torrents, and roaming the dark web. Users employ NordVPN on their Xbox consoles to play games lag-free, although PlayStation users are no less impressed. Price-wise, NordVPN is very affordable.
Two-year plans at 70% off are your best bet. However, NordVPN includes annual plans for those wanting shorter commitments. A 30-day money-back guarantee covers all plans, ensuring a risk-free purchase for new users. Test NordVPN below and explore its flagship features.
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- Very easy to use
- DNS leak protection
- Fast connection speed
- Torrenting is supported
- Audited logless policy
Cons
- It could be cheaper
- Not many advanced features
ExpressVPN also works with WhatsApp in Russia thanks to dependable VPN obfuscation.
The provider offers over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, making it easy to access WhatsApp anywhere. Some people even use WhatsApp in Iran with it, let alone countries like Turkey, China, Russia, and others. ExpressVPN’s performance is otherworldly with the Lightway Turbo protocol.
Connect through it and enjoy the full power of 10 Gbps servers. More impressively, ExpressVPN’s security ensures safe WhatsApp chatting and calling. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN relies on bank-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch.
The package is amplified by a verified zero-log policy, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy that assigns unique encryption keys to each connection. As one of the top VPNs for Russia, ExpressVPN is a jack of all trades, so torrenting, streaming, and gaming are in the basket.
ExpressVPN offers excellent discounts for newcomers who desperately want to unblock WhatsApp in Russia. A two-year plan at 61% off and four free months is the right pick. With a 30-day refund policy, 24/7 support, and eight simultaneous connections, it’s almost on par with NordVPN.
Are you excited to access WhatsApp in Russia with a click? You should be: it’s a game changer!
3. Surfshark
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Ad blocker (CleanWeb)
- Antivirus for all devices
- MultiHop servers
Cons
- Not the fastest VPN
- The Starter plan lacks some features
Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that offers instant WhatsApp unblocking in Russia. How so?
Like NordVPN, Surfshark uses obfuscation aptly named NoBorders. Launch the app, enable NoBorders, and connect to a server. Surfshark will mask your VPN traffic, making it look like a regular one. In turn, you’ll be able to download and use WhatsApp in any country worldwide.
Surfshark’s low prices don’t compromise its quality. Unlike the previous two options, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. Its innovative security stems from MultiHop servers, periodic IP rotation for more privacy, and the CleanWeb ad and tracker protection.
If you spend more on its Surfshark One plan, you can use antivirus, an anonymous browser (Search), and dark web monitoring (Alert). Surfshark even lets you create a fake identity to conceal your original whereabouts with its Alternative ID feature. Okay, but what about privacy?
Don’t fret. Our Surfshark review praised its crystal-clear no-log policy and the lack of IP and DNS leaks. The VPN supports all devices, offers 24/7 support, and is priced at just about two quid monthly. Bottom-shelf pricing for the cake with delicious icing. Get started through the link below.
Will Free VPN Services Work?
They’re not guaranteed to work, but you’re free to try as many as you’d like.
We have tested likely over forty VPNs in Russia, most of which were paid. When we tested free VPNs, we struggled to connect, likely due to their lack of obfuscation and properly optimized protocols. Free VPNs aren’t designed to overcome censorship and geo-blocks.
They’re optimized for quick and easy security and privacy, which often doesn’t involve streaming, using VoIP services, gaming, etc. You can check Proton VPN and Hide.me and see if you have any luck unblocking WhatsApp in Russia. If you do, great; but you likely won’t.
Remember that free VPNs offer a limited experience, so expect fewer security features, possible data logging, no simultaneous connections, a lack of streaming/torrenting support, and more. Set your expectations straight to avoid, or at least mitigate disappointment (if at all possible).
Using WhatsApp in Russia: Final Considerations
The government’s plan to suffocate freedom of speech and impose all-around surveillance persists. However, you can choose not to participate by unblocking WhatsApp in Russia through NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark. Again, it’s fundamental to choose a VPN that works in Russia.
We gave you our top three VPN choices, but we can’t guarantee that every VPN outside this list will work. Either way, the workaround is shorter than this guide. Subscribe to a VPN, connect to an adequate server abroad, and use WhatsApp in Russia for text messaging and audio and video calls.
