Steam is the go-to digital gaming distribution service for users all across the globe. With over 30,000 games ranging from AAA to indie, live broadcasts, workshops, chats, reviews, achievements, and much more, Steam is without a doubt the leading distribution platform in the gaming community.
Amidst much controversy, at the end of 2021, it was revealed that the global Steam service had been blocked in China. This leaves gamers in the country with a stripped Chinese-only version of Steam that offers a fraction of the games and features. Many users are unstandably angered at this new restriction and are scrambling to find a way around the blockade.
If you’re someone who lives in or is travelling to China and you want full access to the gaming distribution service, then you’ve come to the right place! We have a helpful trick that allows you to spoof your location and appear to be accessing the gaming service from outside of China. And the best part? It only takes a few minutes to set up!
Did you know? In September 2021, Steam reached a peak of over 26 million concurrent users!
| VPN Provider | Rating | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost | Best value for money | Get CyberGhost | |
| ExpressVPN | Premium VPN | Get ExpressVPN | |
| Private Internet Access | Great VPN, good value | Get PIA VPN |
How to access Steam in China quick guide
Keep reading to discover how to access Steam in China in 2023 using a VPN.
- Choose a VPN
To unblock steam, you need a VPN with a large network of servers, military-grade encryption, and obfuscated servers. A VPN we highly recommend for this is CyberGhost!
- Install client
After you’ve selected a VPN, download the client on your PC or phone. Once downloaded, open up the client to see a list of the VPN’s servers.
- Connect to a server
You need to connect to a VPN that’s located outside of China. Now, your real IP address will be hidden and replaced by the server’s.
- Head to Steam
Steam will now be unblocked, allowing you to play games on all your VPN-protected devices from within China!
Top tip – If Steam is still blocked after following these steps, then try clearing your browser’s cache and reconnecting to a different server.
Use CyberGhost* to access Steam now!
Why is Steam blocked in China?
The Chinese government is notorious for severely regulating video gaming, as they deem the activity to be unhealthy for young citizens. The authorities have periodically been introducing new restrictions including barring under 18’s from playing video games for more than one hour a day, or preventing them from playing on any day other than Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Most recently, in late December 2021, a data miner revealed on Twitter that Steam was blocked in China. This left users in China with only the Chinese version of Steam, which launched in February 2021 and offers a limited library of only 103 games. By blocking the global Steam service, China can gain almost full control over what games are being played by citizens, allowing them to further limit access to minors and restrict ‘inappropriate’ content.
What is the best VPN for unblocking Steam?
To circumvent Steam’s blockade and access the service from China, you need a highly secure and reliable VPN. Your chosen VPN should use military-grade encryption, obfuscated servers, and have a wide selection of available server locations. To protect your privacy and remain completely anonymous online, you should also opt for a VPN that has a strict no-logs policy (you can discover more about useful VPN features here!). A VPN that provides all this and much more, making it our top recommendation, is CyberGhost!
CyberGhost
CyberGhost’s impressive connection speeds, stringent no-logs policy, and premium-quality encryption make it the optimal VPN for unblocking Steam in China. If your priorities are maintaining online anonymity and protecting your privacy in heavily regulated environments, this provider should be at the top of your list.
This VPN operates thousands of servers across over 90 countries, rendering it ideal for unblocking Steam. When you connect to a server located outside of China, your IP address is hidden, spoofing your location and thereby circumventing China’s Steam blockade. CyberGhost offers the ability to disguise VPN usage, ensuring you can safely bypass VPN-blocking firewalls while also disguising your data packets to keep your ISP in the dark about your VPN use.
CyberGhost leverages military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard user data. This encryption standard is supremely secure and virtually unbreakable. To enhance user protection, this VPN includes additional advanced security features like a kill switch, a tool that sever your internet connection completely if it detects an unexpected interruption. This guarantees your real IP address remains concealed even for a moment. CyberGhost users also enjoy benefits such as automated HTTPS redirection, optional data compression, and protection against malicious websites.
A single CyberGhost subscription allows up to 7 simultaneous connections. The app is compatible with all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Other supported devices include Android TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Raspberry Pi, and other Smart TVs. If you want to unblock Steam on your gaming consoles, you can install CyberGhost on your router. This way, all devices under your home network can be connected and protected using a single device slot.
For any inquiries, you can connect with CyberGhost’s 24/7 customer support team. You can also visit the support center for common queries and tutorials, or check out the official CyberGhost blog for guides, tips, and tricks.
In conclusion, CyberGhost is a highly recommended VPN for safely navigating around China’s restrictions and accessing Steam from within the country. This VPN ensures that all users stay anonymous online and keeps them shielded from being identified by authorities, their ISP, or third parties. Furthermore, CyberGhost’s rapid speeds enable you to play games through Steam with minimal lag or buffering, giving you an unmatched gaming experience, even from within a highly censored country like China.
If you’re still on the fence, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test the service risk-free!
FAQS
Steam appeared to be blocked in China on 24th December 2021. This was first brought to attention by a popular leaker and data miner through his Twitter account.
Steam is fortunately not blocked in any other countries. Although, some gaming titles are banned from the website in certain, restricted areas.
Other websites blocked in China include Google, YouTube, Wikipedia, Pinterest, WhatsApp, Zoom, Instagram, and Twitter.
No! Although frowned upon, using a VPN in China is completely legal. However, many VPN websites are inaccessible in China, so we recommend that, if possible, you install a VPN on your device(s) before you enter the country.