Your iPhone is a capable device, however, ISPs and governments can impose website restrictions that unfairly block off whole sections of the Internet. But, with installing an iOS-compatible VPN app, you can also bypass these geoblocks to access censored content. And blocked websites beneath an impenetrable wall of anonymizing encryption as well. In this article, we are going to talk about How to Unblock Websites on iPhone or iOS. Let’s begin!
If you’re at work, school, or traveling, then many times you just want to access some websites with your iPhone. Maybe it’s social media, maybe YouTube, or maybe a P2P network – however, then you find it’s blocked. Mostly, many websites and apps are blocked with firewalls thrown up via your workplace or school. Or, they’re geo-restricted via the area you’re in. If it’s simply an inconvenience or a real problem that avoids you from getting work done, there’re some easy ways in order to access blocked sites from your iPhone. Here we’ll show you exactly what to look for and how you can unblock websites on iPhone.
VPN | Unblock Websites on iPhone
Before selecting a VPN, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. There are a lot of VPNs out there that say things such as, “#1 voted” (they all are), “fastest VPN” (I guess those are, too) – as well. Many look exactly the same and it can instantly get confusing. We’ve taken the guesswork out for you via putting together a list of qualities that all good VPNs should have, and also run tests (recorded elsewhere) to make sure they were up to par.
Have a look at that list of criteria:
- Device compatibility – You’re here to find out how you can unblock sites on your iPhone, so the VPNs we showcase have to provide support for your device. All of the providers below also have apps for iPhones.
- Speed – VPNs also have a reputation to slow down your connection. Each of the VPNs we chose managed to rack up good connection and bandwidth speeds. That helps you stream, download, and browse easily.
- Encryption – In order to keep your information safe and private, as well as help you get around firewalls, you need strong encryption. Every VPN on our list here has 256-bit AES encryption – top-of-the-shelf stuff.
- Zero-logging policy – Your normal ISP (or school/work/hotel/etc.’s) can see and log all your online activity. With a VPN hides this from them, but you have to make sure that your VPN isn’t logging your traffic, too. All of our picks have strong zero-logging policies actually. So nothing can be traced back to you – since nothing of worth is recorded, to begin with.
Best VPN
Well, with the above criteria in mind, we scoured the VPN market for the best iPhone-compatible apps in order to unblock any blocked or censored websites. We came up along with the following list in order to make comparison shopping easier for you:
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN basically has the number top trait you need: software availability for iPhone. Beyond that, they’re one of the fastest on the market, along with unlimited bandwidth, no speed caps or throttling, and also zero restrictions on P2P networks or torrents as well. This means you guys get buffer-free streaming, fast downloads, and seamless browsing as well. And if you wanted to watch Netflix, Hulu, or one of the other streaming services that are mostly blocked, ExpressVPN is great to get through to them, as well.
With this provider, you guys get military-grade 256-bit AES encryption along with 5 security protocols. That can help you get through just each and every firewall. You also get a DNS leak test, in order to make sure you’re completely secure, and you can connect more than 3 devices.
At last, ExpressVPN has a large network, 3,000+ strong, located in 94 countries. They’re actually based out of the British Virgin Islands, so they’re exempt from major surveillance agreements and are outside of UK jurisdiction as well. They also have a sturdy zero-logging policy too, so even if they were forced to divulge any records, they don’t have anything that can actually identify you.
NordVPN
NordVPN basically has advanced features that appeal to Apple iOS users. Alongside 256-bit AES encryption along with 5 protocols, you get specialty servers, too. If you like to torrent, NordVPN also offers servers optimized for P2P. Or maybe you like to access streaming services such as Netflix that employ VPN-blockers: NordVPN has servers dedicated to beating shared IP blacklists. So you can get through any blocked content as well. Alongside these advanced features, you also get DNS leak tests and fantastic 24/7 customer support too.
NordVPN’s logging policy is one of the best in the business and they don’t log traffic, IP addresses, timestamps, bandwidth, or also browsing history. And because they’re based out of Panama, a neutral government, they aren’t beholden to many other, larger powers’ privacy laws. That means you can rest easy, assured that your activity is kept private as well.
However, NordVPN is geared toward advanced users, its design is still really intuitive for more casual consumers. The graphical map interface is especially convenient for selecting servers. NordVPN also offers zero restrictions on bandwidth, connection on more than 6 devices, and even BitPay payment for complete anonymity. They’re also massive: up to 5,500 servers in 58 countries large – the biggest around. You’ll have no trouble getting online with that size of the network.
How to set up and use a VPN with your iPhone
So, how can you actually set up a VPN and use it? The steps are listed below – but first, in order to make things easier, follow the first few steps from home . Assume you have your own, private internet connection with no blocks enabled, it’ll be easier than trying to do that at your school or workplace.
- Just visit your chosen VPN (we suggest one of the ones above). Head to the “plans” page, choose one, and then follow the on-screen steps to sign up.
- Next, download and install the app as well. For iPhone, just follow the link directly on the VPN’s website to be taken to the iOS App Store. If you guys just go through the App Store separately, then you may run into some fakes.
- When you’ve installed the app, launch it and sign in along with the credentials you created when you signed up for the VPN. If you’re simply trying to access geo-blocked sites, then you can also move to the next step from where you physically are. Otherwise, continue when you’re on the network that blocks your access to certain sites.
- Next, open the VPN app if you guys haven’t already. Most VPNs will automatically connect you to the nearest, best server as well. This will actually likely be good for your purposes. If not, then just use the search function of your app to find and choose whatever server you wish to connect to.
- Now you guys should be good to go. If you can’t access a site, then just return to the VPN and pick another server. If you’re still having issues, then you can visit ipleak.net to make sure that you’re connecting to the VPN server each time. Or, you can also contact customer service for help troubleshooting.
Why are sites blocked? | Unblock Websites on iPhone
Although geo-restrictions exist and governments many times block content they deem “threatening,”. Most blocking of particular sites happens when you connect to the internet at your workplace or school as well. Administrators do this in order to protect the privacy and security of the school and its students (if at a school). And to avoid employees from doing non-work-related things on work time (if at a workplace) as well.
Many blocked websites include social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Blogger, Snapchat, and Flickr. Many other commonly blocked sites also include Netflix, Hulu, YouTube. As well as email services such as Yahoo! and Gmail, and online marketplaces just like Amazon, eBay, and Pinterest.
More comprehensive firewalls can also restrict access to all websites not pertinent to the job – essentially removing any temptation. In order to use the internet for anything other than work-related tasks. But, sometimes these restrictions can feel really limiting or even be an impediment to the job or research. So getting around them can seem important.
VPN Alternatives to unblock websites on iPhone
Getting around school/workplace blocks is actually a really easy thing to do, and there are many ways to do that:
- Turning off your Wi-Fi – This is the obvious way in order to “get around” your school or employer’s firewalls: just turn off your Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone. However– obviously, you’re then paying for the data required in order to use the internet and subject to any restrictions your mobile provider may have in place.
- With an IP address in the address bar – If you guys know a website’s IP address, then you can type it into the address bar rather than the website’s URL address. But, relying on the level of blocking employed, this doesn’t always work.
- Changing DNS servers – In few cases, the blocking is restricted via the DNS server you’re connected to. You can use Google’s Public DNS or also an OpenDNS to change your server without even slowing down your internet.
- With the cache – If you guys can access a search engine, then you can use their “cached” link for a website, found in the indexed web pages cache. But, this can slow things down tremendously.
- Using proxy services – Proxy websites provide you a “proxy” IP address, so you look just like your address is elsewhere, which may help you access blocked sites.
- Tor – Tor is really similar to VPNs, but works via transferring your IP address through multiple, unique points around the world repeatedly. This avoids the original information from being seen and helps you access blocked sites. but, because your IP address is being “bounced” around the world, this slows down your internet speeds tremendously as well.
Drawbacks
Many of these alternatives may seem just like great options, especially when they’re “free.” However, with the exclusion of Tor, none of the other alternatives provide you true privacy and security, and may also even open you up to attacks online.
Whenever you access the internet on an unencrypted connection, all of your activity is visible to your ISP and logged. This actually means that if anyone wants to investigate you (i.e. your workplace or another “higher power”) as well. Then it’s very easy for them to do that. And if you guys spend what they deem to be “too much” time doing non-work-related things, then this can also lead to disciplinary measures.
However, when you install a VPN on your device, all your data is encrypted to and from your server. Although the ISP can also see how much you’re online, they can’t see the details. So it’s virtually impossible for there to be repercussions as well.
Absolutely Free VPN to Access the Blocked sites
So if a VPN is definitely the way to go, then can’t you just use a free one? The short answer: no.
Free VPNs can actually cause you more problems than the others same to a paid VPN. It comes down to simple logic: if a company isn’t making money off you paying for their service, then they have to be in another way in order to pay for their servers and administration costs. One of the ways that “free” VPNs do this is via injecting ads, which is annoying. However, the more worrying way they make money from you is through selling your data to third parties – that is exactly the kind of breach your VPN should be stopping.
Some “free” VPNs even cause your device to be included in botnets as well. That use your bandwidth for DDoS attacks, spamming, click fraud, cryptocurrency mining, and also serving out illegal materials – such as child pornography and otherwise.
So just don’t use a “free” VPN – they aren’t really free.
So if you’re trying to bypass blocks at work or school, or also you’re on a hotel or other public network employing blocks on some content. There are many ways in order to get around these restrictions. By far the best is a VPN, and we showed you how you can choose one, set it up, and execute on it to access blocked sites on your iPhone. All that’s left now is just to pick one and start!
Conclusion
Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this “unblock websites on iphone” article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.
Have a Great Day!
