Android VPN setup for travelers to China

Android setup for travelers is straightforward if you do it at home. The wrinkle: Google Play is unreachable from mainland China networks, so you also want an APK on disk as a backup install path in case something happens to your app on the ground.

Before you leave (5 minutes)

1. Open unblockmevpn.com/downloads.html on your phone or laptop.
2. Download the Android APK and transfer it to the phone if needed.
3. Open the app, sign in.
4. Allow the VPN permission prompt when Android asks.
5. Also: download the APK directly from unblockmevpn.com/downloads.html and save it somewhere you can reach offline — internal storage, a cloud folder, and/or emailed to yourself.
6. Test a Hong Kong connection.

Enable Always-on VPN (recommended)

1. Open Settings → Network & internet → VPN.
2. Tap the gear icon next to UnblockMeVPN.
3. Enable Always-on VPN.
4. Enable Block connections without VPN (this is a system-level kill switch).

With Always-on enabled the VPN reconnects automatically after reboots, Wi-Fi drops, and network handoffs. With Block-without-VPN enabled the device is unable to send any traffic until the tunnel is up.

Battery optimization

Android aggressively kills background apps. For the VPN you want this disabled:

1. Settings → Apps → UnblockMeVPN → Battery
2. Set to Unrestricted.

This is the single most common reason Android users report "the VPN disconnects randomly."

APK installation (if you need it on arrival)

Google Play is unreachable from inside mainland networks. If your app was somehow removed or you need to install on a fresh device on arrival, sideload the APK:

1. Locate the APK file you saved before leaving (or download from the provider's website if it is reachable — often it is, via Cloak on port 443).
2. Tap the APK file to install.
3. Android may ask you to grant Install unknown apps permission to the file manager you are opening it from. Grant it, install, then revoke.
4. Open the app and sign in.

Samsung-specific notes

Samsung phones add an extra layer of battery management called Smart Battery / Device Care. Make sure UnblockMeVPN is excluded from Deep Sleep:

1. Settings → Battery and device care → Battery → Background usage limits
2. Make sure UnblockMeVPN is not in Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps