- WhatsApp suggests using a VPN to bypass network restrictions on its service
- It explicitly lists Mullvad and AmneziaVPN as “preferred” VPN providers
- The move comes as WhatsApp is increasingly the target of censors around the world.
For millions of users living under restrictive internet regimes, maintaining access to basic communication tools is a daily struggle. In a crucial update to its support documentation, WhatsApp has started explicitly recommending two privacy-focused services, Mullvad and Amnezia VPN, to help users stay connected when the app is blocked.
While Meta-owned platforms generally offer generic advice on using the best VPN services to bypass restrictions, naming specific third-party providers is a break from tradition.
The update appears in the platform’s help center, in the section dedicated to connecting when the network is down or blocked, signaling a more practical approach to helping users in jurisdictions subject to heavy internet censorship.
According to the new update WhatsApp FAQ, the company states: “Using a VPN may allow you to connect to WhatsApp if it is not available on your current network.” He then goes further by adding: “Examples of reputable VPN providers include Mullvad and Amnezia. »
The page also directs users to digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF) website for further reading on digital security, reinforcing the privacy-focused nature of this advice.
Why Mullvad and Amnezia?
The selection of these two specific providers is revealing. Unlike the massive commercial VPNs often seen in TV commercials, Mullvad and Amnezia both occupy a more technical and privacy-friendly niche.
Mullvad VPN is a Swedish vendor widely revered in the cybersecurity community for its fanatical approach to anonymity. In addition to applying a strict A no-log VPN, Mullvad requires no email address or personal information to sign up; users simply generate a random account number.
While privacy is Mullvad’s main concern, the provider has also increased its resistance to censorship over the years. It even recently added QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) in all its applications for better unblocking.
🔥Now @WhatsApp recommends connecting to Amnezia VPN if your network is not working. They added a link to @AmneziaVPN in their help center because our technology is designed to bypass even the strictest censorship. Try it yourself – request a demo. pic.twitter.com/6r4Zepv1rtFebruary 27, 2026
AmneziaVPN is a Russia-based provider specifically designed to bypass harsh censorship. It is particularly known for creating protocols that hide VPN traffic, making it look like regular web browsing to fool censorship firewalls.
While offering its own apps, Amenzia is an open source solution that allows users to also set up their own self-hosted VPN on a rented virtual private server (VPS). Both NymVPN and Windscribe have integrated Amenzia’s proprietary protocol, AmenziaWG, into their services precisely for its effectiveness in bypassing Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) blocking techniques.
By highlighting these two elements, WhatsApp effectively directs users towards tools designed to survive in hostile network environments, rather than just tools designed for streaming or casual browsing.
Stay connected in 2026
The context of this update cannot be ignored. With the rise of digital authoritarianism, the ability to access end-to-end encrypted messages is no longer guaranteed.
WhatsApp would like to remind users that using these tools does not compromise the security of their chats. The support page reiterates: “Please note that when using a VPN, WhatsApp’s default end-to-end encryption keeps your personal messages and calls private…No one outside of chat, not even WhatsApp, can read, listen to, or share them.”
For users in regions where WhatsApp is frequently restricted or blocked, this official recognition of specifics Secure VPN tools validate what many activists and tech-savvy users have known for years: in 2026, a VPN isn’t just an accessory; it is essential infrastructure.
If you’re currently looking for a way to secure your connection, these “liked” options are a good place to start, but they aren’t your only options. For other secure and reliable alternatives, I suggest checking out our guides to the best free VPN and the best VPN services in general.
