So, I tested and ranked over 40+ VPNs to find the top 5 VPNs for Huawei phones. After ranking them for speed, server network, ease of use, and security, there was a clear winner. ExpressVPN topped the list after multiple rounds of testing. It works with most streaming sites, a feature you can easily test yourself because it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free, so if you’re not satisfied then you can always get a full refund. Try ExpressVPN for Huawei
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for Huawei Phones in 2023
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The Best VPNs for Huawei Phones (Tested in January 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Fastest and Safest VPN for Huawei Phones (Available on AppGallery)
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the only VPN on this list with a native Huawei app available in the AppGallery. To try it, all you have to do is enter AppGallery, search for “ExpressVPN,” and click “Install.” Unlike other VPNs, you don’t have to manually sideload ExpressVPN onto your device. As a Huawei device user, it was refreshing to be able to download an app directly, and it only took a few seconds. I found that ExpressVPN protects your device through various security features, including:
Military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to ensure your data can’t be read by hackers and other prying eyes Proprietary, open-source Lightway protocol offers both security and speeds TrustedServer technology means that no user data is ever written into ExpressVPN’s hard drives, and RAM servers are wiped each night IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection ensures that your actual identity stays protected at all times A secure no-logs policy which was independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers confirms ExpressVPN’s privacy standards ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin payments, so it’s possible to sign up for the service anonymously.
When you connect to a VPN, your traffic is routed from your location to your chosen server, so some degree of slowdown is to be expected. Running repeated speed tests on various ExpressVPN servers showed an average drop of around 18%, the lowest among all the VPNs I evaluated. Slow servers result in lag and buffering when you’re trying to stream, game, or download files, so ExpressVPN’s speeds make it a great choice for staying interruption-free online. My team and I accessed the most popular streaming sites around the world, including Netflix US and other global libraries. Amongst the platforms ExpressVPN can access are: While ExpressVPN’s one-month rate can be slightly more expensive than other VPNs on this list, purchasing a 1-year + 3 months plan brings the price down to $6.67 a month — a discount of about 49%. Going for the 1-year + 3 months plan means you can download ExpressVPN on your Huawei phone and test all its features yourself. It’s risk-free, thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee. I put that guarantee to the test by requesting a refund on the 25th day of my subscription (I made the request via live chat.) The agent approved my request immediately and I didn’t need to explain why I was canceling. The entire process took less than 10 minutes, and the money was in my account in 5 days. The guarantee works, so you can buy ExpressVPN for your Huawei phone with confidence. Try ExpressVPN for Huawei
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for the Fastest, Most Reliable Connections
Key Features: CyberGhost’s optimized server lists make it easy to choose the right server every time I need to connect. The “For Streaming” list contains servers tested by the CyberGhost team to work with most major streaming sites. During testing, my teammates accessed the following streaming sites on Huawei devices: Aside from streaming-optimized lists, you can also connect to one of CyberGhost’s gaming or torrenting optimized servers, easily accessible through the respective “For Gaming” and “For Torrenting” tabs, so you never have to guess. These servers ensure low latency and ping for interruption-free downloads. I ran several rounds of speed tests on various CyberGhost servers and got an average speed drop of about 36%. While that is a definite drop from ExpressVPN’s 18%, I did not experience any issues using CyberGhost for streaming. Connecting to a long-distance server in Melbourne gave me a 59% decrease from my default, so I recommend connecting to a server closer to your actual location — especially if you’re on slower WiFi. CyberGhost protects your Huawei device with the following features:
256-bit AES encryption that “scrambles” your internet traffic to hide all your online activities IP, WebRTC, and DNS leak protection to keep your data protected NoSpy Servers (located in privacy-friendly Romania, managed on-site by the CyberGhost team) that you can connect to for extra security Strict no-logs policy so none of your browsing history or personal information is retained. A full audit by Deloitte recently proved CyberGhost’s security and privacy standards Anonymous sign-up using Bitcoin.
If you’re thinking of testing it, I recommend you try CyberGhost’s 2-year + 2 months plan instead of purchasing the one-month plan, as the monthly plan works out to be quite expensive. CyberGhost’s long-term plans are backed by a generous 45-day guarantee, while the monthly plan is only covered for 14 days. Plus, CyberGhost’s 2-year + 2 months plan brings the monthly rate to just $2.19 a month, giving you a 83% discount. I also tested CyberGhost’s money-back guarantee by claiming a refund (via live chat) on the 20th day of my 2-year + 2 months plan. The customer support agent just asked me for my reference number, and immediately approved my request. The money was back in my account after 6 days. Get CyberGhost for Huawei
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Largest Server Network Means Plenty of Options
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) offers the largest server network among all the VPNs I tested, giving you the option to connect to 35000+ servers in 84 countries. This makes PIA one of the best VPNs for accessing global streaming services. My teammates and I were able to access the following platforms with PIA: Although PIA’s speeds were excellent on local and mid-range servers, giving my team more than enough to stream and game without lag, I did encounter major drops when I tried faraway servers. I recorded a 45% drop when I connected to a PIA server in Perth. Depending on your default connection speeds, a drop of 45% might severely affect your online experience. If you need to connect to faraway servers without compromising speeds, I suggest trying ExpressVPN instead. PIA comes with a robust set of security settings, including:
A choice between AES 128 or 256-bit encryption for OpenVPN (AES-256 offering military grade encryption, while 128 boosts speeds) to keep your data private Automatic kill switch to cut your internet in the event the VPN fails Free ad tracker and malware blocker to prevent cyber threats from popups A strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and verified by Deloitte.
One downside to PIA is that its headquarters are in the US, meaning it falls within the jurisdiction of the 5 Eyes alliance. This is an agreement between countries that allows information sharing if it’s requested by the government. However, the fact that Deloitte has independently audited PIA’s privacy policies and found them to be watertight means that there would be none of your information to give in the event of such a request. PIA is one of the most cost-effective VPNs for Huawei on this list. If you purchase PIA’s 2-year + 2 months plan, it costs just $2.19 a month. You’ll be able to protect up to 10 devices simultaneously under one plan, which is a steal, considering the vast server network you’ll be getting (with a free ad, tracker, and malware blocker, too). PIA plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which I tested. My refund request was approved immediately, no questions asked. The money was back in my account 4 days after my request was approved. This means you can try PIA for free for 30 days, and you can cancel your subscription if you don’t want to keep it. Try PIA for Huawei
4. PrivateVPN — StealthVPN Feature Makes VPN Use Undetectable
Key Features: Aside from the StealthVPN feature, PrivateVPN also comes with the following security features:
AES-256 military-grade encryption which makes your data unreadable A large selection of VPN protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2 No-logs policy which means it doesn’t store any of your browsing or personal data.
When my teammates and I tested PrivateVPN on major streaming platforms, we found that it worked with most of them, including the following: At first, I thought PrivateVPN’s network of 200+ servers in 63 locations might be so small it would cause overcrowding. However, test results showed an average speed drop of about 35%, meaning I had consistent speed with no lag or buffering. All of PrivateVPN’s servers run on high-quality networks, using bandwidth bought directly from IP transit providers and not middlemen (such as hosting companies). This results in greater levels of control and maintenance. However, PrivateVPN’s headquarters is a bit of an issue: it’s located in Sweden, a member of the 14 Eyes alliance. While PrivateVPN’s staunch no-logs policy does ensure that there won’t be any user data to obtain in the first place, I’d have greater peace of mind if its no-logs policy was third-party audited (like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA). At $2.00 a month for a 3-year plan, PrivateVPN is definitely an affordable VPN option. Try PrivateVPN for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee, and claim a refund if you change your mind. To cancel, all you need to do is email customer support. The rep was helpful and efficient, and the money was in my account in 5 days. Get PrivateVPN for Huawei
5. IPVanish — Protect All Your Huawei Devices With unlimited Simultaneous Device Connections
Key Features: If you own a lot of personal devices, I recommend you try IPVanish: it allows unlimited simultaneous device connections under 1 plan. IPVanish is compatible with most devices and operating systems, and it’s one of the best VPNs for smart TVs and routers. I tested it out by connecting it to my home router, which meant that I could use it on every device connected to the network. The online instructions were easy to follow, and I had it up and running in no time. Testing multiple IPVanish servers gave me some of the fastest speeds I’ve gotten from VPNs on this list, with an average speed drop of 37%. I was able to stream, browse, and even play games with no issues while using IPVanish servers. My team and I tested servers in multiple major cities around the globe and never experienced congestion or drop-outs. Although IPVanish’s speeds are great enough for streaming, it’s a bit unreliable when it comes to getting around VPN blocks. While my teammates and I were able to access the streaming apps in the table below, we did encounter issues trying to access banking and government sites. It used to offer a 7-day free trial, but IPVanish now offers a 30-day money-back guarantee instead with its yearly (or longer) plans. If you only need a VPN for a short amount of time, I suggest paying upfront for a yearly plan and claiming a refund when you don’t need it anymore. At just $3.99 per month for its 1 year plan, it has a lot to offer for a low price. Its low rates make it one of the best monthly VPNs on the market. However, if you do like to stay completely anonymous online, you should note that IPVanish does not accept cryptocurrency payments. You can try IPVanish for free for 30 days, and cancel your plan if you decide it’s not for you. To get a refund, all I had to do was access my account dashboard and click the “Cancel Subscription” button. That’s it. The money was back in my account on the same day. Try IPVanish for Huawei
How to Install a VPN on Huawei Devices
Choose a top VPN from the AppGallery
This method is the easiest and most secure way to install a VPN on Huawei devices.
Sideload a VPN using the .config file
Sideload a VPN using the .apk file
Troubleshooting
If you can’t access geo-blocked sites or are still seeing your original location/IP while connected to a VPN, try the following: If none of these solutions work, contact your VPN’s customer support. It’s important to choose a VPN with top-tier customer support — the top VPN on the list above, ExpressVPN, provides prompt responses via live chat. Download ExpressVPN on Huawei
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best VPNs for Huawei Phones
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Why You Need a VPN for Huawei Phones
Using a top-rated VPN is an easy way to protect your personal data, something that’s extra important for a Huawei device. According to China’s National Intelligence Law, all China-based companies such as Huawei are required to cooperate with and support China’s intelligence-gathering efforts if asked to. Huawei is bound by Chinese law to give any information they have to the government. This puts the numerous Huawei-related security attacks in the past few years, (including an update containing malicious code which affected a major Australian telecommunications company) in a more ominous light. To make matters worse, an FBI report from 2015 revealed that Huawei is directly subsidized by the Chinese government. All this puts the integrity of every Huawei device into question. Unsurprisingly, several jurisdictions have issued warnings and bans on the use of Huawei devices in commercial contexts:
The US prohibits the sale of Huawei devices in military bases Sweden banned the use of Huawei kits for 5G networks in the country Lithuanian cybersecurity experts warned against cybersecurity issues found in Huawei and Xiaomi devices, including a “content-filtering feature” for a list of 449 words in Chinese The Estonian parliament proposed a ban on using Huawei kits for telecommunications networks in the country.
If you don’t want to make the switch to a different device, you’re going to need a tool that protects your online traffic, ensuring that no third party has access to your online data. When you use a good VPN like ExpressVPN, your data is encrypted with military-grade protocols so everything you do online — including who you’re communicating with, your search history, your browsing habits, and more — stays your business and your business only. Use Huawei with ExpressVPN
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Huawei Phones
There are lots of VPNs out there claiming to work with Huawei devices, so I tested over 40 of them to find the best one. I tested and ranked VPNs based on the following criteria:
Compatibility with Huawei devices. I made sure to only choose VPNs that are either available on Huawei AppGallery, or available on Huawei devices through a manual OpenVPN set-up. Comprehensive security features. Features such as military-grade encryption, IP leak protection (confirmed through leak testing), and a kill switch are mandatory. I also took extra features such as ad/malware/tracker blockers and secure server maintenance into consideration. Strong privacy policies. I chose VPNs with guaranteed no-logs policies, and I put VPNs that underwent third-party auditing higher up the list. Consistently fast speeds. To determine which VPNs are the fastest, I ran speed tests on multiple servers in order to find the average speed drop. I also took connection stability into consideration. Unblocking capabilities. My teammates and I checked which VPNs worked with most major streaming platforms and geoblocked sites. Numerous simultaneous device connections. I also considered how many simultaneous connections a VPN allows under 1 plan. Reliable money-back guarantee. It’s important to be able to claim a full refund in the event the VPN doesn’t work for you.
I also included VPNs that are proven to work in China, either automatically or through manual setup. Try ExpressVPN with Huawei
Warning – Why You Shouldn’t Use Huawei’s Built-In VPN
Since the Huawei VPN is pre-installed, it brings with it all the privacy issues that come with the device. Huawei is subject to China’s National Intelligence Law, so it is required to share any user information it might have with the Chinese government if requested. As of now, there is no proven instance of Huawei devices being employed to gather intelligence for the Chinese government, so Huawei’s built-in VPN might be enough for your intended use; but this depends on your risk level and personal preference. China is not exactly known for privacy-centric laws, so it’s important to use a good VPN when traveling to China and when using devices and services from providers covered by China’s National Intelligence Law. Use ExpressVPN on your Huawei device
What’s the best VPN for Huawei phones?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Huawei phones — it’s secure, fast, and easy to use. I ran several rounds of IP, DNS, and WebRTC tests which proved that ExpressVPN protected my IP address. ExpressVPN also has the lowest average speed drop among the 40 or so VPNs that I tested, so I browsed, streamed, and even played online games without any issues. It’s also really easy to install ExpressVPN on your Huawei device, since it’s available directly for download from Huawei AppGallery.
Can I use my Huawei phone in the US?
Yes, you can use and purchase Huawei devices in the US. However, you would need to take extra precautions to secure your phone data, as Huawei devices come with some privacy issues. Using a VPN is the easiest way to protect your Huawei device from third-party surveillance.
Are Huawei phones banned?
No, Huawei phones are not banned. While the privacy and security issues surrounding Huawei devices are concerning enough to prompt commercial bans from several countries, Huawei phones are legal to buy and use anywhere in the world. Commercially, it’s not quite so simple. The US and a couple of other countries instituted a trade ban against Huawei, so Huawei’s 5G and network gear can’t be used by telecommunication companies in countries like the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. On top of that, Huawei also needs to obtain a license to use any US technology.
How do I boost my ping and speeds on Huawei phones?
To maintain good speeds while protecting your device, make sure you’re using a high-speed VPN for Huawei phones. Other tips to boost your Huawei ping and speeds include:
Check if there are any available updates (in the System Update section of the App Drawer), and update if necessary, Uninstall apps that you’re not using anymore, Clear junk files by clicking Settings > Storage > Cleanup, then click on the Cleanup and Optimize buttons.
Which Huawei VPN is best for Netflix?
ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN to watch Netflix. During testing, my teammates and I were able to access Netflix’s US library as well as other libraries including the UK, Japan, Australia and Canada. ExpressVPN’s consistently fast speeds also allow for bufferless streaming.
Can I use a free VPN on my Huawei phone?
Technically yes, but free VPNs come with a lot of setbacks. Unlike the high-speed, secure Huawei VPNs on the list above, most free VPNs don’t really do a great job at protecting your online data. Worse, some of them are reported to sell user data to advertisers or inject users’ devices with tracking software. While there are good free VPNs out there, they are few and far between. Most free comes with strict data caps or limited server options, making streaming impossible. However, the most common issue I encountered while testing was overall speeds: most free VPNs are so slow that they’re virtually unusable. To avoid all these issues, I suggest using a premium VPN instead.
Get a Fast and Safe VPN for Huawei
Finding a VPN for Huawei devices can be tricky. Unlike other Android devices, you can’t just download a VPN directly from the Google Play Store; you’re going to need a VPN that is available on the Huawei AppGallery, or via manual installation. After testing over 40 VPNs, I found that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Huawei phones. It’s available on the Huawei AppGallery, so it’s easy to install. ExpressVPN comes with a robust set of security features, including military-grade encryption and IP leak protection, and its no-logs policy is third-party audited. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN with Huawei risk-free. I tested the guarantee by claiming a refund and got my money back in 5 days. Try ExpressVPN with Huawei
