10 Ways to Unblock Websites on Your Phone and Laptop

It seems like more and more websites are getting blocked these days. Many mobile carriers and internet service providers restrict access to certain websites. The main reasons for these restrictions often include content related to racism, pornography, and terrorism.

In this article, we'll explore several easy methods to access these blocked websites. These techniques can also be useful for bypassing blocks set by office networks, schools, and universities.

Here are some effective ways to access blocked websites. Feel free to pick the method that works best for you. However, please use these tips responsibly and for positive purposes only.

1. Using Tor Browser

One of the most effective ways to bypass blocked websites is using the Tor Browser. This browser allows you to access any site you want.

Tor Browser also helps keep your browsing private by blocking ad trackers and not storing cookies once you're done. However, you might still see ads, just without the tracking.

Additionally, Tor ensures your browsing activities remain anonymous by preventing any potential leaks of your digital fingerprint, such as those from mouse movements.

Here’s how Tor works: it routes your connection through various relay servers, so you don’t connect directly to your target website.

For instance, your connection might go through servers in Finland, Romania, and then the USA before reaching the site. This process makes it appear as if you're browsing from one of these countries.

I once used Tor to access Reddit.com, which is blocked in my country. When starting, it offered me three security settings: Standard, Safer, and Safest. You can adjust these anytime in the browser settings.

From the image above, you can see the differences between the security settings in Tor Browser. If you want to use all of Tor's features, you should select the "Standard" option. However, keep in mind that this setting isn't as secure as the other two.

If you're interested in trying it out, here's how to use Tor Browser:

1. Download and install Tor Browser on your device.
2. Open the browser and click the "Connect" button.
3. Choose your preferred security setting. I recommend starting with "Standard."
4. Enter the URL of the site you wish to visit in the search bar and wait for it to load.

While Tor is considered safe and legal in many places, including the US, it's still important to use it wisely.

According to Cybernews, small mistakes can expose your data, particularly if the site uses JavaScript or if you enable JavaScript in Tor. For those curious about the privacy features of Tor, giving it a try might be worth your while.

2. Using NordVPN

NordVPN is a VPN app compatible with various devices, including Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows. I tried the Android version, which is simple and user-friendly.

First, download and launch the NordVPN app on your device. Log in or sign up using your Google account or email. You can try the premium service with a 7-day trial or subscribe immediately. Complete the payment process to start using the service.

Once you're set, hit the "Quick Connect" button. NordVPN will automatically choose a server for you. For instance, I connected to a Singapore server.

If you prefer, you can search for a specific server or select one from the list. Just tap on your desired server or country option. Once connected, you can access sites that were previously blocked. For example, I visited Reddit.

When you're finished and want to turn off the VPN, simply press the "Disconnect" button.

Easy, right? In seconds, you can access the sites you want. NordVPN ensures your data is secure, so you don’t have to worry about leaks. Additionally, NordVPN offers a service called Meshnet that allows you to share files or access your home computer remotely with guaranteed safety.

While NordVPN's subscription rates might be high for some, I believe the excellent service it provides is worth the cost.

3. Using Opera VPN

If you use the Opera browser, you can utilize its built-in VPN feature. If you don't have Opera, download it first. Once installed, open Opera and go to "Menu," then open "New private window."

You'll see a VPN option next to the site address. Activate the VPN to access blocked sites easily.

The Opera VPN feature works not only on PCs but also on smartphones. Download Opera from the Google Play Store.

To activate it on your Android phone, open Opera, tap the profile option (person icon) in the upper right corner, and then tap the VPN icon. Opera will notify you when the VPN is active.

Remember, download Opera, not Opera Mini. Follow the same steps to activate the VPN in Opera VPN.

4. Using SetupVPN

You can unlock blocked sites using SetupVPN, a free VPN service. On your PC, you can install it as software on your Windows operating system.

You can also install SetupVPN on your browser as an add-on/extension for Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. SetupVPN is available for Android, iOS, and MacBook devices too.

I tried SetupVPN on an Android tablet by downloading and running the app. If you haven't used the service before, sign up with an active email. You'll be prompted to activate your account via a link in your email. Once activated, log in with your registered account.

Next, select an available server. For example, I chose the UK server in the free version. The VPN will activate immediately, allowing you to browse or open carrier-blocked sites right away.

SetupVPN is a pretty good VPN service. For more security, consider using the paid version.

5. Using Open DNS

Sometimes, certain providers block sites using special DNS. To access the blocked sites, simply change the DNS on your computer connection to OpenDNS. Here's how to use it:

1. Open "Settings."
2. Go to "Network and Internet," then select the connected WiFi network.

3. On the active connection, right-click and select "Properties."

4. Select the "Edit" section.

5. Choose "Manual" and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4).

6. In the IPv4 section, click the "Properties" button below it.
7. Enter the DNS code in the DNS Address column.

For OpenDNS, use 208.67.222.222 as the preferred DNS Server and 208.67.222.220 as the alternate DNS. You can also search for other OpenDNS codes online. Once done, press OK.

Google also has a DNS with numbers 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, but it's no longer effective for opening blocked sites.

6. Using DNS 1.1.1.1

You can also access blocked sites using the DNS 1.1.1.1 service, available on both the Google Play Store and the App Store. Here's how to use it:

1. Download and run the DNS 1.1.1.1 app.
2. Press "Accept" on the privacy policy page.
3. Select "Install VPN Profile."
4. Press OK.
5. Slide the toggle to the right to enable the VPN.

The DNS 1.1.1.1 app is by Cloudflare and boasts a response time of 10.95 milliseconds, making it one of the fastest DNS services available. Its DNS nature means the 1.1.1.1 code can also be used as IPv4, similar to Google DNS and OpenDNS.

7. Using ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is another great option for accessing blocked sites. It ensures user data security and promises over 200% faster internet access through its VPN.

With ProtonVPN, you don't have to worry about bandwidth limits, as it provides unlimited bandwidth. The geo-restriction bypass feature makes it hard to block. I tried using ProtonVPN to unblock a site. Here's how you can do it:

1. Download and run ProtonVPN on your device.
2. Sign up for an account using your active email.
3. Press "Next" on the menus that appear.
4. Click "Connect now" to connect to the VPN.

You'll be connected to an overseas VPN server instantly. I connected to a Dutch server, and browsing was smooth and fast. If you want to change servers or create a new VPN profile, you can do it as needed.

I used the ProtonVPN app for Android, but it's also available on iOS, Mac, and Windows. However, the free version has a limited number of open servers. To unlock all servers from different countries, you'll need to upgrade to the premium plan.

8. Using Turbo VPN App

You can unlock blocked sites using the Turbo VPN app, which supports many operating systems including Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and others. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download and run TurboVPN on your device.
2. Press "Agree and Continue."
3. Tap the carrot icon to turn on the VPN.
4. Press "OK" to continue.

The VPN will connect as soon as you press OK. I tried the free version of this service. In the free version, the app selects the VPN server for you, so you can’t choose a specific server. If you want to access more servers, consider subscribing to the premium service. This will also remove the ads in the app.

While using TurboVPN, I didn't experience any significant issues. Additionally, there are other useful features in the app, like the website filter, which helps you sort and select the web pages you can access while using TurboVPN.

9. Using a Proxy

Another method is to use a proxy in your Mozilla Firefox browser. Go to www.freeproxylists.net and choose a proxy address. I recommend selecting a proxy from a neighboring country, like Singapore, for a faster connection.

Open Mozilla Firefox and go to "Settings." Navigate to the "General" menu and click on the "Network Connection" section. Enter the proxy address you obtained and press "OK."

Now, try opening the blocked site. This method can be a bit complicated for some people. If it’s not suitable for you, try the other methods I’ve discussed.

10. Using a Web Proxy

Another way to access blocked sites is by using a web proxy. This method is easier than using sites like FreeProxyList. All you need to do is open a third-party site and enter the URL of the site you want to visit.

For example, you can access www.proxysite.com through your browser on a PC or smartphone. Enter the blocked site you want to open and choose a server to access it. Pretty easy, right?

Keep in mind that while access is easy, the security of these sites is not guaranteed. So, I recommend using a secure VPN service if possible.

These are some ways to freely open blocked sites. Choose the method that works best for you. If you have other methods that aren’t listed here, please share them in the comments section below.