While ChatGPT, Open AI’s artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, is gaining popularity and sparking a debate around the world, there are still countries where the service is not officially available, and Hong Kong is one of them.
When you visit the website to try or use ChatGPT within Hong Kong’s borders, you will discover that the service is geo-restricted. Assume you discovered a way around this restriction by doing some internet research. I have some more bad news for you. Because ChatGPT is not officially available in Hong Kong, you will be unable to create an account using your Hong Kong phone number. However, don’t be concerned! I’m here to show you how to use ChatGPT in Hong Kong!
To begin, we will change our IP address by connecting to a VPN server in a country where ChatGPT is available using a reputable VPN service. Then, we’ll sign up for ChatGTP by purchasing a virtual phone number from that country. As a result, we will be able to freely use the power of ChatGPT within Hong Kong’s borders! Without further ado, let’s get to work!
Analysis: The service region of ChatGPT does not include Hong Kong. As a result, when we try to use the chatbot within Hong Kong’s borders, we are denied access. Furthermore, when signing up for the service, ChatGPT does not accept a Hong Kong phone number. ChatGPT enforces this restriction using users’ IP addresses.
Solution: We can circumvent ChatGPT’s geo-restrictions by getting an IP address from a country in which the chatbot is available. We’ll use a reputable VPN service and connect to a VPN server in the United States for this. This way, we will be able to use ChatGPT freely in Hong Kong. For SMS verification, we’ll purchase a virtual SMS number from OnlineSIM and create a ChatGPT account.
In this article, I’ll show you how to connect to a VPN server in the United States using ExpressVPN. If you’re wondering why I chose to connect to the United States, it’s because VPN companies invest heavily in the country and it’s much easier to buy a virtual phone number there.
A quick guide to using ChatGPT in Hong Kong with a VPN:
- Visit ExpressVPN’s official website; it has servers in nine US cities.
- Select a plan that works for you by clicking the “Get ExpressVPN” button.
- Enter your email address and select a payment method.
- ExpressVPN will email you an activation code once your payment has been processed.
- On the ExpressVPN home page, navigate to the “Products” menu, then download and install the VPN app for your device.
- Start the app and enter the activation code you received via email.
- Connect to an available server by searching for “United States” in the “VPN Locations.”
A green check mark will appear over your ExpressVPN icon once your connection is established. That means your Hong Kong IP address has been replaced with a US IP address. This will allow you to unblock ChatGPT. However, our work is not yet complete. To create our ChatGPT account, we still need to get a virtual phone number from the United States.
- Sign up for the website OnlineSIM at https://onlinesim.io/.
- Go to the Refill Balance tab and add money to your account using your preferred method. (At least $3 is required to purchase your virtual phone number.)
- Go to the ChatGPT account creation page, sign up for an account, and activate it via email.
- ChatGPT will ask you to verify your phone number after you enter your name and birthday.
- Return to OnlineSIM, and search for “USA” and “ChatGPT” in the Receive SMS menu.
- Get your virtual phone number by clicking the blue “$3.00” button.
- Copy and paste your virtual phone number into ChatGPT.
- Return to OnlineSIM to get your SMS code. (It will appear directly beneath your virtual number.)
- Your account will be activated once you enter that SMS code into ChatGPT.
You can now use ChatGPT in Hong Kong. As you can see above, we have complete freedom to use ChatGPT with a US IP address. You can use ChatGPT for free or subscribe to ChatGPT Plus with your account if you follow our quick guide.
We resolved the issue with Hong Kong users being unable to access ChatGPT. However, I am aware that it is a lengthy guide that can be confusing. I will attempt to explain all of these steps in detail in order to dispel any misconceptions about VPN services, the use of virtual phone numbers, or any other aspect of our guide. If you have the time, I recommend you read the entire article.
Understanding the ChatGPT restriction in Hong Kong
Although ChatGPT has gained immense popularity since the day it is launched, it has yet to be available in Hong Kong, China, and some other countries/regions. In addition, you must verify your phone number in order to create a ChatGPT account. Even if you are able to access ChatGPT in those countries, the system does not accept local phone numbers.
Assume you are unaware of this situation and attempt to use ChatGPT in Hong Kong. The following warning notice will be displayed to you:
- ChatGPT warning notice: “OpenAI’s services are not available in your country.”
When I asked ChatGPT about the source of the problem, the chatbot responded as follows:
- “In the case of Hong Kong, there may be specific government regulations or restrictions on accessing certain websites or online services, including AI language models like ChatGPT.”
What concerns us is how this restriction is enforced. Because that is the key to finding a solution. It’s actually quite simple. When a user with a Hong Kong IP address attempts to use ChatGPT, their access is automatically blocked. So all we need to do is change our IP address to use ChatGPT in Hong Kong. This is where VPN services come into play.
How to use ChatGPT in Hong Kong with a VPN
To use ChatGPT in Hong Kong, we will use a reputable VPN service to change our Hong Kong IP address. This connection will change our virtual location and allow us to bypass ChatGPT restrictions in Hong Kong.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that establishes a secure, encrypted connection across a public network. VPNs function by routing our internet traffic through a VPN server and encrypting our data to prevent third-party interception. Such a connection masks our local IP address and assigns us a new one based on the server’s location. We will use this feature to get an IP address from a country where ChatGPT is available.
Now the question is whether we can use any VPN service to access ChatGPT in Hong Kong. What factors should we consider when selecting a VPN service? Is every VPN service alike? Let’s work together to find the answers to these questions and the best VPN service for using ChatGPT in Hong Kong!
Choosing the best VPN for using ChatGPT in Hong Kong
Unfortunately, we cannot use a random VPN service in Hong Kong. Until recently, Hong Kong was able to fully exercise its autonomy. However, we can see that the Chinese government’s increasing pressure is beginning to have an effect on the Internet. As a result, finding a VPN service that works in Hong Kong has become a difficult task. Furthermore, the VPN we select should be able to bypass ChatGPT’s restrictions.
I mentioned earlier that we would use a VPN service with servers in the United States to simplify the virtual phone number issue. Aside from the server location, the VPN we select must offer us a stable connection and a reasonable speed. Other important features to consider include device compatibility, customer support, and a money-back guarantee.
When I searched the market for VPN services based on these criteria, ExpressVPN was the provider that best met my needs for using ChatGPT in Hong Kong. ExpressVPN is a well-established brand with over thirteen years of service experience, as well as worldwide coverage with thousands of cutting-edge servers in 94 countries. Furthermore, the download speed I experienced with ExpressVPN’s US servers was 45.89 Mbps. We can surf the internet and use ChatGPT as if we were not connected to a foreign server at such speeds.
Please follow the steps below to use this service:
- Visit ExpressVPN’s official website.
- Enter your email address and choose a subscription plan.
- To complete the transaction, use your preferred payment method.
ExpressVPN will send you an email with an activation code once your payment has been processed. Please save that code because we will need it in the next steps.
VPN app installation
It’s time to download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device.
- Return to the ExpressVPN official website.
- Locate and download the VPN app for your device from the “Products” menu.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
Note: To avoid problems in the future, grant the ExpressVPN app all of the permissions it requires during installation.
Connecting to the United States VPN server
It’s time to change your Hong Kong IP address. Getting a US IP address is as simple as a few mouse clicks with ExpressVPN.
- Launch the ExpressVPN app on your device.
- Log in using the activation code that was emailed to you.
- To access the “VPN Locations” menu, click the three dots.
- Search for “United States” and connect to an available server. (I preferred the New York server.)
A green check mark will appear over your ExpressVPN icon once your connection is established. That means you now have a US IP address and have unblocked ChatGPT in Hong Kong. However, we are not finished because we still require a ChatGPT account.
Creating ChatGPT account
During the sign-up process, ChatGPT requires users to verify their phone numbers. Unfortunately, because the chatbot is not officially available in Hong Kong, the system does not accept Hong Kong phone numbers. To address this issue, we will be buying a virtual phone number from the United States.
First and foremost, ensure that you are still connected to ExpressVPN’s US servers. After that, go to OnlineSIM and sign up with your email address to purchase a virtual phone number.
After verifying your account via email, you must deposit funds into your account. There are some fixed sums depending on your payment method, but keep in mind that you’ll need at least $3 to purchase a virtual phone number for ChatGPT. To do so, go to the “Refill balance” tab and select your currency, payment method, and amount to load.
We are now ready to purchase a virtual phone number. But first, we’ll return to ChatGPT and create an account. Don’t purchase your virtual phone number yet, as it will only be active for 15 minutes.
- Go to the official ChatGPT website and click on “Try ChatGPT.”
- Click “Sign up” on the next page and enter your email address.
- Create a password for your account and confirm it by email.
- After you enter your name and birthday, ChatGPT will ask you to verify your phone number.
We can now buy our virtual phone number. Return to your OnlineSIM account, click the “Receive SMS” tab in the left panel, and search for “USA” and “ChatGPT.”
When you click “$3.00,” OnlineSIM will generate a US virtual phone number that will be active for 15 minutes. Paste that number into ChatGPT and press the “Send code” button. ChatGPT will then send an SMS code to that number. On OnlineSIM’s “Receive SMS” tab, you can find that code directly below your virtual phone number.
Finally, use the SMS code to activate your ChatGPT account. Congratz! It was a long journey, but you managed to overcome geo-restriction.
Using ChatGPT in Hong Kong
Now that we’ve changed our virtual location to the United States and verified our ChatGPT account, let’s see if our method worked.
- Check that you’re connected to one of ExpressVPN’s US servers.
- Visit the official ChatGPT website at https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt.
- Login to your account.
As you can see, we were able to use ChatGPT in Hong Kong by circumventing restrictions with the help of VPNs.
VPNs for using ChatGPT in Hong Kong (3 Alternatives)
With the assistance of ExpressVPN, we may have been able to circumvent the ChatGPT block in Hong Kong. However, it is always a good idea to be aware of alternative options just in case. After all, we know that ISPs and some governments dislike VPN traffic and are constantly looking for new ways to block it. Furthermore, ExpressVPN is not the most affordable option on the market, and you may want to look for cheaper alternatives. In this case, I’ll introduce you to three different VPNs that work in Hong Kong.
Private Internet Access
We’ll start with Private Internet Access (PIA), a subsidiary of Kape Technologies and a sister company to ExpressVPN. However, unlike ExpressVPN, PIA is based in the United States and operates under US jurisdiction. As for coverage, PIA operates high-speed VPN servers in 84 countries around the world.
In terms of performance, the download speed I got from PIA’s US servers was 55.71 Mbps. Such a speed would be more than adequate for any type of internet activity, including ChatGPT.
Here is what sets PIA apart from ExpressVPN. With a monthly fee of $2.11, PIA is a lot cheaper. Furthermore, you can use your account for 10 simultaneous connections, benefit from 7/24 live support, and request a refund within 30 days if you are dissatisfied with the service.
AtlasVPN
AltasVPN is a relatively new VPN provider on the market, and since joining Nord Security in 2021, it has steadily expanded its coverage to 42 countries with 750 servers. AtlasVPN, like PIA, is based in the United States. As a result, AtlasVPN is an excellent choice for obtaining a US IP address. However, if you’re considering connecting to another country, I recommend first checking out AtlasVPN’s coverage.
Concerning performance, the fact that AltasVPN is a new company works in our favor. Because fewer users mean faster performance for us. My most recent speed test with AtlasVPN’s New York server yielded a download speed of 62.83 Mbps. We can confidently predict that AtlasVPN will not disappoint us in terms of speed.
Finally, let us examine AtlasVPN’s pricing policy. AtlasVPN is the cheapest option on our list, with a monthly fee of $1.82. A single AtlasVPN account supports an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, and the service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a Panama-based VPN service that offers worldwide coverage with over 9000 servers in 91 countries. Looking only at the United States, we can see that CyberGhost has 1400 servers in 11 cities. We can also say that CyberGhost is an appealing option for streaming addicts, with specially optimized servers for streaming platforms.
My speed test with CyberGhost’s ultra-fast servers yielded a download speed of 65.99 Mbps with the service’s New York server. This means that all three of our options will satisfy us in terms of speed.
Finally, CyberGhost’s services are cost-effective. A single CyberGhost account can support up to 7 simultaneous connections and costs just $2.11 per month. Furthermore, CyberGhost provides a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Summing up the article
ChatCPT has never been officially launched in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong residents are unable to sign up for ChatGPT because the system does not accept Hong Kong phone numbers for verification. This restriction is enforced via IP addresses, and if you have a Hong Kong IP address, your access to ChatGPT will be automatically denied.
In this article, I demonstrated how to change your IP address using a VPN service. You can easily access ChatGPT in Hong Kong by connecting to a VPN server in a country where it is available. In terms of account verification, I demonstrated how to buy a virtual phone number from the United States. You can easily create a ChatGPT account in Hong Kong using this method.
With its advantageous features and credibility, ExpressVPN was the VPN service I chose to use ChatGPT in Hong Kong. In addition, I introduced you to three different VPN services that you can use.
I’ve been a translator for many years. During this time, geo-restriction has always been the most problematic issue in the many countries I’ve visited. I’m here to tell you about my experience.
