Keep WeChat fast while Google uses your VPN
Turn on smart mode, then test your everyday apps.
At a glance
You can keep China apps on the local network and send Google another way. It depends on the app you installed, so try both.
What the mode changes
A global mode usually sends the traffic it manages through the selected node. Rule-based routing applies conditions to decide which requests stay direct and which use a node. Coverage varies by client and operating system; a system proxy is not necessarily a tunnel for every app.
Set up the client you actually use
Use the instructions for your chosen client and subscription. Confirm rules are loaded and the node is reachable. Keep a copy of the original settings so you can undo changes. Do not run several competing proxy clients while trying to isolate a fault.
Validate apps, not just IPs
Run the network check, then send a message, load a map and check your local apps. Different IP lookups are evidence of different observed exits, not proof that all apps follow the intended rules. Tailscale’s Allow Local Network Access refers to the nearby LAN, not automatic direct access to all Chinese internet services.
A few more notes for your journey.
Why does WeChat work but Google won’t load?
The two-minute idea behind most internet surprises in China.
3 MIN READ ↗Hotel Wi-Fi not working? Check these four things
Find the cause before you buy another service.
3 MIN READ ↗Will my usual VPN work in China?
Why it happens, and what to use instead.
Put what you learned into practice.
Got your route? Follow the VPN app setup steps for your device.