OpenAI Not Available in Your Country? Unblock it Easily!

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OpenAI Not Available in Your Country

OpenAI is responsible for game-changing technologies like ChatGPT that may change the world. Although this research lab is excited to work with developers across the planet, its resources aren’t yet accessible to everyone.

If you don’t live in one of its supported countries, you’ll get this message when you try to create an account:

OpenAI error message

So, why is that the case? Keep reading to understand where OpenAI is unavailable and learn easy workarounds to unblock it from anywhere.

Why is OpenAI not available in your country?

As of writing, OpenAI grants API access to developers from 161 countries and territories. In comparison, the United Nations has 183 members. So, this American AI research and deployment company doesn’t offer its services to at least 20 states.

OpenAI isn’t candid about why it excludes some jurisdictions from its area of availability. But the countries currently on its unsupported list have common denominators. They tend to have a rocky relationship with the US or have a repressive government.

Here are some of them:

  • Afghanistan
  • Belarus
  • China (including Hong Kong and Macau)
  • Cuba
  • Egypt
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Syria
  • Vietnam
  • Venezuela

Moreover, OpenAI’s geo-restrictions would kick in when someone in Ukraine attempts to set up an account. This Eastern European country wants to be friendly with the West, but its citizens may not be able to get their hands on OpenAI’s innovations as long as Russian forces are there.

Despite the roadblocks the company has set in place, you may be able to complete all of its account verification steps even though your phone number is registered in an unpermitted jurisdiction.

OpenAI phone verification

How to unblock OpenAI from anywhere

Do you want to experiment with OpenAI’s base models for natural language, but GPT-3 is not available in your country?

We recommend two tried-and-true fixes so that you can enjoy unrestricted access to the company’s resources through API.

1. Use a VPN

OpenAI filters out users from unsupported regions by checking the IP address of their device. To bypass its IP blockers from anywhere, you need to spoof your location.

The best way to do this is to mask your IP with a VPN. This tool doesn’t only cloak your real IP, but it can also encrypt your data to hide your online activity from snoopers.

Since OpenAI is widely available, you’d use a VPN with the widest global server network. Our top recommendation is Surfshark.

The app offers more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries and territories. It has a huge selection of VPN locations in Europe, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. This means your traffic doesn’t have to travel halfway around the world to obscure your IP.

If your government doesn’t approve of VPNs, Surfshark offers amazing features such as Camouflage and NoBorders modes that can help you play hide and seek with the authorities.

If Google Play is banned from where you’re physically located, you can download its APK file from its site so that you can install it on your Android device.

To get started with Surfshark VPN, follow these simple steps:

  1. Visit Surfshark’s website and pick a subscription.
surfshark choosing a subscription
  1. Download the right app for your device.
installing surfshark
  1. Launch your Surfshark.
  2. If you’re an Android user, tap Locations to see its entire list of VPN server locations.
choosing a location
  1. Select an OpenAI-supported country like Argentina.
surfshark locations
  1. Once your connection is successful, continue your OpenAI signup.
connecting to argentina
  1. Create an OpenAI account, and enjoy its full capacity.
creating an open AI account with surfshark

2. Clear your browsing data

Are you still getting the error message? It’s probably because your browser is leaking your real location to OpenAI.

To wipe its memory clean, here’s how to erase cookies and cached files on Google Chrome:

  1. Tap the ellipsis icon.

    chrome ellipsis icon settings

  2. Select History.

    chrome drop down menu

  3. Open the Clear browsing data window.

    chrome clear browsing data button

  4. Choose how far back you want to go before deleting your browsing data.

    chrome clear browsing data time range

  5. Make sure that the Cookies and site data and Cached images and files boxes are checked.

    Chrome on Android Clear browsing data Cookies and Cached Files

  6. Tap Clear data.

    chrome clear data button

  7. Reconnect to your VPN.

    surfshark vpn connected to argentina server

  8. Refresh the OpenAI page to determine whether it detects your masked IP.

  9. OpenAI should now be fully unblocked.

    openai unblocked in your country

The steps above, in combination with proper VPN usage, will bypass any and all OpenAI geo-restrictions. Surfshark also offers advanced leak protection, so you can rest assured that once you’ve unlocked the API, you won’t be kicked out again.

Surfshark

Surfshark

Unblock OpenAI from anywhere and enjoy its exciting capabilities with Surfshark.

Wrap up

There’s no doubt that the company’s technologies have captured the interest of developers the world over.

So if you’re one of them and OpenAI is not available in your country yet, follow our recommendations to successfully unlock its capabilities.

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