Hong Kong IP or Non-HK IP: why it matters for ChatGPT and other apps

What "internet exit" means

Your phone connects to a local network in the country you're visiting, but your data may be routed back to a hub before it reaches the internet. Websites and apps see the IP address of that hub, so a plan that exits in Hong Kong makes you appear to be in Hong Kong.

Which apps are affected?

• AI assistants: ChatGPT and Google Gemini aren't available in Hong Kong, so they may refuse to work on a Hong Kong exit
• Streaming: you may see the Hong Kong catalogue rather than your home one
• Banking and payments: some apps flag logins from an unexpected country and ask for extra verification
• Search and shopping: results and prices may be localised to Hong Kong

For maps, messaging, email and most browsing, the exit location makes little difference.

How to choose

1. Open the country page, for example Japão or Thailand.

2. Look at the internet exit on each plan card. Plans exiting in Hong Kong carry a note.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch an installed eSIM to a different exit? No. The exit belongs to the plan, so you'd need to buy the other version. Will a VPN fix it? It may, but some services block VPNs. Choosing the right plan is simpler.