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Turkey might be a beautiful, historic destination for tourists. But the freedom its crystal clear blue waters promise, unfortunately isnt something that carries over into the countrys virtual world.
In fact, the Turkish government has blocked access to lots of sites and online services over the years – more than 245 thousands websites were banned between 2014 and 2018 only, including Facebook and Wikipedia. When this happens, a virtual private network – VPN – is the tool you want to bypass online censorship.
This is a service that can help you get around blocked access to online destinations, so you can enjoy all the freedoms you perhaps take for granted at home – even when using the otherwise restrictive connections of Turkey.
So what sites are blocked in the country and why? And exactly which Turkey VPN should you choose? We have the information you seek right here.
Traveling to Turkey and wondering if you can use Messenger to stay in touch with friends and family back home? The answer is a resounding yes! Messenger, along with other popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram, work seamlessly in Turkey.
This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of using Messenger in Turkey, covering everything from data usage and costs to alternative options, tips for saving data, and more. Keep reading for all the information you need to stay connected with your loved ones while exploring this fascinating country.
An Overview of Using Messenger in Turkey
Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world Fortunately, it functions extremely well throughout Turkey As long as you have an internet connection, you can use Messenger to
- Send text messages
- Share photos and videos
- Make voice and video calls
- Create group conversations
Messenger offers an easy and convenient way to stay in touch no matter where you are in Turkey. You can connect over WiFi anywhere it’s available – in your hotel, at restaurants and cafes and so on.
The only potential issue is that using Messenger on your phone’s mobile data, rather than WiFi, can get expensive as it will use up your data allowance. But with the right preparation, you can easily avoid costly data usage.
Data Usage and Cost Considerations
When using Messenger exclusively over WiFi, you can enjoy all of its great features completely free of charge. However, if you use it on your mobile data plan, you will incur data charges. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Text messages use minimal data: Plain text messages without photos or videos consume very little mobile data.
- Voice messages are data-light: While video calling eats up a lot of data, voice messages use significantly less.
- Auto-downloading drains your allowance: Having Messenger automatically download media will burn through your allowance.
- ** Purchase a local SIM:** For heavy usage, get a local SIM with a Turkish data plan.
To conserve your data, be sure to disable auto-downloading of photos/videos in Messenger’s settings. Stick to WiFi whenever possible, and use voice messages instead of video calling.
Alternative Messaging Apps in Turkey
While Messenger is extremely popular in Turkey, it’s not your only option for staying connected. Other excellent messaging apps you can use include:
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WhatsApp: Widely used in Turkey with similar features to Messenger. Offers texting, calls, video chat, groups.
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Viber: Lets you message and call other Viber users for free. Also provides low-cost calling to non-users.
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Telegram: A secure, encrypted messaging app focused on privacy. Has self-destructing messages.
All of these apps function well in Turkey and give you alternatives if you need to conserve mobile data usage.
Tips for Using Messenger in Turkey
To ensure you have the best Messenger experience during your Turkey travels, keep these tips in mind:
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Download Messenger before you go to have it ready on arrival.
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Connect to WiFi whenever it’s available to avoid mobile data charges.
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Monitor your data usage closely and limit video calling.
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Consider buying a local SIM card if you’ll use Messenger a lot.
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Enable data roaming on your phone if using Messenger outside WiFi areas.
Staying Connected in Turkey with Messenger
With Messenger readily available across Turkey, staying connected with friends and family back home is quick and easy. Follow the tips in this guide to enjoy all of Messenger’s great features without getting hit by huge data costs. Share photos of your Turkish adventures, get advice while on the go, and video chat over your morning çay.
Whether you need to plan meetups with travel buddies or check in with loved ones, Messenger has you covered while visiting this incredible country. So get out there and explore – while still staying connected – with this indispensable messaging app.
What VPN should I use in Turkey?
Our top choices ExpressVPN and NordVPN have both consistently proved that they can beat any restrictions worldwide, offering great customer service if youre struggling. They also combine a vast array of security features as well as server locations. While using a free VPN is likely to lead to frustration thanks to their restricted usage and ad-heavy UX, and we don’t recommend it – and you can always try out a premium service risk-free with their 30 money back guarantee..
Just a step behind in our list, Surfshark is a perfect service if you want to circumvent government bans while saving some bucks. It is indeed one of the cheapest VPN services, combining quality and convenience. Its Noborders feature will make bypassing online censorship even easier. While, its Camouflage mode will mask the fact you are using a VPN.Compare todays best overall VPNs+3 MONTHS FREE
Which services are banned in Turkey?
Over the years, Turkey has blocked 130+ social media and news sites, including one of the countrys few remaining independent news sites, Bianet.org. Lots of individual content has also been blocked on sites, so even if the site is accessible it might not have the truth laid out as clearly as intended.
As mentioned before all the big social media platforms have been blocked at some point. These include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and Periscope. You could also struggle to access online tools like Google Docs, Translate, Books, Analytics or Tools as well as file sharing DropBox.
Even the likes of Wikipedia, Wikileaks, Blogspot and WordPress have been banned. Along with more dubious sites like YouPorn, The Pirate Bay and Megaupload. Sites including the music platform Deezer and cinema reviews IMDB have even been blocked, as well as video sharing sites YouTube, Metacafe and Vimeo.
Of course, this list will be in flux as these bans are constantly changing. To check if certain content or site is active, there are websites available which will help you to facilitate this.
10 Things NOT to do in TURKEY – MUST SEE BEFORE YOU GO!
FAQ
Does FB Messenger work in Turkey?
What messaging app works in Turkey?
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Usage Rank
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App and Publisher
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1
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1
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WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp LLC
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2
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2
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Google ChromeGoogle LLC
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3
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3
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TelegramTelegram FZ-LLC
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4
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4
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GmailGoogle LLC
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Can I use WhatsApp in Turkey?
Can I use Messenger for free internationally?