These days, almost everyone has a streaming service that they use to catch the latest films and TV shows. Whether you have a Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV or similar account, you’ll have loads of different choices to watch. However, there often comes a time when you hear about a new show and want to check it out only to find out it’s not available on your streaming service. Unfortunately, licenses mean that streaming platforms can often only show certain shows and movies in particular locations.
Services such as Netflix will show you content based on your location but luckily, there’s a great way to get around this. You can’t change your country in your account settings, but you can access different options when in another country. However, if you don’t fancy travelling to another country each time you want to watch something new, you can also use a VPN. These services route your online traffic through a server in another country, allowing you to change your location virtually. Some streaming platforms will detect if you’re using a VPN, but many VPN services can get around this.
How to Use a VPN to Access Streaming Services
A VPN, or virtual private network, allows you to appear as if you’re connecting from any country you like. This is a great way to get around geo-blocking and expand your streaming library. It’s very easy to use, and you can instantly connect and start watching. Here’s a short guide on using your VPN to improve your streaming service access:
- Choose a VPN that allows you to choose a server in a country of your choice – Most major VPNs allow this, and this will make it much easier for you to use. There are many different VPN services available, including paid and free options. The paid options usually give you more control over how you connect and are more likely to bypass the filters that streaming sites use.
- Install your VPN on the device you use to connect to the internet – Most VPNs allow you to install the software on multiple devices, so you can add your phone, laptop, laptop and internet-connected TV. This way, you’ll always be able to connect to any streaming service you like, and multiple people can watch at once.
- Choose a server to connect to – When you open your VPN on your device, it will give you the option of which server you want to connect to. Try out some of the major countries to experience how different the streaming platform libraries are. If you have a particular show or movie in mind, you can also lookup which country it’s exclusive to.
- Enjoy your shows! – Once you’ve connected to a server in a country of your choice, you’ll have a greater range of options available to watch. If you have trouble connecting to the streaming platform, try using a different server in the same country, as some will work better than others.
You can also use this method to continue watching your favourite shows when you go abroad on holiday. Not every country will offer the same shows you’re used to watching, so it can be frustrating if you’re away on holiday and want to watch the shows you like best. By connecting to Netflix or another streaming service through a VPN, you can still sign in as normal and continue watching. Your account isn’t in any danger by doing this, as Netflix cannot close your account simply for watching a show in another country. You may find that sometimes, the connection over a VPN is a little slower than you’re used to. This is an unfortunate side effect that will be more common over some servers than others. However, you can get around it simply by pausing the show or movie and letting it buffer for a few minutes before you start watching.
