author Written by Thomas Fals
Posted in Netflix
110 comments

Netflix USA – How to Watch Netflix Outside the US

If you are travelling abroad the US or simply live outside the US you will soon learn that in order to watch Netflix you need to be a little sneaky. That is because Netflix is a US only service and the website will check your location by checking your IP-address, which will give away your location. So to trick Netflix into thinking you are inside the USA you need to get an American IP-address.

How to Hide Your Location From Netflix

In order to get an American IP address you have to connect to a VPN server. VPN stands for private virtual network – it is far less complicated than it sounds. When you connect to a VPN server it will act as a middleman between you and the website you want to connect to, and if the VPN server is located in the US it will then look like you are too.

How to Setup a VPN Connection to Watch Netflix Outside the US

Most VPN providers can make you appear to be in the US, but frankly only a handfull have the bandwidth needed to stream high quality video. I prefer Hide My Ass VPN  as they give me the best results and the setup is the easiest I have come across. To setup the connection you install a small app for either PC or Mac and select where in the US you want to hide – that is it. The app will allow you to test out what server will give you the best speed – a valuable tool for getting the most out of your connection. Basically it takes all the hard work out of setting up a VPN.

US Netflix Outside the US

You can also do a manual setup if you prefer, and once signed up you get access to settings for iPad, iPhones and Android phones as well. Check out the service here

Signing up  for Netflix Without a US Credit Card

You don’t need an American credit card when signing up for Netflix – just make sure that you use a 5 digit zip code (90210 comes to mind) and you can use any valid card you like.

Don’t forget that a VPN connection can be used for more than watching Netflix outside the US. You can also use it to unblock Hulu and other American Websites. Netflix is just the top of the iceberg. That’s it – so if you travel outside the USA or go abroad this is the way to go. You can check out Hide My Ass here

What About Game Consoles, TVs, Apple TVs and Blu-Ray Players?

Some devices can’t connect directly to VPN but instead you have 3 different options that will allow you to share your VPN connection to any device:

The first two options are the easiest as simply share the VPN connection from your computer. The last option requires flashing a router with special firmware, which can be a little tricky for some.

Netflix USA Equals Lots of Content

The Netflix USA library is the largest of any Video on Demand provider giving you access to more than 13.000 different movies and TV shows. As of May 2012 Netflix has signed a new deal with Twentieth Century Fox making Prison Break, 24, The X-Files, Arrested Development, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Wall Street, Office Space and lots more available for Netflix streaming and Netflix has just announced that Arrested Development will air new episodes exclusive to Netflix in May 2013.

How to setup VPN on Windows

HideMyAss on Windows

Watch this quick video to learn how to setup and use the VPN application on Windows.
Play Video
How to setup VPN on OSX

HideMyAss on OS X

Watch this quick video to learn how to setup and use the VPN application on OS X.
Play Video

Setup VPN Manually on Windows

If you want to use the build in VPN client in Windows you can simply use settings from Hide My Ass and setup a connection manually.
Setup VPN on Windows

Setup VPN Manually on OS X

If you want to use the build in VPN client in OS X you can simply use settings from Hide My Ass and setup a connection manually.
Setup VPN on OS X
  • Oscar

    This is awesome – I have been looking high and low for something that actually worked. Finally an alternative to stupid proxies that never work. Thanks a lot

    • Lagonzo

      anyone know how i do this with my apple TV? how do i get a VPN connection with that, or do i connect through the MAC? I am in mexico

      • http://twitter.com/VPNinfo VPNinfo
        • http://www.facebook.com/phil.durber Phil Durber

          I managed to join up and browse the videos but when I try to watch its say ing java script is not activated and when i do activate i cant watch anything? help please

          • Anonymous

            I have never heard of this problem before. It should not be related to VPN but rather a browser issue – you should always run your browser with javascript activated. Give it a try with Chrome or Firefox?

  • Cherryjalt

    I have hotspot shield on my computer, which allows me to use netflix to watch videos on my computer. Can I somehow stream these to my TV using Apple TV without getting Strong VPN and that device you mention?

  • Salvon

    Hmmm. I have a VPN service with Witopia. Still cannot use Netflix. Please help

    • http://twitter.com/VPNinfo VPNinfo

      I have no idea about Witopia and their setup – we recommend using Strong VPN as it is the most reliable service.

  • Bobo

    Seems like Netflix is blocking me even though I can get into other sites like Hulu. Might be Silverlight is telling on me, but there is a leak somewhere? Any suggestions, my VPN works great for everything but Netflix and this is recent. Thanks for any help

    • http://twitter.com/VPNinfo VPNinfo

      Are you using some other VPN provider than Strong VPN? Silverlight is not the problem that is for sure. The only reliable provider we have found is Strong VPN – many of the others get blocked out by Netflix.

  • Andreas

    Just got the whole thing setup a couple of hours ago and I have just watched my first Netflix movie here in Germany. It is awesome – I wish I have know this before.

  • Eugène

    Great post – finally I have Netflix here in France as well. I did not know what server to choose when I set it up, so I just took a random one. Is that ok?

    • http://twitter.com/VPNinfo VPNinfo

      As long as the server is located in the US you should be just fine. As you say you are already streaming Netflix from France.

  • Pedro Santini1

    email me at pedro.santini1@gmail.com if you would like me to help you setup your netflix account to work outside of the us. its pretty easy to setup.

  • nilbog

    i have a vpn from a friend in the US and im connected, but i still cant access anything. im in germany right now. when i go to the netflix site i cant even register for a free trial because the letter code i need to enter does not appear on my website. hulu also says i cant watch their videos because im outside the us. netflix and hulu both see me as still being in germany but i cant figure out why. any suggestions?

    • nilbog

      the letter code (captcha) doesnt appear on my browser..not website. ive tried with different browsers but still no go…

  • Jester

    Finally, a clear solution! I’ve been scouring the internet for 2 weeks trying to figure out how to get around that pesky GeoIP.

    • Annndi

      Ditto. Me too, here in Canada. I got netflix and hulu working from my laptop via vpn ip address – but to the author of this article: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for providing the name of a good vpn company, I’ve tried so many shitty ones!
      Now, I just have to get it working on my Wii (I get to browse my movies, but when I try to ploay, it says “can;t stram from this location”) Booo! But apparently there’s an article on this problem here – gonna look into it!

      Thanks again, James Wilkinton >>You rock!
      ~Andi (a thankful chick in Canada)

  • Ghontu

    VPN – i understand, but what if i leave US for good and do not have any postal address
    And my paypal/CC numbers are from a different country

    - can I still maintain and watch netflix ?

    does anyone have experience with this financial complication
    (I have heard that netflix is monitoring external use not merely to identify proxy users or now vpn users – but to expand their market internationally)

    • Anonymous

      I am using this method from Denmark with a Danish card without problems

      • Ghontu

        did you change the postal address on your netflix account page ?

        • Anonymous

          I am using a US address ofcourse.

  • Themikeyoulike

    Going to Korea for a year. Thank you very much for the info.

    • datbigbodyboy

      You must be military. Wonder if I can use my playstation for netflix?

      • thomasfals

        Sure you can – read this article http://vpnfreedom.com/playstation-3/tutorial-how-to-get-netflix-on-a-ps3-outside-the-us/

  • Lewi165

    What device do I need to watch movies on my tv in Mexico? An Xbox? Wii? Can I connect from my laptop direct to the tv?

    • Anonymous

      Whatever device that supports Netflix. The most easy would perhaps be your laptop as you can connect directly to VPN from that. On a Xbox and Wii you need to have a vpn router connected. There are articles about both scenarios on this site.

    • http://twitter.com/VPNinfo VPNinfo

      Whatever device that supports Netflix. The most easy would perhaps be your laptop as you can connect directly to VPN from that. On a Xbox and Wii you need to have a vpn router connected. There are articles about both scenarios on this site.

  • A2P

    From HOTELS outside the US? I tried a similar service before when staying in a Hotel outside the US – a Marriott (American Hotel) – and when logging onto the Hotel WIFI, Netflix would not connect, pretexting I was outside the US. Has anyone tested this platform from a HOTEL Wi-Fi outside the US?

    • Anonymous

      If there is no data restriction on the hotel network of how much data you can download then it will work just fine with a VPN connection.

  • Nathan3306

    will this work both on the laptop and xbox?

  • editgkeditgk

    Hello. Great and enlightening article. Two questions though before I proceed: [1] what is the issue about the “US” postal address, zip code etc? Do I have to improvise? Is there a chance that everything goes well with the VPN subscription and that I find myself blocked and hanging during the NETFLIX subscription at the stage of filling in the details? [2] if eventually everything goes ok and I start my legitimate NETFLIX streaming, is there a possibility to actually download the streamed media and keep it in my personal movie library in order to watch it later, at my discretion, on any device of mine (eg my iPhone, my iPad, my MacBook etc)? Thx in advance for any help and / tip. Much obliged. George.

    • Anonymous

      You will not need a US address in order to subscribe. I have not had problems signing up as long as I was connected to VPN. You can not download the movies from Netflix. In theory you could record the screen and system audio I guess, but why not just stream the movie again if you want to watch it once more?

  • Mesbda

    Hello, I really need help.

    I have a Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH router with firmware DD-WRT v24SP2-EU-US. I connect to the internet through a DSL connection. I recently opened a VPM account with HideMyAss.

    I wish to connect my router to my HideMyAss VPN.
    Can you please help me. I have no idea how do this.

  • Lisa

    Perfect – this is awesome. Works just great – I have missed Netflix so much!

  • Anonymous

    UPDATE:

    I have an American and a Brazilian Netflix account.
    Netflix allows you to use your account anywhere. It doesn’t matter where your account is from. However, it will only let you watch the movies available in the region you are in, or pretending to be with a VPN connection. 
    This means one can open a Brazilian account and connect to the US  site with VPN. You don’t need an American account anymore in order to use the US site !

    This info is verified as of Sep, 13, 2011.

    • Anonymous

      Perfect I will update the article accordingly – thanks for the feedback

  • Freedm9

    I am in Korea and it works.  Thanks!!!!

  • Shermeme

    Yay!!! I just found this page… went and set up the account… and it works!!! I am a med student in St. Kitts!!! Awesome! watching netflix now in another window!

    • Joey

      I’m in Kitts now and did the same thing!

  • http://twitter.com/aguiazen Felipe Junqueira

    Yeah! I confirm that to. Because I have an Brazilian Account and just setup an HMAss account to works in netflix with “USA filter” and so much more series and films to see. I moth from now I will test this in china…I hope it works because this is my principal reason for trying this procedure. Thanks to author of this post to share your experience and help other (like me) to find a good solution for VPN.

  • Mark

    Living in Tanzania now. Simply brilliant…it works! Set-up self explanatory…able to watch movies on VUDU immediately!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1270173689 Javier Santino

    An interesting thing is that once the movie starts streaming, you can shut off VPN and the movie will continue streaming with your regular connection, and that means full bandwidth! HMA is great, this is the best method by far!

  • Anonymous

    The Airport Extreme can not create a VPN connection. Hence the mention of the Buffalo router.

  • Anonymous

    the wast majority do. I have only heard from 2-3 users who had problems with their non us cards. Netflix does not check billing address but rather location via IP.

  • Exsubvet

    If I am a U.S subscriber and move to canada, can I use a Roku box to stream videos through my condo complex that has existing cable?

  • Char

    I set up my acct, and I’m able to hide my IP to use Netflix on my PC..but how can I block the IP on my router since I use a cable modem? Any suggestions..

  • Bookat

    Great article. Quick question though; I already have a Canadian netflix account, so if i just get a vpn service i get connected to US netflix automatically or am i missing a step? thx in advance

    • Anonymous

      Yes you got it. Netflix will serve the content according to where you are located so if you fake your location with a VPN you will get the US content.

  • Mariajose Gv

    Hi!
    Can I use this VPN on my bravia TV and/or sony blu-ray? If so, how can I do it?

  • Justindavidwilliams

    I have already setup a Netflicks account in the UK can i still use the VPN to trick NF i am currently in the USA ?

    • Anonymous

      Yes you can. Simply connect to a VPN server in the US and then log in with your UK Netflix account. That way you will get access to all the US content.

  • RTD

    I’m assuming there is no way to set up VPN on my Apple Airport Extreme?  If I want all of my devices to be able to access a VPN, then I would need the ASUS router?

    • Anonymous

      Yes the Airport Extreme can’t connect to VPN. You need a router like the Asus

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HDHOCOQHZHICGZ4USTLR2RS4Q4 August Dietrich

    What if the country you visited was not included with the servers that they have, Would it still work?

    • Anonymous

      Hi there. Yes you will not need a server in the country you are visiting, but a server in the US. You would need a server in lets say Germany if you wanted to unblock a German service and so forth.

  • Nyla_oconnor

    Hi, I have a UK Netflix account! Can I use HMA to find a UK server?

    • Anonymous

      HMA has servers in the UK but you will need to connect to their US server in order to get access to the US content.

  • Carrilloed7

    Hi!! I was wondering if this works the same when wanting to watch Netflix in the US but from another country?

    • Anonymous

      Yes you can use this trick and reverse it to get say the UK version in the US

  • Greatb

    I downloaded this on my laptop and it worked as a charm…THANK YOU!  But, I still need help….how do I change the IP address on my itouch and ipad?

  • peewee

    will this work on wii?

    • Anonymous

      Yes it will http://vpnfreedom.com/wii/how-to-watch-netflix-on-the-wii-outside-the-us/

  • Renae

    Can I use the service on two computers for the same price (at school and home)?

    • thomasfals

      Yes you can

  • Nick

    Sorry Im sure this question has been answered. So I am canadian with a canadian netflix account and canadian address/ cc etc. If I were to do this… I could use the VPN service, log onto netflix with my existing user info and password.. and it would just redirect me to the US version? In terms of the Postal code change… would I need to do that in my settings first and THEN do the VPN thing? or does that matter. Thanks!

    • thomasfals

      Hi there. You can use your Canadian account without a problem. Simply sign up for Hide My Ass and then connect with the VPN connection. When you log into Netflix you will then be presented with the US content. No need to create a new American Netflix account.

  • Luisa

    Thank you so much for this – I was going crazy trying to figure this out

  • Ginbinger93

    I am now living in Lima, Peru and just found this site. I just signed up for Netflix but e wry thing is in Espanol. If I sign up for the VPN can I still use my existing log in info or will I need to cancel the account and create a new one with the VPN?

    • thomasfals

      If you use VPN with your existing Netflix account and log on to a server in the US then you will get the US version of Netflix.

  • Pgonzalez1

    Hello, how can I change my IP address on my Sony bravia? So i can use netflix

    • thomasfals

      You need to use a VPN router for if you want to use the Netflix app on your TV. http://vpnfreedom.com/vpn-routers-review/ Also make sure that you register for an American Sony account on the TV.

  • Str8upcrazyman

    If I order this service for my PC, can I also use the same ordered service for my Android?  Or do I need to purchase an additional package for each device?
     

    • thomasfals

      You can use the same account on all your devices

  • Jblack-forster

    Can I use this app on my motorola tablet

    • thomasfals

      Simply use the build in VPN client on the tablet together with Hide My Ass

  • Lanamparis

    Can I do this on a playstation3?

  • thomasfals

    Yes as long as you use a VPN connection as described in the article.

  • thomasfals

    Yes and no – check this guide on how to get Netflix to work on the Kindle Fire from outside the US http://vpnfreedom.com/kindle/how-to-use-the-kindle-fire-from-outside-the-us/

  • Sue

    My son is in Kingston Ontario can he use this service?

    • thomasfals

      Yes he can – this will work as mentioned above

  • thomasfals
  • thomasfals

    Yes it works both ways. You can simply use one of the Latin American servers from HMA and then you will have access to Latin Netflix content while in the US.

  • RogersEvilEmpire

    looks like you do not need to set up US account. you can access the US content with a Canadian account simply by using a vpn.

    • thomasfals

      Yup that is true. The only thing that determines the content is the location. Simply fake it with VPN and you are good to go.

  • Ashley

    Can I use this IP address on Wii as well?

  • jose

    If i have a samsung galaxy s 3 in spain, can i connect through VPN from my mobile data plan, or do i have to connect wifi through a router and apply the vpn to the router connection?
    Thanx

    • thomasfals

      You can use the build in VPN client of the Galaxy. No need for a router with VPN.

  • Ronisss

    Can i use this in israel ??

  • thomasfals

    Simply disconnect from VPN and you will revert to the Canadian version (if you live in Canada that is)

  • thomasfals
  • thomasfals
  • http://www.facebook.com/rich.howitt Rich Howitt

    Once I set it up using a VPN, do I need to keep it on all the time using Netflix, or just the first time to set it up?

    • thomasfals

      You need to use VPN all the time when watching Netflix

  • cc

    hi i was able to set up the account but after the month trial then it needs the post code of the credit card billing address so i can not renew? any ideas? thanks

    • thomasfals

      Simply use an American zip code like 90210 and you are good to go.

  • http://twitter.com/JHDGunter Manie Gunter

    I have an 10gig data plan from 8ta in South Africa. Can i use it to watch netflix? Will i only be able to watch 10gig worth off movies?

    • thomasfals

      Hi there – this trick will not bypass whatever data plan you have with your provider. So yes in your case you will be able to watch 10gb worth of movies.

  • disqus_XcVu8EAC8Q

    Hoping you can help…I just purchased a roku 2, it is now setup with a Canadian address, I have also the Canadian netflix, setup as Canadian. How do I get the American netflix? From what I understand I need a vpn from the states which is going to cost me $7 a month? Help!!

  • wayne

    I have a Canadian Netflix account through my PS3, how can I change the VPN on it to get the US Netflix?

  • Andy

    Thanks for the tip. Sharing the VPN connection to my Samsung TV has made a world of difference to me. Cheers

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