It's no secret that Netflix's massive library is different depending on your location. It's annoying, but it all depends on the licensing agreements. In short, if the license for a show or movie is not available in your country, Netflix cannot buy it.
How to Watch Netflix from Another Country
Netflix doesn't have a setting that helps you change your location to access new content. That would circumvent licensing laws, violating Netflix's terms and conditions. For this reason, some creative tricks must be used to get access to more titles.
VPN is one of the most recommended ways to bypass Netflix geo-restrictions. However, not all virtual private networks (VPNs) can fool Netflix. According to the Netflix Help Center, "using a VPN to access Netflix hides your region and only allows you to watch TV shows and movies available for all regions globally" . In other words, Netflix expects your library to shrink. However, with the right VPN, you can easily watch the Netflix library from another country (more details below).
There is also another technology called DNS tunneling or Smart DNS. Both ways serve the same ultimate purpose: They make Netflix think your device is in a different region than the one you actually are in.
It is important to note that these methods have some limitations. For example, you won't be able to use Chromecast to stream Netflix from your phone to your TV. These methods can also negatively affect buffering and streaming speeds. However, the upside is that you'll have a larger video library than ever before.
In general, while you can use DNS proxies to access regionally blocked content, it also exposes you to some security risks. Furthermore, using a suitable VPN for Netflix will be more reliable. However, a VPN's biggest strength is how easy it is to get started.
Is It Legal to Watch Netflix with a VPN?
Before you start using a VPN for Netflix, you may wonder if it's legal. The short answer is yes. While some may liken it to content piracy, it essentially bypasses georeferenced content keys. Additionally, unlike piracy, most other countries have no laws against this method At publication time. It's important to note that this may change depending on where you reside and the law is regularly updated. For those reasons, it's best to verify the laws and regulations in your region before using a VPN.
Is It Possible to Access Another Country's Netflix Library Using a VPN?
A VPN allows you to change your IP address, making it look like you're in another country, but your Netflix account won't change. If you want to watch a show that's only available in the US, you'll need a Netflix account based in the US and an IP address based there.
Setting up a Netflix account abroad is difficult. While purchasing a Netflix gift card from Amazon may be possible, note that you will also need a US phone number to confirm your Netflix subscription. The disappointing thing is that Netflix won't give you a specific error message, but it may detect that you're trying to cheat the system.
Even though Netflix says it's not possible, you can actually watch another country's Netflix library using your existing Netflix account. If you believe in Netflix, you might think that using a VPN will mainly help you enjoy your country's Netflix movies and TV shows while you're traveling. But this may not be true.
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