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If you’re considering a premium VPN service, you may wonder how to get a VPN to watch Netflix. In addition to upholding your digital privacy, VPNs offer access to geo-locked content like BBC iPlayer or American Netflix while abroad. Luckily, you can access a wide range of streaming content from around the globe in a few easy steps. So, stick around to learn how to use a VPN on Netflix.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
For the most part, using a VPN with Netflix is relatively easy, and the process is similar to how to watch Hulu with a VPN. That said, Netflix does tend to frown upon the use of VPNs and actively works to block VPN connections if it detects your using an IP address associated with a list of known VPN IP addresses. The streaming giant does, after all, have a significant monetary incentive for doing so, as creators may not get paid for content viewed in locations where it isn’t licensed.
Insider Tip
Use your VPN’s Smart DNS feature to ensure the fastest streaming speeds for game consoles and streaming devices like the Apple TV.
Of course, all of this begs the question of whether you should use a paid or free service. While there are plenty of free VPN services for basic privacy, paid services are usually better, though make sure you know how much a VPN costs before signing up. Additionally, most paid VPN services provide a Smart DNS feature, which means you can learn how to install a VPN on a Firestick.
Most premium VPN services work with Netflix, and experts recommend paying for a yearly subscription because the per-month cost is less with a long-term plan. You can sign up for monthly charges to save on the initial investment.
You can find your VPN software for PC or Mac on your provider’s website. Additionally, most brands have mobile versions for Android and iPhone, and the installation process should be quick with either option.
Turn on your VPN software and sign in using your login info.
Navigate the server list and select the region you want to spoof. For example, if you watch American Netflix abroad, select an American server from the VPN service.
Once your VPN is connected, sign into your Netflix account.
Select the show you want to watch, and it should load without issue. If you see a streaming error, clear your Internet browser’s cache, and relaunch the browser.
Warning
You may suffer from connection latency by connecting to a VPN server that’s far away from your residential IP address.
STAT: A Pew Research Center poll showed that the percentage of Americans that did not use a home internet connection but owned a smartphone peaked in 2018 at 20%. (source)