How to change your Netflix region so you can watch different TV shows and movies

You can change your Netflix region by using a VPN, which may let you watch different content on the streaming service. Netflix offers different TV shows and movies depending on the country and region. Netflix can recognize many VPN services and prevent you from redirecting to a different locale.

While Netflix offers a vast catalog of TV shows and movies, you might be dissatisfied with what’s available in your country or region — you might want to watch a particular show that’s not accessible on Netflix where you live. That’s because the content on Netflix differs by region, and not every country offers everything that’s available elsewhere. There are legal, copyright, and sometimes political considerations that determine what Netflix shows in each region.

Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t allow you to change your region unless you move there. When you do, you’ll automatically have access to the content Netflix offers in the area, because the service knows your computer’s IP address , which reveals your location. How to change your Netflix region with a VPN If you want to change your Netflix region without moving, it’s sometimes possible to do that using a virtual private network ( VPN ).

A VPN is designed to enhance your security and privacy by routing your internet service through computers in a different country, giving you a different IP address and effectively disguising your location. The first step in attempting to change your Netflix region is to choose a VPN. Then do this: 1.

If you haven’t already, subscribe to Netflix. 2. Install and set up the VPN you would like to use.

3. Use the VPN software to connect your computer to a VPN server located in the country where you want to access Netflix. 4.

Open Netflix in a web browser and log into your account if you’re not already signed in. At this point, Netflix should recognize your VPN server’s location and redirect you to the region serving that country. You should be able to log in and watch any content available in that location.

That said, there are some important caveats. Using a VPN to circumvent your home country’s content is a violation of Netflix’s terms of service, and Netflix could terminate your account if it recognizes what you are doing, though online documentation of such instances is scant. Even if you don’t lose your account, Netflix actively recognizes many VPN services and does not allow you to redirect to a different locale.

Instead, if Netflix recognizes that you are using a VPN, the service may only allow you to see content that’s commonly available to all regions globally, which will reduce the content that’s available to you. Best VPNs IPVanish VPN VPNs can help you access different content on streaming services, but most importantly provide secure and private internet access. Check out our favorites in our guide to the best VPNs : Best overall: ExpressVPN, from $8.

32 per month Best runner-up: NordVPN, from $3. 29 per month Provides the most servers: CyberGhost, from $2. 23 per month Best for customer support: IPVanish, from $3.

33 per month Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft.

As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he’s also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less.