How to use a VPN to watch Netflix when traveling abroad

At this point it becomes clear how a VPN client makes life easier. There are actually only two steps to follow. The first step is to select the server. A prompt will appear on an iPhone using ExpressVPN Current location. I selected that and selected the United States, then Chicago. Then I clicked on the big red “Connect” button and watched as it turned green. This means I was connected to the Chicago server and ready to watch a Netflix show. Every VPN app works roughly the same: select the country and city, then click the big “Connect” button.

In my case, once I connected to that server in Chicago, I was able to go to Netflix.com to watch the movie Stranger Things without any problems. It also works with the Netflix apps on your smartphone or tablet, as long as your VPN app is also running on that device.

In case you’re wondering, this is completely legal. As long as you use your own paid account, a VPN simply allows you to access a streaming service from remote locations.

Troubleshooting

A VPN client is not always perfect. There may be times when you select a server in another country and still cannot connect or watch a Netflix show.

I was once in a slight panic about watching the season four finale Stranger Things. No spoilers, but let’s just say I knew there would be an epic battle. I used ExpressVPN while on vacation in this small town in Austria, and while everything usually worked fine, the server I tried to use in Chicago just wouldn’t cooperate on a Sunday afternoon. I chatted with online support, available directly in the iOS app on my iPhone, and the tech rep suggested using a server in New York City instead. That solved my problem.

Occasionally it happens that the server is overloaded with too many connections or is unavailable due to maintenance work. However, choosing another server solves this problem. You can even do a quick Google search e.g. B. “Which VPN server works best for Netflix in the US?” and search Reddit forums and other websites for help. Apparently a lot of people know that you can connect to a VPN while traveling, and maybe they even love the same shows. Netflix can also detect when too many people are using the service via a VPN server. You will notice that in this case you need to select a different one (e.g. Netflix blocked the server).

Also, a few caveats: I used the full, ad-free 4K version of Netflix. The ad-supported version may not work properly over a VPN if you travel abroad. The VPN workaround may also not work if you try to stream a live event on Netflix. Countries like Russia and China may also have restrictions on which VPN clients you can use.

Netflix is ​​also more likely to block VPN access when you use the mobile app. If you’re using your phone or tablet, it’s better to use Netflix.com in your browser and make sure your browser is set to “desktop” mode. When desktop mode is enabled, Netflix does not recognize that you are on a mobile device and redirects you to the mobile app.

The good news is that a VPN app works smoothly most of the time. I finally watched this final epic battle Stranger ThingsI also kept up to date with BBC reports via the BBC One website. I never missed a show and to be honest, that last fight was great.