How to Watch American Netflix Outside the US

Netflix has become the number one high-end platform for all TV fans around the world. But have you ever wondered why your friends in the US are enjoying more of its content than you are in your region? I’ll answer that. The fact is there’s a catch to that only very few people know about. Various licensing deals and copyright laws limit your access. This means that you end up with what your country offers instead of having the extensive American catalog. But don’t worry, US residents won’t be the only ones enjoying Netflix’s full library. You’ll be able to do so as well by following this comprehensive guide.

Get US Netflix Abroad

Different Region, Different Catalog

Every region serves different Netflix content. The streaming service can only show content that’s permitted to a specific region courtesy of copyright and content distribution clauses. If a title isn’t available in your country, this geo-error message will pop up:

“This title is not available in your current region. Please select a different title.”

The problem lies in the distribution process. The streaming giant follows what people show interest in, so it buys the rights to the series and gives it exclusively to that specific region. For example, people in the US have always set their eyes on CW’s Star-Crossed, while other countries haven’t. As a result, the TV show is only available in America and restricted in all of the remaining countries.

That’s just a needle in a haystack. You have no idea how many other titles are missing in other areas. The United States has more than 1326 TV shows and 4339 movies. On the other hand, the United Kingdom has 542 shows and 2425 movies. You can see the huge difference in the catalogs right?

However, that’s not the only problem you’ll face. A while ago, I tried to outsmart the service by downloading an episode while in the US in hopes of watching it back in my country. Well, it didn’t turn out the way I hoped it would as downloads are also restricted. Yeah, this is what I got:

So, no streaming, no download, what else should a Netflix fan do? Netflix is by far the best option when it comes to video streaming services. Thousands of videos in the finest quality are available to those who know their way around. That’s why give it a couple of scrolls and learn how to tap into this vast library of content anywhere you may be.

But First!!!

Nothing we say in this article matters if you don’t have a valid Netflix subscription. Therefore, to those who are newcomers to the streaming industry, this is how you create a Netflix account:

1. First, go to Netflix’s official website and click on the “Try 30 Days Free” button.
2. After that, click on “See the Plans” on the next page.
3. You have three plans to choose from. Each one has its unique features. You can pick from Basic ($8.99), Standard$12.99), or Premium ($15.99).
4. Now, submit your email and password to create an account.
5. Choose your Payment Method. You have several options including Credit or Debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex or Discover), PayPal, or Netflix gift card.
6. Finally, tap on “Start Membership,” and you’ll become Netflix’s newest subscriber.

It’s a good thing that Netflix allows you to test its services for free during the first 30 days of subscription. That way, you’ll get a taste of what this streaming phenomenon can offer. Now, with that out of the way, let’s get you American Netflix in your region.

American Netflix Acquired

The best way to access the channel’s American library is to make it think that you’re in the US. There’s no better way to do so than with a VPN. You see, a Virtual Private Network is a cybersecurity tool that reroutes your entire internet traffic to a new location of your choosing.

Once you connect, you’ll receive an IP address in the region where the server is based, virtually spoofing your location to that territory in the process. As a result, you’ll get access to any service that has coverage in the area.

In your case, you’ll need an American server since US Netflix requires an IP address in the United States. The moment you establish a connection, you’ll be viewed as an American resident accessing the channel’s website or application. Consequently, the whole US catalog will be at your disposal.

But that’s not all that a VPN can do. It was created to be a security tool in the first place, and that’s precisely what it is. When your data goes through the server, it’ll be shielded with the latest military-grade encryptions. Now, no hacker can harvest your data even if you were using a public network at Cafes, restaurants, or even hotels.

Now that you know what a VPN is and does let’s get down to business. Here’s how you can get US Netflix overseas:

1. To start the process, you need to pick a reputable VPN provider and sign up with their service. Based on personal experience, ExpressVPN is all you need.
2. Create a VPN account and download the dedicated application from the VPN’s official website. You can also use your native App Store to do so.
3. After that, log in with your VPN credentials and click on the server list.
4. Connect to a US server and wait a few seconds until a Green Connected Button shows up.
5. Next, make sure that you have an American IP address by visiting this IP Checker.
6. Now, launch Netflix and search for Star-crossed.
7. If that appeared, sit back and enjoy endless binge-watching with unlimited US Netflix access.

Netflix’s VPN Retaliation

No matter how hard you try, if you don’t have a robust VPN provider, you won’t be able to unblock American Netflix overseas. Some VPNs don’t qualify to access Netflix as it has blocked their every attempt. Even the most trusted VPNs on the market haven’t been able to circumvent the block Netflix had issued. We’re not pointing fingers, but IPVanish is one of them. If you’re using a VPN that’s not credible enough, this error message will appear:

It’s a bummer actually especially when users rely on free VPNs. If you’re new to the VPN business, try to avoid free VPNs. First, they can’t access the service. Second, they might sell your data to sister companies. Don’t risk it guys just to save a few pennies. It’s your private information you’re paying up with. Moreover, if you’re willing to get US Netflix, I suggest you don’t use the following VPN providers:

• Zenmate
• BufferedVPN
• TunnelBear
• HotSpot Shield
• IPVanish VPN
• HideMyAss

So, Which VPN to Use?

In the step-by-step process above, I recommended ExpressVPN. Well, according to the tests I did, the VPN is more than capable of unblocking Netflix on whichever server you choose to connect to. Let me explain more about why ExpressVPN is your best option.

First, this VPN provider has more than 3000 servers in 94 countries. However, you’re looking for ones that help you unblock Netflix, so you should keep an eye on the 32 the company has in the United States. Second, ExpressVPN allows you to benefit from high-level encryption. Your data will be protected all the time against any cyber attack, hacking attempt, or monitoring process.

Third, the provider doesn’t keep you limited to what the VPN application is compatible with. Netflix supports several streaming devices that are not natively compatible with VPN clients. Therefore, you can use ExpressVPN’s free Smart DNS service to expand the range of streaming platforms. You’re not bound to Android, iOS, PC, Mac, and Fire Stick anymore. You now can stream US Netflix on the likes of PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Wii, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Smart TVs.

Finally, if you have problems setting up a VPN connection, you can always contact their support team via live chat. They will help you out in a jiffy. Nonetheless, ExpressVPN might be the obvious choice, but it’s for sure not the only one. BulletVPN is another contender that is able to bypass Netflix’s VPN blocking mechanism. To learn more about this provider, take a look at this comprehensive BulletVPN review.

In case none of the above suited your needs, check out other VPNs that can unblock American Netflix abroad in the table below.

Rank

VPN Provider

Link

1

• 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
• Unlimited Bandwidth
• Apps For All Your Devices
• 24/7 Live Support

Visit ExpressVPN

2

Visit BulletVPN

3

Visit IPVanish

4

Visit NordVPN

What to Expect from the Streaming Giant?

Every month, Netflix releases hundreds of titles to be added to its streaming library. However, the service is more focused than ever on producing its own content. As of 2019, we’ve seen the likes of Haunting on Hill House, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Jinn, and more to come. So, you’re still asking yourself; Why Netflix? Here’s like 2% of what you’ll be getting:

Devices & Compatibility

The best part about Netflix is that it’s available on a vast range of streaming platforms. Check them out below and see if yours is listed.

• PS4*
• Roku
• Chromecast*
• Apple TV*
• Amazon FireStick
• Smart TVs*
• iPhone
• iPad
• Android
• Xbox One*

The * refers to devices that are not natively compatible with VPNs but still support Smart DNS Proxy.

American Netflix – Signing off

When you live outside the US, a thousand titles available become hundreds. That’s not what a streamer looks for, the more, the merrier. However, now you know how to get yourself the US Netflix catalog. Just invest in a reputable VPN provider, connect to a US server, and you’ll be streaming Netflix just like any US resident does. Feel free to leave a comment if you need any help.