I’m sure there have been many instances when you try to access a streaming platform in a country and you are unable to do so because it is geographically restricted in that country. Almost all top-notch streaming services and other streaming services have geo-restrictions which allows these platforms to be accessed only in certain countries.
Even if you have a paid account on a streaming platform, you will not be able to directly access it in a country where it is geo-restricted. If you want to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms and access them in any country, you will need a VPN.
VPNs can help you access any streaming platform in any country. Virtual Private Networks create a private channel circumventing the restriction through which your connection is taken. This way, you easily get your way around the restriction in a safe and secure manner.
Steps to use a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms
Using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions is an easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide following which you can easily get access to any streaming platform in any country:
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN service. Start off by skimming though all VPN service options you have and select the one that best suits your needs. We strongly recommend ExpressVPN for guaranteed results.
Step 2: Get the VPN app for your device. You can download it from App Store on iOS and from the Play Store on Android. After downloading, install the VPN app.
Step 3: Set up the VPN app. Open the VPN app. Create a new account if you are new to the VPN service. Log in to your VPN account using the credentials used while creating the account.
Step 4: Connect to a server. On the VPN app, connect to a VPN server in the country where the platform you want to watch is available. For example, if you want to watch Paramount Plus outside the US, you will connect to a VPN server in the US.
Once connected to a VPN server in the right country, you can go ahead and access the streaming platform. You should now be able to get uninterrupted entertainment on your chosen platform from any country!
What is a geo-restriction?
Geographical restrictions are geographical demarcations determining the functioning of a service. Geo-restrictions on any service decide the availability and unavailability of services in certain areas. These restrictions may be a result of many reasons.
They may be imposed by the services themselves in order to maintain the exclusivity of the content collection offered by streaming services. Other than this, this may be due the distribution rights of the streaming platform. Streaming services sign agreements of copyright and licensing.
Geographical restrictions are imposed to abide by such agreements. So, streaming services are geographically restricted in certain countries which leads to the inaccessibility of that service to people physically present in those countries.
How to get past geographical restrictions?
Getting past geographical restrictions and thus getting access to any service you want is an easy process if you employ a VPN service on the device you want to use for streaming. Services follow these restrictions by denying access to devices which are located in countries where they are restricted and to do this they check the location of devices through their IP address.
What a VPN service does is that it hides the original IP address of your device which is the problem in getting access. And in return it gives your device a required IP address by connecting to a server of a country where the service is available. This is how the streaming service will see your location to be a country where the service is available, thus you get to stream on it from wherever you are.
How to choose a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions?
It is extremely important that you choose a VPN wisely. This is because your whole experience of bypassing geo-restrictions will be determined by your choice of VPN. Not all VPNs are capable of bypassing geo-restrictions.
First of all, you should stay as far away from free VPNs as you can. Free VPNs, instead of helping you get access, can land you in trouble by selling your data and identity to third-parties. They are ineffective in bypassing restrictions and maintaining safety and security of your connection.
Here is a list of the factors you should consider while choosing a VPN service:
- Good encryption technology
- Lot of server options in a large number of countries
- Good speed and connections
- High security features including a strict no-logs policy
- Easy to employ and use
- Website and app to be user-friendly for all kind of devices
- Multiple logins with one account
- 24/7 customer support
- Free trial or at least money-back guarantee for certain time period
We strongly recommend ExpressVPN for guaranteed results and the best user experience. It ticks all the factors listed above. You can go for it without giving it another thought!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bypass geographical restrictions on streaming platforms without using a VPN?
Yes it is possible to bypass geographical restrictions on streaming platforms without using a VPN and this by using smart DNS. Using smart DNS can deal with geographical restrictions and let you stream on any streaming platform you want. However, using a VPN service for the same is a more reliable option.
Why are some streaming platforms geographically restricted?
Streaming platforms are geographically restricted because they have copyright and licensing agreements in order to maintain the exclusivity of the content offered by them. This is why they are accessible in certain areas and restricted in areas where they are geographically restricted.
Is Netflix content geographically restricted?
Netflix is available in most of the countries of the world but it offers different content collections in different countries which is why some content available in one country might be geographically restricted in some other country.
Which VPN service is best for dealing with geographical restrictions?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for dealing with geographical restrictions and getting access to any online service you want from your location. This is because this VPN service can ensure that the process of bypassing restrictions is quick and completely safe.