Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. Hideandseek.online does not in any way or form condone nor encourage the use of VPNs as a means of violating copyright or other laws.
If you’re like me and based in a country with access to only a handful of Netflix titles, you need to know how to change Netflix Region. This service, while excellent, restricts content based on geography. It’s not their fault, but simply the nature of copyright and licensing.
Before I talk about the specifics of region restrictions though, let’s jump straight into the “how.” There are two main ways you can change Netflix region. Either use a proxy server or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.
3 Steps to Changing Your Netflix Region
While using a proxy server may work, it’s less secure and will almost certainly give you connection problems. I suggest you skip that and jump right in with a VPN instead. It’ll save you lots of time and futile effort. There is a big difference between a VPN and proxy service and the risk of using a proxy server simply isn’t worthwhile.
1. Sign up for a VPN
Most reputable VPN services will work with Netflix. I’ve tried many, and while the experience was slightly different, they nevertheless allowed me to change Netflix region. In this article, I’m going to be using CyberGhost as an example.
Head over to the CyberGhost page and choose a subscription package. Like most VPN services, CyberGhost charges top dollar for monthly subscriptions. Instead of that, opt for their two-year package and the price drops significantly.
The monthly cost of that will be less than the average price for a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Step 2. Download the VPN App
Once you’ve signed up, download the VPN app for your device. CyberGhost can be used on almost all devices, from PCs to Macs and even smartphones, routers, and more. Once you’ve downloaded it, simply run the installer.
You can also run CyberGhost on your router but I don’t recommend this, especially for streaming Netflix. Most routers are very low-powered and the encryption that VPNs enforce will result in a very slow and choppy streaming experience.
Step 3. Launch the VPN and Select a Server
From your device, launch the VPN app that you’ve just installed. You will need to log in with the correct credentials. Typically, this is the username and password you create when signing up for the service.
Most VPNs will work out of the box, as long as you’ve signed in with your username and password. The only thing you will need to do is choose a server to connect to. In the context of changing Netflix region, this is where the magic happens.
When you navigate to the Netflix website, it automatically detects your IP address and restricts the titles available based on the location that the IP shows. Because of that, you can use the VPN server to select the precise Netflix region to open.
For example, if I connect to a CyberGhost server in the US, Netflix will allow me to access US-region content.
Why Choose a VPN over Proxy for Netflix
Although VPNs are mostly dirt-cheap, some of you may be wondering why you have to pay for a VPN instead of using a free proxy server. The answer boils down to the capabilities Netflix has and how much it hates users who try and change their Netflix region.
Due to licensing fees and restrictions, Netflix is forced to control what it shows to specific audiences. It needs to block many users from most of its content, with the largest libraries being restricted to its US audience alone.
Free proxy servers are set up in the most cost-effective ways. They’re run out of data centers and only use a handful of IP addresses. These IP addresses are typically easily detected and blacklisted by Netflix.
When that happens, Netflix will show you a very generic error message such as m7111 while blocking you from the service.
Most VPN services run a huge number of servers and IP addresses. CyberGhost, for example, operates over 7,000 servers in 91 countries. Even a large business like Netflix can’t possibly prevent them all from accessing its service.
VPNs often offer media streaming capabilities as part of their key selling point. Going back to CyberGhost, it advertises a host of media streaming services that it works with such as Netflix, Disney+, ESPN, and YouTubeTV.
Final Thoughts
I’ve used various VPN services to change Netflix region for years now. Most of them have worked for me – CyberGhost, Surfshark, NordVPN, and more. The main difference in your choice of VPN between most reputable brands is simply pricing.
If your only interest is to access more Netflix content then I suggest you choose the cheapest one you can find that supports Netflix streaming. The only other point to take note of is which regions the VPN supports.
Not all VPNs will open access to every Netflix region. Most are simply focused on Netflix US since that’s where most content will be. If you want specific localized content, though, you need to check with the VPN service provider.