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How to Change Netflix Region

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Looking on how to change Netflix region? It’s actually a very easy thing to do. You just need to know how. This guide shouldn’t take any more than 10 minutes to follow, so, keep on reading!

Why? Well, for those of you who don’t know, due to licensing issues, Netflix is not allowed to display all movies and shows universally. Some of them are geo-blocked. For example, “The Office”, which is a very popular show, isn’t available to watch in numerous parts of Europe. 

Depending on your region, there is a chance that more than 50% of Netflix’s library is unavailable to watch. So, without any further ado, here’s how to bypass these kinds of restrictions!

1: Choose A Reliable VPN

The easiest and most effective way of changing our Netflix region is by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs can be installed as any other software on your device and offer an additional layer of security/privacy while using them. 

However, the reason that we truly need one in this particular case is because they also give us the ability to “Disguise” ourselves. A VPN can fool websites; including Netflix; into thinking that you’re browsing from another place in the world. 

This feature is extremely useful for bypassing geo-blocked websites and content like movies and shows on Netflix. That being said, this is why our first and most important step of changing our Netflix region is choosing a good VPN. 

Normally, a Google search would be more than enough to find a VPN. However, there are tons of them to choose from. So, finding the ideal candidate can become a bit of a pain; which is why we’re here to help you out. 

Things to Consider When Choosing A VPN

Most paid VPN apps will work just fine for most applications. But, when it comes to using one for Netflix? Let’s just say that your choice needs to meet some criteria: 

  1. Ideally, you want the best bang for your buck: Pretty obvious. Nobody wants to spend more money than needed
  2. Needs to be able to bypass Netflix’s detection system: Netflix has an algorithm which detects if you’re using a VPN or not. You want something that can bypass that
  3. Speed: Streaming high-quality videos is one of the most bandwidth-intensive tasks that one can do. Having a VPN that’s fast enough to stream movies or shows is an absolute requirement
  4. Security and reliability: Using a VPN means that the user is switching from trusting his data to his ISP (Internet Service Provider) over to the VPN provider. So, make sure to choose someone who will surely not sell that data to 3rd parties
  5. Available locations: Most VPN apps allow you to choose from a plethora of virtual locations. Make sure that you can get as many as possible
  6. Cross-platform support: Most of us use at least a phone and a computer. If you’re intending on using the VPN for multiple devices, then pick one that supports multiple platforms (Android, Windows, iOS, Mac, etc)

With all of that being said, we think that Express VPN is a very solid option. It starts at 6.5 euros per month, works with Netflix while also offering the necessary speeds for streaming, and it’s also known as one of the most reliable choices out there. 

How to change netflix region

It’s available for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux and gives you a ton of regions to choose from. Overall, it’s a solid choice. Still, if you don’t like it, feel free to make your own choice. 

Check out Express VPN on its official website

 

2: Setup The VPN

At this point, you hopefully understand what a VPN does and why we need it for this to work. So, after choosing a VPN, you need to set it up in order for it work with Netflix. 

Guides are usually not necessary for such simple things, but here’s how to do it anyway: 

  1. Download and install your VPN from its official website
  2. Select the region of your preference
  3. Wait for the connection to establish
  4. And that’s it

How to switch netflix region

The process may slightly differ from VPN to VPN. But, generally, it’s as simple as opening the app and choosing a specific region to connect to. 

When it comes to Netflix, the best choice is usually the US. Still, make your own research on that. If you Google search a show and it shows up on Netflix but you still can’t see it, then chances are that you’re still geo-blocked. 

If that happens, just make a Google search, see which regions have access to the show or movie that you are after, and switch to that server with your VPN. 

Can I Use My Netflix Account Overseas? 

Yes, you absolutely can. If you are using a VPN, then your physical location doesn’t really matter. In the virtual world, you can live anywhere you want. 

And if you don’t have a VPN? Well, then the situation slightly changes. Some regions, like Greece, can normally access but with limited content. Others, like China, will not allow you to get in at all. 

So, to wrap things up: 

  1. For VPN users: doesn’t really make a difference
  2. For non-VPN users: depends on your location

How to Change Netflix Region: Wrapping Up

So, for those of you who are looking on how to change Netflix region, all you basically need is a trustworthy and fast VPN that can bypass geo-restrictions. 

90% of the process is all about trying to find the right VPN for the job. After that, it’s all a matter of opening the app and connecting to a location that is not geo-blocked. 

Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll need to have a Netflix subscription as well. And it sucks that we need to pay for Netflix AND for a VPN service to access all of the content that we were paying for anyway. But, that’s how it is.

And that’s about it. If you’ve got any questions, you can drop them in the comments section down below and the WTLS team will try to get back to you. Till next time. 

Best Netflix Alternatives in 2019

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There are numerous Netflix alternatives out there and we’re here today to find the best out of the bunch. I mean, Netflix is a great streaming service. It really is. But, what if you want something different? Something maybe a bit cheaper, free, or with a different selection of movies and shows? So, let’s check out some alternative options. 

1: Best Netflix Alternatives For a Subscription: Amazon, Hulu, And HBO

Netflix alternatives

Amazon, Hulu, and HBO are by far the most popular streaming services aside from Netflix. Obviously, most of us already know about them. But, still, we thought that mentioning them is good for starters who are just now getting into streaming. And if you haven’t heard about them, now is your chance to check them out!

First of all, there is Amazon Prime Video which offers a great collection of movies and TV shows like Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Game of Thrones (Along with an HBO sub) and many, many more. The great thing about it is that it goes hand to hand with Amazon Prime which means that you won’t have to pay for two separate services. 

Then there is Hulu which has a wide variety of shows to watch from – especially if you include the add-ons that you can use like HBO, Showtime, and more. The only downside of it is that their Android app doesn’t play well with certain devices and that can be an issue. Especially if you consider that more than 60% of people nowadays prefer browsing with their smartphones. 

Last, but not least, there is HBO. This is  the streaming the service that offers two of the most popular exclusive shows out there: 

  1. Game of Thrones
  2. Chernobyl

Exclusives are obviously not exactly a good thing for us, the consumers, but just saying. Prices are not going to be mentioned cause they can wildly differ from region to region. 

Best Free Netflix Alternatives: Showbox, Popcorn Time, And Kodi

Netlfix alternatives

Not everybody is able or willing to pay for a subscription. Thankfully, there are quite a few Netflix alternatives that are also completely free to use. 

Now, some of them are a bit shady and maybe even dangerous for your device’s health, viruses and such, while others, up to a certain point, are completely safe and legal to use. Let’s shart with Showbox. 

Showbox is completely free and allows you to watch almost every show and movie that’s out there. However, it has 2 series downsides: 

  1. Only available for Android
  2. No official source as of yet

The first downside is somewhat of a problem for PC users and for those who want to watch their shows on a bigger screen. Not really a huge deal. However, the second downside can even prove to be dangerous. After all, download the app from the wrong source and you may get infected with adware or something even worse. 

Popcorn Time is a bit more popular and is available for computers as well. While it has a rather big collection of shows and movies, it’s also considered illegal in numerous countries.

Piracy is commonly nothing to be afraid of. But, if you are living in the wrong country and at the wrong time, you’re risking getting fined or even going to jail. More on that later on. 

Last, but not least, Kodi. Kodi, by default, offers quite a number of legitimate and legal sources to watch numerous videos. Now, if you want to move on to more questionable add-ons, then that’s your call to make. 

Basically, Kodi allows you to use 3rd party sources and that, in turn, makes it practically possible to get all the shows and movies in the world for free. Just not legally. Again, Kodi, by default, is completely legitimate and legal. The 3rd party add-ons are the ones that are questionable. 

Consider Using a VPN

Some of the above-mentioned services, including Kodi and Showbox, are considered illegal in numerous countries. Well, to be more precise, Kodi isn’t considered illegal as it is, but that’s a topic for another day. 

Usually, pirating movies and shows isn’t something that will get you punished. However, some countries are known for being strict for such matters. Germany is one of the few that can fine you or even send you to prison for piracy. 

So, are you going to take the risk? Why not use a VPN? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It’s a kind of software which conceals your identity and also whatever it is that you’re doing on the Internet from any prying eyes. 

That includes your ISP and even the government. Obviously, if you’re going to do something that’s considered highly illegal, then no VPN provider is going to try and hide you from the government/police. 

However, for the rest of us normal folk who just want a bit of privacy and security, a VPN is a great solution. Most of them are extremely cheap while there are also a few free choices. We’d recommend against the latter, but, that’s a topic for another day. 

There are plenty of choices out there, but ExpressVPN is the one that we’re going to recommend. After all, it has a long-standing reputation for being fast, reliable, affordable, and secure. 

So, all things considered, do seriously think about installing a VPN. 

Get ExpressVPN From The Official Website

 

Honorable Mentions

All the services that we mentioned above are some of the most widely known Netflix alternatives, but there’s much more to it than that. Here are some other streaming services that deserve a bit of attention as well: 

  • HooqMubi
  • Fandor
  • Crackle
  • Hotstar
  • Filmstruck
  • Sling TV
  • Tubi TV
  • YouTube
  • Pluto TV
  • Showtime
  • Pureflix
  • Pocorn Flix
  • Viewster
  • Snag Films

Yes, YouTube is also included. While it’s clearly far from having the biggest collection of shows and movies, you can still find a few stuff there. For example, The Red Pill is only available on YouTube at the moment. 

That’s all for now. If you’ve got any other Netflix alternatives to recommend, then let us and everyone else know about them in the comments section down below!