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Although Netflix grew from a modest business plan of mailing DVDs to client’s homes, it has grown to become one of the world’s most recognized services.
The video streaming service holds many impressive benchmarks, such as being the iPhone app that generates the most revenue worldwide or being the largest media company worldwide.
Given all the impressive statistics, you would think Netflix has all your favourite shows and movies available all the time. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
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The Problem With Netflix
Netflix has an incredible array of movies and shows available; however, it doesn’t make everything available to its more than 250 million subscribers around the globe. Rather, Netflix filters its content to only allow various movies and series in some countries or geographic areas.
This happens typically due to broadcasting agreements with the studios that produced the movies and series.
While it’s understandable, there’s nothing more frustrating than searching for a movie or series, finding out it’s on Netflix, and then finding out it’s not available on Netflix in your country. Luckily, there are ways around this obnoxious trait of Netflix.
Navigating Netflix’s Country-Based Content
If you want to open your options and access all of Netflix’s content, you’ll need to change your region. The easiest way to change your region in Netflix is to trick it into thinking you’re in a different area than you physically are. This is done quickly and easily through a VPN—a virtual private network.
VPNs connect your computer to the internet through an encrypted access tunnel that hides your IP address thereby obscuring your physical location. The best VPNs will also provide some data security through this encryption tunnel as cybercriminals cannot spy on your activity as easily.
Many people ask about using a free VPN service to change their Netflix region, but unfortunately, it’s not likely to work. Free VPNs are less reliable as they have weaker security and may not reliably hide your IP address as you need.
Furthermore, free VPNs are known to sell your data—instead of protecting it—as they need to make money to stay afloat.
Can You Change Your Netflix Region Without a VPN?
Although using a VPN is the most efficient means to get around Netflix’s gates, many people may want to find another approach.
If you’re insistent on not using a VPN to change your region, your only other option is to use a DNS proxy. It’s important to note that this solution may not always work, and it’s more steps than a VPN.
DNS and DNS Proxy
To start, a DNS—domain name system—is a network composed of servers that receive your IP address and change it to a readable internet address and the other way around. For example, when you type Netflix.com into your browser, you’re searching for an IP address like 111.222.333.4.
When using a DNS, sometimes the query—searching for a URL—will go to a corporate server, like Netflix, whereas other times it’ll go to the internet service provider’s server. A DNS proxy serves a similar function as a VPN.
These proxies allow you to search for a URL securely as your query will go through a protected tunnel that protects your information.
Using a DNS Proxy to Change Your Netflix Region
First, you’ll need to find a DNS proxy service—Smart DNS Proxy is one of the most reliable proxy services available. Smart DNS Proxy claims to allow access regardless of your geographic location to Netflix, Hulu, HBO, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, and several other big-name video streaming services.
To use the service, first, you’ll need to make an account and sign in. From there, you can follow the steps provided on the website based on which kind of device you’re using.
Smart DNS Proxy offers support for Windows, Mac, Ubuntu, iOS, Android, several televisions, various game consoles, and products like Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Kindle Fire TV, and Google TV. Furthermore, the service extends its usage to entire networks by changing the settings on your router.
Basic DNS Proxy Instructions
Regardless of the DNS Proxy service you’re using, you’ll be able to follow these few basic instructions.
- Go to your DNS proxy provider’s website and find a DNS server address. Copy two addresses and paste them on a sticky note or notepad.
- Go to your device’s settings and find the network settings option.
- Go to the settings title “Advanced”, “Custom”, “Manual”, or something similar.
- Here, you may find another section titled “DNS” you’ll need to click on, or the DNS settings will already be listed here.
- Remove and DNS addresses already listed and paste in the two addresses you’ve previously copied.
- Save your changes and exit settings.
- Go back to your DNS proxy provider, find your account settings, and check to see if your IP address is listed or activated.
Now, your DNS should be changed, and your physical location is hidden. Before going back to Netflix, it’s best to restart your computer. Once your computer boots back up, you can go back to Netflix to see your new content!
The Bottom Line
Netflix has a bright future ahead. Every quarter, since the first quarter of 2013, the number of paid Netflix subscribers has increased. Although the company will be gaining more revenue, improving its platform, and offering more movies and series, there are likely to always be problems for the users.
It seems highly unlikely that Netflix—or the users— will ever be able to overcome the issue of having different content available depending on geographic location.
Thus, if you’re a Netflix user, you’ll need to know how to change your region, so you can access all the platform’s content. While using a VPN like NordVPN is your best option to do so, you can also change your region using a DNS proxy.
