You can change your smart TV region by using a reliable VPN. A VPN changes your online location to your desired region and bypasses geo-blocks without resetting your device and deleting your data. I found that ExpressVPN works best with smart TVs because it’s fast and gives you access to plenty of regions. Plus, it’s easy to set up with any smart TV because of its Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer. It even offers a solid 30-day money-back guarantee to test it risk-free. You can simply claim a refund if you decide it is not for you. Change Your Smart TV Region Today
Why You Need a VPN to Change Your Smart TV Region
To change your smart TV’s region and unblock international content, you need to mask your IP address with a VPN. A VPN works by making it look like you’re watching from another country, which allows you to access geo-blocked content on streaming services like Netflix. For example, connecting to a UK server makes it appear like you are using your smart TV in the UK. That way, you can unblock content that’s usually only available in the UK. But not all VPNs are capable of bypassing geo-blocks. The VPNs on my list have good speeds and large server networks that allow you to access streaming sites from other countries. Change Smart TV Region Today
Best VPNs to Change Your Smart TV Region in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Lightning-Fast Speeds for UHD Streaming on Your Smart TV
ExpressVPN offers the best speeds for streaming content. During my testing of ExpressVPN’s US and UK servers, the speed averaged above 5 Mbps against a base speed of 5.79 Mbps. On average, you can expect about 20% speed loss with the VPN on. Since my speed only dropped by around 7%, I was able to stream The Adam Project on Netflix US in HD despite my low base speed. Based on these results, ExpressVPN is ideal for Ultra HD streaming if you have a connection greater than 25 Mbps (the minimum requirement for UHD streaming). Furthermore, ExpressVPN has an extensive server network with 3,000 servers in 94 countries. This means you can access streaming services from across the globe. I was able to unblock Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. ExpressVPN has native apps for most smart TVs. In case the app is not compatible with your smart TV, it also has a Smart DNS feature for watching US and UK-based streaming apps called MediaStreamer. This feature is easy to set up on your router or directly on your TV (if it allows you to change network settings). When a VPN is installed on your router, all the devices on your WiFi network are covered by it. The only minor con I found with ExpressVPN is that it is a bit expensive, with the cheapest plan starting from $6.67/month. But that was not a problem for me as it was offering a generous discount and months of free service when I signed up. You can even save up to 49% with its current offer. ExpressVPN even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can claim a refund if you are not impressed with its service. I contacted support through its 24/7 live chat feature to test out the refund process and canceled my subscription after 24 days of usage. The representative approved my request without asking any questions, and the money was back in my account after 3 days. Try ExpressVPN Now
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Streaming on Smart TV
In addition to an extensive server network with 9,074 servers spanning over 90 countries, CyberGhost offers streaming-optimized ones. These servers can unblock specific streaming services such as Netflix on your smart TV. You can also add a server to the favorites section and save time instead of searching for it every time you want to watch. During my testing, I watched 4 episodes of Downton Abbey on Netflix UK using CyberGhost’s Netflix UK-optimized server. I only had to wait for 7 seconds during each episode’s initial loading for an otherwise lag-free stream. You get superfast speeds with CyberGhost. I got about 5 Mbps speed on the US and UK servers, which was a 13% drop in comparison to my base internet speed. This is particularly impressive as the US servers are more than 7,500 miles away from my location in Pakistan. I also found that the optimized servers provide slightly better streaming speeds than the regular ones. I could unblock and stream both Netflix US and UK buffer-free using these servers. If your smart TV is not compatible with the CyberGhost’s app, it also has a Smart DNS feature similar to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer. This feature changes your smart TV’s region by replacing your local DNS address with a new one, so you can stream international content. I was able to unblock Netflix and Hulu using this feature. The only issue with CyberGhost is that its short-term plan is pretty expensive and comes with a shorter money-back guarantee. However, I opted for the long-term plan as it offered the best value anyways. I was able to get CyberGhost for just $2.11/month. You can also get an extended 45-day money-back guarantee with the long-term plans. If you decide that CyberGhost is not for you, you can simply get a refund. To test this claim, I contacted its 24/7 live chat support and canceled my subscription. After a couple of questions, the support representative approved my request, and I got the money back in 4 days. Try CyberGhost Now
3. Private Internet Access — Lots of Servers to Access Smart TV Streaming Apps
Private Internet Access (PIA) has one of the largest server networks globally, allowing you to access content from different regions like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. This extensive server network also ensures no overcrowding on a particular server, so you can watch your favorite shows buffer-free. It also offers pretty good streaming speeds, even on long-distance servers. As I was testing PIA, I got 8.4 Mbps on a 10 Mbps connection, which is only a 16% drop on US servers. This is great, given that these servers are thousands of miles away from my location. The speeds were higher than the 5 Mbps required for HD streaming. I watched 5 episodes of The Witcher with only 10 seconds of initial loading time for each episode and did not face any buffering issues afterward. The only downside to using PIA is that it does not have the most user-friendly app and offers many customization options that might overwhelm users. However, the app comes pre-configured, so you don’t have to customize anything to make it work for streaming. PIA also comes with multiple subscription plans and all of them have the same features. I was able to get PIA for just $2.03/month. It is also backed with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide that this VPN is not for you. I canceled my subscription after 3 weeks through its 24/7 live chat feature. The representative processed my request, and I got my money back in just 4 days. Try PIA Now
4. IPVanish — Unlimited Simultaneous Connections for Streaming
IPVanish lets you connect to as many devices as you need at once. This means everyone in your household is covered and you can all watch your favorite shows at the same time. I expected that having a lot of devices streaming simultaneously would slow down my overall speeds, but it didn’t. You also get consistently high speeds with this VPN. As I was testing IPVanish, I consistently got speeds above 5 Mbps (the minimum for HD streaming) on its US servers against a base speed of just 6 Mbps. I watched 3 episodes of Mindhunter on Netflix US, with each episode taking about 14 seconds to load initially. The drop in speed was just a little above 17%. IPVanish also has a reliable global server network so you can stream content from anywhere. It is particularly impressive in unblocking Netflix US. I could unblock Netflix US on my smart TV quite fast and didn’t face any issues. The only minor con I found with IPVanish is that it was unreliable with some of the smaller streaming sites, especially from Australia and the UK. But it was able to unblock all the major ones, like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO. It offers several short and long-term subscription plans, but the latter provide better value. I was able to get IPVanish for just $2.49/month. IPVanish also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can get a refund by canceling your subscription after logging into your dashboard or contacting support. I used the first method and got my money back in 4 days. Try IPVanish Now
5. PrivateVPN — Simple App for Streaming Content on Smart TVs
PrivateVPN has a very user-friendly app with a simple interface, which is perfect if you’re a VPN beginner. There is a Simple View where you can search for and connect to a certain server. The Advanced View lets you change different settings. But you don’t have to configure anything because the default settings are good enough for streaming. The only minor con I found with PrivateVPN is its smaller server network compared to other VPNs on this list. However, that is not an issue as almost all the servers it offers are reliable and can unblock geo-blocked content on smart TVs. PrivateVPN offers multiple subscription plans, including some pretty good short-term plans. But I found the long-term plans to be the most economical. You can get PrivateVPN just for $2/month. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee. This way, you can try it out risk-free. If you decide it doesn’t meet your requirements, you can simply get a refund. I got my money back 6 days after my cancelation request was approved. Try PrivateVPN Now
How to Use a VPN to Access More Content on Your Smart TV
Just changing your smart TV region doesn’t always require a VPN but you need one in order to watch content from the apps of your new region. I recommend ExpressVPN due to its incredible speeds, great device compatibility, and unblocking capabilities. There are several ways to use a VPN with your smart TV, including:
Install a VPN Android app
You can access more content on your Android Smart TV using VPN apps. Almost all top-tier VPNs have native Android apps that you can download and install on your Android TV from the Google Play Store. After this, you only need to choose a server in your desired location and connect so you can use the streaming platforms from that region.
Use network connection sharing
You can share your VPN connection with your smart TV via your computer. You can do this by pairing your computer and smart TV using an ethernet cable or WiFi hotspot, allowing your TV to use the shared internet connection. After successful pairing, you only need to connect the computer’s VPN to any region and stream the desired content on your smart TV.
Use screen mirroring
Another way to stream international content on your smart TV is by mirroring your Android or Apple mobile on your smart TV. Just download the VPN app on your phone, select your preferred region, and mirror your mobile’s display on your smart TV. Note that f you’re using macOS or iOS, you will need a TV that is compatible with AirPlay 2.
Install a VPN on your router
If your smart TV is natively not compatible with VPNs, the easiest and most versatile way is to install a VPN on your router. When you install a VPN on your home router, all your devices using that router can use the VPN. However, not all routers can run VPN software. Make sure to check your router’s manual to see if yours is VPN-compatible (e.g., like DD-WRT, pfSense, or Tomato). You can also flash your router with VPN software yourself, but if you make a mistake, this method can permanently damage it.
Get a VPN router
If your smart TV is not an Android TV and your router is not VPN-compatible, you can get a VPN router. These are pre-configured routers that are designed to work with VPNs or already come with a VPN pre-installed. For example, you can get an ExpressVPN-configured VPN router from FlashRouters. Depending on your smart TV type, any of these methods can help you access content on your smart TV from your desired region. Once you have a VPN on, you can connect to a server in a country of your choice and easily change your location. As an alternative you can use your VPN’s Smart DNS option (if it offers one, like ExpressVPN"s MediaStreamer). This feature changes your location and it’s a great alternative to use instead of installing the VPN on a router. If your smart TV allows you to change its network settings, you can directly configure the Smart DNS on it. Note that all smart TVs and models are different, so there are many options on how to change your region and access international apps on them. To make sure which options fits yours best, I recommend referring to your TV manufacturer’s guidelines. Try ExpressVPN Today
How can I change the Smart Hub region on my Samsung smart TV?
You can change your Smart Hub region on your Samsung smart TV by following these steps: But bear in mind that changing your Smart Hub region resets your smart TV and deletes all your data. Therefore, you can only select 1 region at a time and cannot install apps from 2 different regions at the same time. So, if you plan on using apps from different regions, then my advice is to use a top-tier VPN. A VPN is an app that you can use to connect to a server in the desired location, which makes it appear as if you were there. That helps you unblock and use apps from other regions.
Can a VPN also change the region of my LG smart TV?
Yes, using a VPN is the best way to change the region of your LG smart TV if you want to stream content from different countries. However, these smart TVs do not support native Android apps, so you have to install the VPN on your router or use the Smart DNS feature of the VPN. Alternatively, you can also use the built-in Chromecast option to mirror your iPhone or Android on your LG TV and stream content from your desired region by using the VPN on your phone.
Will a free VPN to change my smart TV region?
Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it as these so-called free VPNs are usually unsafe and very limiting. They are not good at unblocking geo-restricted content and can slow down your speed due to overcrowded networks. Plus, they can compromise your online privacy by logging your data and selling it to advertisers. So to avoid this, my advice is to use a good-quality VPN that offers a solid money-back guarantee if you value your privacy. Try ExpressVPN Today
Change Your Smart TV Region Now
To access more content on your smart TV, you need to use a VPN. It gives you an alternate IP address of your required region so you can download and use apps on your smart TV without resetting it. A VPN will also not delete your user data every time you change your region through your smart TV settings. I found ExpressVPN to be the best among all the VPNs I tested. It has excellent speeds, comes with native apps for most smart TVs, and even offers an excellent Smart DNS service for those not compatible with the apps. You can also directly install it on your router. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it risk-free.
To summarize, the best VPNs to change your smart TV region are…
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