How to Watch Channel 4 Outside the UK with Top VPNs

One of the easiest ways to watch Channel 4 abroad is to do it on your PC or Mac, as it doesn’t involve changing app store countries.

Channel 4’s mobile app is only available in the UK and ROI Apple App and Google Play stores.

To avoid having to potentially change app store country, which is a real pain, we recommend streaming Channel 4 via your mobile browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.).

Unlike other streaming services, Channel 4 doesn’t open its video links in its app and simply streams content within the browser.

If you have an Amazon account registered outside the UK, you won’t find the Channel 4 app in the Amazon Appstore. This is the case even if you switch to a UK IP address.

Instead, you’d have to either change your existing account’s region to the UK, or create a new UK account altogether on www.amazon.co.uk.

But since Channel 4 allows you to watch content in-browser, even on Fire TV, the process is a lot simpler. Simply, follow the instructions for mobile, using your Fire TV’s Silk Browser to stream Channel 4.

The only difference is that ExpressVPN has a nicer and smoother VPN app for Firestick than NordVPN.

Similarly to Fire TV Stick, you can only get the Channel 4 app on Apple TV if you have a UK Apple ID.

Sadly AirPlaying Channel 4 content no longer works, so the best solution is to once again stream in-browser.

If your device doesn’t support VPN applications, the easiest way to access Channel 4 is to use a Smart DNS proxy.

Smart DNS technology works by rerouting your DNS requests through a UK proxy server. While this also spoofs your location, Smart DNS is not the same as a VPN.

Unlike VPN software, Smart DNS won’t encrypt your connection and is therefore less secure. But it’s a useful way to stream geo-blocked content on devices like PlayStation and Xbox.

We tested all the Smart DNS proxies offered by VPN services and can tell you which work with Channel 4 and which don’t. Here’s the list:

• CyberGhost Smart DNS

• ExpressVPN MediaStreamer

• NordVPN SmartDNS

• PIA Smart DNS

• StrongVPN StrongDNS

• Surfshark Smart DNS

To set up Smart DNS, follow the instructions below. We used ExpressVPN on macOS as an example.

1. With an active ExpressVPN subscription, head to My Account on ExpressVPN’s website and sign in with your registered details.


Sign in to your ExpressVPN account via My Account.

2. Once logged in, go to DNS Settings on the left side menu.


Select DNS settings from the left side menu.

3. Under My IP address registration select Register my IP address and then toggle on Automatically register my IP address.


You need to register your IP address.

4. Head to the ExpressVPN setup page. On the right side you will see Configure MediaStreamer with two DNS server IP addresses.


ExpressVPN provides two unique DNS server IP addresses – redacted here.

5. The next stage will depend on what device you’re using. You can find instructions for different devices on the ExpressVPN website, but we’re using macOS as an example. On your macOS, go to System Preferences.


You can find System Preferences via the Apple logo in the top left corner.

6. Select Network > Advanced.


Select ‘Network’ from the listing of macOS system preferences.

7. On the navigation bar, click DNS. If there is an existing DNS server, make a note of it. Once this is done, remove it by selecting — in the bottom left.


Select DNS from the navigation bar.

8. Click + and paste the first DNS server IP address you saw under the Configure MediaStreamer section. Then do the same with the second DNS server and click OK.

You have now set up ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer on your macOS device.

You can find detailed instructions on how to setup Smart DNS on each VPN’s website:

• How to set up ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer.
• How to set up StrongVPN’s StrongDNS.
• How to set up Windscribe’s Control D.

If you’re based in the UK, Roku comes with British TV Channels, such as Channel 4, ITVX, and BBC iPlayer.

But if you’re not, the only way to use a VPN on Roku is to install it on your router. You can’t set up VPN apps or use Smart DNS on Roku.

Even here we recommend using ExpressVPN as it’s one of the few services with dedicated VPN software for routers.

Before you follow the steps below, make sure your router is compatible with ExpressVPN’s firmware, otherwise you risk “bricking” your existing device.

If the reason your VPN isn’t working is because Channel 4 has blocked one your VPN’s British IP addresses, then connecting to a different UK server may fix the problem.

Another reason your VPN may not be streaming Channel 4 content is because it’s leaking your true IP location. Run a VPN leak test to find out whether this is the issue or not.

If you previously accessed Channel 4, your web browser (or the Channel 4 app) will contain data from that prior visit. This can sometimes interfere with any subsequent attempt to unblock content.

Clearing all cookies and cache will remove any geolocation trackers. Remember to also disable geolocation services in your web browser.

If none of the solutions above worked for you, then the only thing left to do is to get a VPN that will definitely unblock Channel 4.

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN regularly refresh their pool of British IP addresses in order to keep bypassing the strictest of UK geo-restrictions. You won’t really go wrong by choosing either.

• Test Conducted: We repeatedly connected to each VPN’s UK servers to see how well they avoided detection from Channel 4.
• Why It’s Important: Channel 4 has aggressive geo-blocks that frequently blacklist common VPN IP addresses.
• Optimal Result: Every UK IP address provided immediate, buffer-free access to Channel 4 on every UK server tested.

• Test Conducted: We measured connection speeds across several global regions, analyzing both short-range and long-range connections into the UK.
• Why It’s Important: High-speed connections are essential for buffer-free, Full HD streaming on Channel 4.
• Optimal Result: A speed reduction of no more than 10% when connected to a UK server from a nearby country, and 20% from locations further afield.

• Test Conducted: We tallied each VPN’s UK server count and city locations, then used IP checkers to verify successful UK IP assignment.
• Why It’s Important: More servers reduce congestion and increase your chances of bypassing Channel 4’s aggressive VPN blocks.
• Optimal Result: A network of hundreds of servers spread across multiple UK cities.

• Test Conducted: We evaluated the VPN’s native apps and advanced features like Smart DNS and router compatibility.
• Why It’s Important: Extensive device support ensures you can stream Channel 4 on hardware that doesn’t natively support VPNs.
• Optimal Result: Native apps for Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV, plus a Smart DNS proxy and a dedicated router app.