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How to Change Your Netflix Region

Updated Aug 19, 2026

Simon Migliano

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of apps and his research has been featured on the BBC, The New York Times, and more. Read full bio

Fact-checked by JP Jones

The Short Answer

The simplest and most effective way to change your Netflix region is to use a virtual private network (VPN) and connect to a server location in your desired country. If you want to unblock a foreign content library without a VPN, a Smart DNS proxy is your next best solution.

How to change your Netflix region with or without a VPN.

Netflix displays different content based on the country you’re in. It uses your IP address to determine your geolocation and which titles to show you.

Since some countries have richer content libraries than others, learning how to change your Netflix region allows you to get the most out of your subscription.

The easiest, and most popular, way to change your region is to use a reliable Netflix VPN that’ll unlock dozens of foreign catalogs.

To change your Netflix region without a VPN, particularly on Smart TVs and game consoles, I recommend using a Smart DNS proxy.

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How to Change Netflix Region with a VPN

Using a virtual private network (VPN) is the easiest and most reliable method to change your Netflix region and access geo-restricted titles unavailable in your home country.

A VPN app changes your IP address location to one from almost any country of your choice, depending on which service you use.

The number of Netflix libraries each VPN can unblock varies; the best ones reach up to 32 regions.

Unblocking US Netflix with Windscribe Pro on our MacBook.

Windscribe Pro unblocks more Netflix regions than any other VPN.

This video explains how to change Netflix region using a VPN:

Or, you can follow these step-by-step instructions:

How to Change Netflix Region Using a VPN

Follow the steps below to change region on Netflix in a matter of minutes:

Install your chosen VPN on your device(s). I recommend ExpressVPN, which streams 18 regions in 4K and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Connect to a VPN server in the country you want to watch content in. For example, connect to a Japanese VPN server to unblock Netflix Japan.
Open Netflix. Verify you’re in your desired Netflix region by selecting New & Popular at the top of the screen. The country should match your VPN location. If no country is listed, your VPN isn’t working with Netflix.
Start streaming. You can now watch all the geo-blocked videos available in that country’s library.
To change Netflix country again, repeat step (2). Then, refresh your browser window or restart your Netflix app to see the new content library.

EXPERT ADVICE

If Netflix keeps showing your home catalog, the fix is usually quick. Netflix blocks known VPN IP addresses, returning a proxy error such as M7111-5059, so switching to a different VPN server in the same country almost always sorts it out. If it doesn’t, clear your browser cookies or fully restart the Netflix app to wipe the cache.

I’ve also found that unblocking Netflix is trickier on the cheapest ad-supported plans, and during some live events; a standard subscription tier gives you the most consistent results.

For device-specific instructions, head over to our How to Watch Netflix with a VPN guide.

Pros & Cons of Using a VPN

These are the main benefits and drawbacks of using a VPN to change country on Netflix:

Pros and cons of using a VPN to change your Netflix region.
Pros	Cons
Access to up to 32 Netflix regions	Advanced steps to work on Smart TVs, game consoles & Roku
More reliable than any other method	The best apps require a subscription
Streams at maximum resolution
Simple to set up & use
Free (limited) options available
Encrypts network traffic

Can I Use a Free VPN to Change Netflix Region?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to unblock geo-restricted Netflix content, although most free secure VPNs don’t work.

Of the ones that do, PrivadoVPN and Windscribe are the best, unblocking multiple Netflix libraries.

Windscribe’s free service currently works with the following 5 Netflix regions: France, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

On the other hand, PrivadoVPN unblocks the very popular UK and American catalogs.

We’ve never had an issue accessing US Netflix with PrivadoVPN.

Having said that, their performance was still worse than paid services, though, and they both lack a Smart DNS proxy.

How to Change Netflix Region without a VPN

If you don’t want to use a VPN, there are two other ways to change your Netflix region: using a Smart DNS proxy or a proxy server.

Other methods I tested, such as remote desktop software, the Tor browser, or setting up a home VPN server are either too time-consuming or not effective enough.

How to Change Netflix Region with Smart DNS

The best way to change Netflix region without a VPN is to use a Smart DNS proxy. It works with Netflix on most devices and at maximum resolution.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to use Smart DNS with Netflix:

Sign up for a Smart DNS service or a VPN service that comes with Smart DNS. I recommend ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer (for UK and US content) or Control D.
Register your IP address by following the instructions on the provider’s website.
Get the appropriate DNS server addresses. You can usually find these in your provider’s online account.
Open the Network Settings on your device.
Find the DNS Settings. They are usually under an ‘Advanced’ or ‘Manual’ tab.
Input the DNS server addresses your provider has given you. Click confirm.
Restart your device. The Smart DNS service will activate once you reconnect to the internet.

You can also see how to do this in the video below:

How to use MediaStreamer to change Netflix region.

Smart DNS lets you change your device’s DNS settings to reroute your connection through DNS servers in a country of your choice.

By combining a DNS server with a proxy server, you can use Smart DNS to bypass geo-restrictions on content.

Like a VPN, Smart DNS tricks platforms like Netflix into thinking you’re physically located in that country, opening up that region’s content.

For example, if you live in South Korea and want to watch US Netflix, you can reroute your DNS requests through a US server and easily stream US-only content titles from abroad.

Two popular standalone Smart DNS services optimized for streaming are Control D and Unlocator. A handful of VPNs for streaming also offer their own Smart DNS tools, like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost.

Because Smart DNS doesn’t require any software, it works easily on devices such as non-Android Smart TVs (without access to the Google Play Store) and game consoles, which don’t support native VPN apps. On these devices, Smart DNS can actually be better than a VPN for changing your Netflix region.

Keep in mind that Smart DNS proxies don’t encrypt your internet traffic or hide your IP address. Your ISP will therefore see what you’re doing online, and you won’t be protected on unsecured public WiFi networks.

The flip side is speed: because there’s no encryption to slow things down, Smart DNS avoids the fluctuations in connection speed a VPN can sometimes suffer.

How to Change Netflix Region with a Proxy Server

A proxy server is a different type of proxy from Smart DNS, and it comes in two forms:

Web Proxy: A proxy accessed via a website and usually free to use. You enter the URL you want to unblock, choose your desired server location, and start browsing. They’re extremely unreliable, though, and rarely work with Netflix since their IP addresses are widely used and often blacklisted.
Proxy Browser Extensions: Higher-quality proxy servers tend to be available as web browser extensions. Some are free to use, but many charge a subscription fee.
Here’s how to use a proxy browser extension to change Netflix region:
1. Install the proxy extension: Search for the extension in your browser’s add-on store and add it to your browser.
2. Create an account if necessary.
3. Connect to a server in the Netflix location you want to access.
4. Log into Netflix in the same browser. You should now have access to your chosen foreign library.
Unlike Smart DNS, a proxy server does hide your IP address, but like Smart DNS it leaves your internet traffic unencrypted.

How a proxy server works.

Many VPN extensions on Chrome are actually proxy servers, and not full VPNs. They route browser traffic through a remote server, but don’t encrypt it.

Proxy extensions that work with Netflix are typically provided by VPN services such as CyberGhost, NordVPN, Surfshark, and Windscribe.

CyberGhost’s free browser extension works with US Netflix.

Unlike VPNs, proxy servers are application-specific and can only redirect your traffic from the application they’re running on e.g. your web browser. In other words, you won’t be able to use a proxy server with your Netflix mobile app.

And since they don’t encrypt your internet traffic, proxy servers are less secure than VPNs.

EXPERT ADVICE: A “transparent” or “anonymous” proxy server won’t help you change Netflix region. An anonymous proxy hides your IP address but also tells Netflix you’re using a proxy, while a transparent proxy doesn’t even hide your IP address. Only “elite” proxy servers can unblock Netflix.

Which Method to Use on Which Device

Regardless of your device, the best way to change your Netflix region is to use either a VPN or a Smart DNS proxy.

However, the best option depends on the device(s) you’ll be using.

A VPN is the best way to change Netflix regions on devices that support native VPN apps such as computers and smartphones.

With just one app, you can switch between VPN locations and gain access to dozens of different Netflix libraries.

Smart DNS works better on devices without native VPN support, such as game consoles and non-Android Smart TVs.

Some devices, like Roku, don’t support native VPN apps and don’t let you modify your DNS settings. In this scenario, you can set up a VPN on your router.

The table below lists my suggested method by device. For detailed installation instructions, read my VPN setup guides.

Table outlining the best tool by device.
Device	Tool
Fire TV Stick	VPN Service
Android	VPN Service
Apple TV	VPN Service
Chromecast with Google TV	VPN Service
Google Chromecast (Older Version)	VPN Router
iOS/iPadOS	VPN Service
macOS	VPN Service
PlayStation	Smart DNS
Roku	VPN Router
Smart TV (non-Android)	Smart DNS
Xbox	Smart DNS
Windows	VPN Service

How to Change Your Netflix Billing Country

There is currently no way to change the payment region of an existing Netflix account.

To change the billing country on your Netflix account, you must close your current account and create a new one associated with your new country.

Here’s how to change your Netflix billing country:

Go to Netflix.com in your browser.
Click the drop-down menu in the top right and select account.
Under Membership and Billing, click Cancel Membership.
Netflix will tell you the final date of your billing cycle i.e. the last date you’ll have access to the service.
Click Finish Cancellation and give feedback on why you’re canceling, if you wish.
At the end of the billing cycle, change your Netflix region using the methods listed above and create a new Netflix account. The billing currency, monthly price, and payment options will be determined by the country Netflix thinks you’re located in at the time of creation.

You don’t need to change your billing country to stream movies and TV shows unavailable in your region. Use a VPN service or a Smart DNS proxy instead.

FAQs

Which Netflix Region Has the Most Content?

The US Netflix library is consistently the largest by total number of titles, followed by Canada, the UK, Australia, and Japan.

Japan stands out for its anime catalog, while Canada and the UK offer significant overlap with US content in addition to exclusive local productions.

Why Does Netflix Serve Different Content in Different Countries?

Netflix licenses films and TV shows on a country-by-country basis, and rights holders often sell exclusive streaming deals to competing platforms in specific markets.

Local content quotas, censorship laws, and regional pricing can also affect library composition.

Do I Need to Change Billing Country to Watch Foreign Content?

No, by using a VPN or Smart DNS you can use your existing Netflix account to access another country’s content library.

Like Disney+ and HBO Max, the content you have access to is tied to your online location rather than your billing country.

Will Changing Region Affect My Subtitles or Audio?

Sometimes switching regions can reset the subtitle and audio options Netflix offers, since they depend on the content library you’re accessing.

To keep your preferred language settings, set them under Profile & Parental Controls in your account preferences before switching regions. They’ll usually stay the same across most titles.

Is It Better to Use a VPN or Smart DNS to Change Region?

It depends on your device. A VPN is more reliable, unblocks more regions, and encrypts your traffic. A VPN is ideal on devices that support VPN software such as computers, smartphones, and tablets.

Smart DNS is suitable for devices that don’t support VPN apps, like some Smart TVs and game consoles. However, it offers no privacy protection and unblocks fewer libraries.