As with most international streaming services, Netflix region-locks content to comply with licensing agreements. As a result, the Netflix library changes around the world, and if you go on vacation, your favorite shows may not be available. Unless you use a VPN to bypass these geographic restrictions.
Each time you visit Netflix, the service checks your IP address. This allows it to determine where you are. As a result, Netflix automatically serves you the appropriate content library for that region. With a VPN, you can get an IP address abroad, which lets you access a different Netflix catalog, so long as your VPN has the capability to work with Netflix.
Unfortunately, only a few VPNs still work to access regional Netflix. This is because Netflix has invested in VPN detection and blocking technologies. Below, we tested HMA to see if it’s one of the few VPNs that work with Netflix.
Does Hide My Ass work with Netflix? In short
Hide My Ass will work with some regional versions of Netflix. However, our testing found NordVPN to be more reliable, faster, and able to securely access a wider range of Netflix catalogs. Read our full review of NordVPN here. Or continue for a more detailed account of HMA’s features.
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Why choose Hide My Ass?
Dec 2024
works with netflixTested Dec 2024
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.HideMyAss.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
HMA has an impressive network, with more than 1,100 servers in 200+ countries. Its speeds are more than fast enough for HD streaming, plus it offers unlimited bandwidth, so you shouldn’t notice any buffering or lag. With reliable connections and up to five simultaneous devices permitted per account, you’re free to watch wherever you like, on whichever device you prefer.
There’s a good range of security features, too, including 256-bit encryption, DNS and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops suddenly. You can choose to switch your IP address periodically, which makes you harder to track across the web. HMA doesn’t store any traffic logs, meaning you can browse anonymously at all times. Live chat is available daily from 9 AM–10:30 PM GMT+1 in case of any issues.
GOOD FOR STREAMING:Hide My Ass is a fast, highly-versatile service that gives you all the security tools needed to stream a few Netflix regions safely. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it risk-free. Just remember that it only provides access to a few Netflix regions when compared to the best VPNs for Netflix.
Check out our full HMA review for more info.
How to change Netflix region with HMA
Below, you’ll find a foolproof, step-by-step guide to changing your Netflix region. Follow these steps, and you’ll be streaming in no time.
How to watch Netflix from anywhere with Hide My Ass:
- Start by signing up for Hide My Ass if you haven’t already.
- Next, download the app. This service permits five connections at once, so it’s a good idea to install it on all of your most commonly-used devices.
- Connect to one of HMA’s servers in your home country. You’ll have to use a US server to access Netflix US, for instance.
- Take a look at Netflix and see if the content has changed. There’ll often be a heading on the main screen labeled “Trending today in [country]” that you can use to check. If not, clear your cookies and refresh the page to solve most issues.
Read more Netflix articles here:
Which Netflix libraries does Hide My Ass work with?
Hide My Ass has streaming-optimized servers in the US, the UK, and Germany. While it used to be able to securely access each of these countries’ Netflix libraries, it currently only works with Netflix US. The good news is that the British and German servers redirect to the US version of the site, so Americans traveling in Europe can simply choose whichever is closest to get the fastest possible connection. You should be able to access Netflix both in-app and via a web browser this way.
If you were hoping to access a different Netflix library, you might want to consider using NordVPN instead. This service reliably works with over a dozen Netflix catalogs, including Netflix UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Netflix via VPN: FAQs
Can I change my Netflix country with a free VPN?
No. Although some free VPNs do claim to work with Netflix, this is no longer true. Netflix works hard to block VPNs and in 2024 very few services still work. As it is easy to spot and block free VPNs, these are inevitably the first to go down.
Free VPNs are also too highly subscribed and immensely congested. This makes them too slow to stream in HD on Netflix. Partcularly, during peak times like evenings and weekends.
Free VPNs are also extremely risky. First, it can be hard to tell if you’re using a safe service since so many fail to provide basic security features like encryption. Additionally, app stores are flooded with malware masquerading as free VPN apps, so it’s possible that you actually end up less secure than when you started. To stay as safe as possible, we recommend using a reputable no-logs VPN when streaming Netflix.
Why aren’t some titles showing up on Netflix?
Netflix recently changed the way it deals with VPN users. Previously, you’d simply see an error (the dreaded “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy” message) asking you to disconnect before watching. Now, though, if the service realizes that you’re using a VPN, it’ll only show you the content that it’s permitted to broadcast worldwide.
There are a couple of things that might help you solve this problem. First, try clearing your cookies in case Netflix is using old location data. You could also try asking your VPN’s support team whether there’s a specific server you should be using. Finally, if nothing else has worked, you could try using a different VPN entirely.
Do VPNs slow down your internet speeds?
No matter which VPN you use, you’re going to lose a little speed. A good rule of thumb is to expect about a 30 percent reduction; this means that in line with Netflix’s recommendations, you’d need about a base speed of around 8Mbps to smoothly stream HD content or about 37Mbps to watch in 4K. Note that VPN speeds are impacted by all kinds of things including the time of day, how far away you are, and the protocol you’re using, so there is always some variation.
Is it legal to watch Netflix with a VPN?
First off, VPNs are legal in most countries worldwide, but it’s still worth checking their legality in your country beforehand. However, in most countries, it’s legal to watch Netflix with any VPN, Hide My Ass included.
It’s worth knowing that if you’re using a VPN to access Netflix from abroad, this does go against the platform’s Terms of Use which states, “You may access the Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account.”
However, Netflix doesn’t take action on accounts for the use of VPNs. Instead, it blocks VPN IP addresses. That’s why you may need to try different VPN servers and change your IP address multiple times to get it to work.
