Unblock iPlayer outside the UK (watch abroad, in the US, anywhere)

Online streaming is on a dramatic rise all around the world. But it seems geo-blocking and media streaming go hand-in-hand.

People often connect to the internet to stream music, movies, live shows, TV Programs, etc. However, more and more streaming platforms deploy geo-blocking technologies to restrict access outside a particular region. It causes a lot of frustration for people as they cannot stream their favorite content.

BBC iPlayer is one such restrictive streaming platform. While it offers lots of streaming content from the BBC library, both new and old, it deploys geo-blocking technology and restricts viewers outside the UK.

But just because you’re not in the UK does not mean you shouldn’t have access to your favorite streaming platform. This guide explains how to unblock BBC iPlayer outside the UK with simple and effective methods.

Stream BBC iPlayer anywhere with a VPN – Quick guide

In a rush to start streaming your favorite iPlayer TV shows? Here is a quick guide for unblocking iPlayer and watching it in the US or anywhere in the world you want:

Why can’t I stream BBC iPlayer overseas?

BBC iPlayer is a content-rich platform offering a variety of exciting TV shows. It is a subscription-based service from BBC that aims to serve the UK’s people.

Like most other streaming services, BBC iPlayer also applies geo-restrictions to its content. Although numerous attempts were made earlier to expand iPlayer availability, none could succeed. Hence, today, iPlayer is available as a typical UK-exclusive streaming platform. Consequently, you can’t watch BBC iPlayer outside the United Kingdom boundaries.

While this is disappointing for binge-watchers, it is even more frustrating for the iPlayer subscribers who cannot watch their favorite programs only because they have moved outside the UK boundaries. However, with the right tools, you can easily change the IP country and watch iPlayer in America or any other country.

Can I unblock iPlayer abroad?

Since BBC pays for its UK TV rights, it restricts viewers from other locations from accessing the streaming platform.

But as a legit subscriber to the service, you may want to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK, which is understandable. Nonetheless, the only strategy the BBC recommends for users is downloading programs offline in the UK before moving abroad.

Of course, this isn’t a permanent solution to the problem since you’ll be missing out on all the latest episodes.

So, the good news is that you can still watch iPlayer by the BBC outside the UK the way you did back home using some workarounds. You have a couple of methods for this, including free proxy websites and SmartDNS services.

But the most reliable tool to break the robust geo-blocking technology of BBC iPlayer is a VPN. That’s because a VPN helps you mask your IP location with total security. Thus, you can easily unblock any blocked platform at your place by spoofing your online location to a country where that site is available.

Best VPNs to unblock BBC iPlayer outside the UK

Although, there is no shortage of VPN services online that protect your online privacy. But finding a solid VPN that can bypass the content filtering technology of the BBC iPlayer can be challenging.

That’s because BBC deploys a state-of-the-art technology for geo-blocking that even blocks proxies, unblockers, and most VPN services. Hence, you cannot randomly pick any VPN service to access BBC iPlayer in the US or anywhere else.

So how can I find such a VPN? We hear you ask. Don’t worry. You can go through this guide about the best UK VPNs to find the one that best meets your needs. Yet, if you want some quick recommendations, here are the three best VPNs that let you unblock BBC iPlayer anywhere.

1. NordVPN

With over 440 servers offering UK IPs, NordVPN is the best choice to unblock UK content anywhere, including BBC iPlayer. It’s stable and fast connectivity is another add-on for smooth streaming.

Visit NordVPN

5,300+ servers in 60 countries

Supports P2P sharing

AES-256-bit encryption

Zero-logs policy

Kill switch

Double VPN

Tor compatible

Customizable split tunneling

DNS/IPv6 leak protection

Allows up to 6 simultaneous devices

30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

• Blocks cookies, stops internet throttling
• Anti-DDoS attacks
• 24 hours a week customer support
• Extremely dedicated and attentive customer service
• Intuitive and friendly user interface
• Fast content streaming

Cons

• Desktop connections are slow sometimes

When you look for reputable VPNs, NordVPN comes up in a flash. Think about speed, dynamism, and multiple servers in the UK; NordVPN has them all and stands out from all other VPNs on the internet.

It has over 400 servers in the UK and many other servers worldwide (over 5000 in total). They keep on improving their services to outdo BBC iPlayer geo-blocking technologies.

Furthermore, the provider offers pro-active chat support, and its content unblocking technology is highly resilient and adaptable. All these features would enable you to access BBC iPlayer anywhere easily.

NordVPN has anti-DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) technology. A DDoS attack uses botnets to attack a device or a service and makes its resources unavailable. It overwhelms a service with colossal traffic to shut it down. NordVPN is one of the best VPNs offering an effective and reliable anti-DDoS system.

2. Surfshark

It has multiple servers offering 3 different UK locations. This choice of IPs empowers Surfshark to resist VPN detection and unblock iPlayer seamlessly.

Visit Surfshark

3,200+ servers in 65 countries

AES-256-bit encryption

P2P support

MultiHop mode

DNS leak protection

Automatic kill switch

Zero-logs policy

Split tunneling

Camouflage Mode

Unlimited simultaneous connections

30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

• Great connection speeds
• Blocks intrusive cookies
• 24/7 customer support
• Protects users from ads and malware

Cons

• Distant servers may be slow

BBC iPlayer deploys a notorious anti-VPN system to enforce the geo-blocking mechanism. However, using a random VPN may not provide a solution for you because iPlayer technology can detect some IPs related to a VPN and block them.

Surfshark is among the few reliable VPNs that bypass the BBC iPlayer geo-blocking mechanism.

It is an all-around VPN that is great for torrenting and anonymous browsing. It has good customer support, reliable service, and good connection speed.

The provider has multiple servers in the UK, which would allow you to unblock iPlayer abroad. Furthermore, Surfshark is one of the cheapest but most efficient premium VPNs you can find online.

3. ExpressVPN

This industry-veteran offers UK IP addresses from 4 UK cities. Thus, it not only unblocks BBC iPlayer, but also lets you stream other UK sites across the globe.

Visit ExpressVPN

3,000+ servers in 94 countries

AES-256-bit encryption

DNS/IPv6 leak protection

P2P servers

Network Lock feature

TrustedServer technology

Strict zero-logs policy

Split tunneling

Allows up to 5 devices simultaneously

30-day money back guarantee

Pros

• Blazing-fast connection speed
• No buffering
• Blocks intrusive cookies
• 24/7 customer support
• Disables ISP internet throttling

Cons

• Slightly costly than the market average

Look no further if you desire a VPN that offers reliability and speed. ExpressVPN has it all.

It has multiple servers in the UK, enabling you to connect to a range of iPlayer-compatible servers, giving you several choices.

With ExpressVPN, you can connect to a server in the UK when in the US or any other country. The provider supports UDP and TCP; it enforces a strict zero log policy and allows you to stream your favorite programs on BBC iPlayer without any buffering issues.

It’s not all that ExpressVPN offers. The VPN service has a friendly technical support team that can extend a helping hand 24/7. They help you fix issues and ensure a flawless user experience if anything goes wrong.

ExpressVPN would not only bypass BBC iPlayer geo-blocking technology, but it would also stop your ISP from throttling your internet. Furthermore, it ensures you remain anonymous on the internet and protects you from hackers, spyware, and cookies, which can intrude into your privacy.

Features to consider in a VPN for BBC iPlayer

There are many VPNs on the internet, but not all can bypass the geo-blocking technology of BBC iPlayer. In addition, some are slow and cannot evade geo-restrictions with the desired speeds, whereas others do not offer adequate security.

So, before spending your money, you must ensure that your chosen provider is strong enough to support iPlayer streaming.

Here are the essential features to look out for before selecting a BBC iPlayer VPN.

• UK servers: This is an essential feature to consider before opting for any provider. A VPN service that boasts UK servers would mask your location outside of the UK and make it seem you are physically located in the UK.
• Connection speed: A VPN must have an excellent connection speed to enable you to have a smooth streaming experience. You would want a high definition (HD) quality that would not buffer when streaming on BBC iPlayer. Some VPNs would significantly slow down your connection, while others would speed it up.
• Anonymous browsing: The BBC iPlayer geo-blocking technology can detect some IPs related to a VPN and block them. Your VPN should be able to keep you anonymous so that you don’t get noticed and blocked. It should also provide top-notch security against hackers, cookies, spyware, etc.
• Customer support: BBC iPlayer technology blocks VPN connection as soon as it detects one. Therefore you need a service that is available 24/7 to provide customer support and assign an undetected IP to you should a need arises.

VPNs you should not use with BBC iPlayer

Now that you know the best VPNs to unblock iPlayer anywhere, you may wonder if there are any services that you should avoid. So here we list some of those VPNs that you should steer clear of when accessing iPlayer. It’s not that all of the following are bad. Instead, they aren’t robust enough to bypass the harsh BBC iPlayer restrictions. But, at the same time, some others are not good for online privacy at all.

• Betternet
• SuperVPN
• EarthVPN
• OverPlay
• Perfect Privacy
• Hide.Me
• HMA VPN
• Proxy.sh

Unblock BBC iPlayer overseas: a step-by-step guide

Until now, you must have decided which VPN service you should subscribe to, haven’t you?

So, without further ado, here is how to start streaming BBC iPlayer outside the UK with a VPN.

• Create an account with your chosen VPN provider.
• Download the respective VPN app on your device where you wish to stream iPlayer.
• Open the app and sign in to your account.
• Connect to a fast-speed UK server. Your VPN provider may also offer dedicated streaming servers. If you can connect to such a server optimized for streaming iPlayer, that’ll be great.
• Come out of the VPN app without disconnecting.
• Using your web browser, visit this IP checker tool to ensure your UK IP address is working fine.
• Head to the BBC iPlayer website, sign in to your account, and start streaming your favorite show.

How to download the BBC iPlayer app outside the UK?

After subscribing to a robust VPN, the next step is downloading the respective VPN client on your mobile device. Once done, you can then proceed to download BBC iPlayer app. Here’s how to do it.

On iOS:

• Sign out of your iCloud account.
• Click on your user name in the setting window located at the top of the screen.
• Scroll down (till the bottom of the page) and click on Sign out.
• Open your VPN application and connect to a server in the UK.
• Create a new iCloud account and select the UK as your location. (Please note that you cannot access data that sits in your old account after creating a new one.)
• Go to the Apple Store.
• Search and download the BBC iPlayer app.
• Sign up for your preferred subscription plan while accepting iPlayer’s terms of service. Sign in if you already have an iPlayer account.
• Start streaming.

On Android:

• Download and install a VPN.
• Start the VPN application and connect to a UK server.
• Change your Google Play region to the UK from the “Settings” tab. (You can go through this detailed guide on changing Google Play country if you want to learn the procedure.)
• Click on “Apps” (available in the “Settings” tab).
• Look for “Google Play Store” and tap on it.
• Click on the “Force stop” button.
• Next, you need to clear all the Google Play Store data. Find the “Storage” option on the same screen and click on “Clear Storage.”
• Open the Play Store and search for the BBC iPlayer application.
• Sign-up for a subscription plan or sign in, and start streaming iPlayer on your Android device.

How can I watch UK TV abroad?

You can unblock any UK TV abroad with a reputable VPN, just like BBC iPlayer.

Not only does it help you bypass geo-restrictions, but a VPN can also serve many other purposes; masking your location is one of the primary ones. With a VPN connection, you can spoof your online location and browse the internet like you are in a different area.

It becomes possible because VPN providers have servers in various parts of the world. Connecting to any of these servers would assign an IP address to you different from your location. So, once you connect to the internet via a UK server, you get a UK IP address. Hence, you can watch BBC iPlayer and other UK TV abroad.

Does your VPN fail to unblock BBC iPlayer? Here’s how to fix it!

Most VPNs recommended above are capable of unblocking iPlayer anytime, anywhere. However, you may sometimes find it failing to access the streaming platform on one or all of your devices. Such failures indicate that iPlayer technology has somehow detected your VPN use and has blocked your app. So now, you need to fix the glitch and regain online anonymity to access the platform.

But how would you do that? Here’s a quick review of the most common iPlayer streaming issues and the corresponding troubleshooting tips.

• Try a different server. Often, one of the VPN servers may disconnect in the middle, eventually leaking your IP address. Or, the VPN provider may have to take down a server following detection. Switching to a different server from the same location can quickly fix the problem.
• Clear device cookies and cache. They are the biggest spies on your device (computer or a mobile phone), exposing your actual IP address and location. Clearing cookies and cached data let you re-access iPlayer quickly with a VPN.
• Flush DNS cache. Like browser cookies and cached data, DNS cache may also be a reason for blocked iPlayer access. However, it isn’t difficult to fix either. For Windows users, open the command prompt, type “ipconfig/flushdns” (in the space with the blinking cursor in front of your username), and press the Enter button. Whereas Mac users can visit this Apple support article to find the relevant instructions for their OSX version.
• Install VPN on your router. If none of the above fixes work for you, you might have to secure your entire home network with a VPN to prevent any IP leaks. For this, consider setting up the VPN on your router. Once done, you could then stream BBC iPlayer unrestricted on any device.

Best shows to watch on BBC iPlayer

If you aren’t familiar with the UK library of iPlayer, here are a few exciting TV shows you should consider watching.

• Killing Eve
• Doctor Who
• His Dark Materials
• Bloodlands
• Planet Earth
• Normal People
• Peaky Blinders
• Our Girl
• A Suitable Boy
• Zapped
• Heroes

Wrapping up

BBC iPlayer offers a lot of exciting and in-demand streaming content. It is subscription-based and is not available for people outside of the UK. It deploys a notoriously strong geo-blocking and anti-VPN technology, which most VPNs fail to bypass.

Many VPN services are on the internet, but most are already blocked by BBC iPlayer geo-blocking technology. iPlayer’s content blocking system keeps on upgrading and continuing to crack down on using a VPN. Unfortunately, that means merely getting a UK IP address from any provider in the wild won’t let you unblock your favorite iPlayer content.

However, reputable providers such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark can let you unblock iPlayer by evading its content restriction technology and help you stream content from outside the UK.

Watching iPlayer in the US or anywhere worldwide is no rocket science. Use one of the VPNs mentioned above to change your location to the UK and subscribe to BBC iPlayer to start streaming.

FAQs