Published on: November 27, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Change Your Smart TV Region in 2024:
- Get a VPN that works well on smart TVs. I recommend ExpressVPN — it has apps for Android TV and Apple TV, a smart DNS tool, and a dedicated router app.
- Download and install the VPN app onto your smart TV. If your smart TV supports VPNs, simply find the VPN on the app store and install it.
- Install the VPN app via the smart DNS tool or on your router. If your smart TV doesn’t support VPNs, you can still change your smart TV region by setting up the VPN on your router or using the VPN’s smart DNS tool.
- Connect to a VPN server. Choose a server in the region you want to change your smart TV to, and you’re all set!
It can be pretty tricky to change the region on your smart TV. On some smart TVs, it may require a factory reset. Other smart TVs don’t allow region switching at all. Even if you do manage to change your region, sometimes this isn’t enough — the service you want to use may still be restricted because it’s using your IP address to detect your real geographic location.
The quickest and most reliable way to change your smart TV region is by using a VPN. When you connect to a VPN server, it assigns you an IP address belonging to the provider that matches the location of that VPN server. This makes it look like you’re accessing an app or the smart TV’s app store from a different region.
My #1 choice for changing your smart TV region is ExpressVPN — it provides blazing-fast speeds, works on any smart TV you can name, and is really easy to use. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
3 Ways to Change Your Smart TV Region Using a VPN
You can find a quick guide to installing a VPN on your smart TV and changing your smart TV region below.
If your smart TV is compatible with VPNs, I recommend following method 1. If your smart TV isn’t compatible with VPNs but has a smart DNS tool with servers in the region you want to change to, follow method 2. Otherwise, use method 3.
1. How to Install a VPN on Smart TV Using a Native App
- Subscribe to a VPN with a smart TV app. ExpressVPN has easy-to-use and feature-rich apps for Android TV and Apple TV.
- Download and install the VPN app. Simply search for the VPN in your smart TV’s app store, and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Connect to a VPN server. Launch the VPN app, enter your login credentials, and then select a VPN server in the region you want to change your smart TV to. That’s it! You’ve successfully changed your smart TV region.
2. How to Install a VPN on a Smart TV Using a Smart DNS Tool
- Subscribe to a VPN service that offers smart DNS. I recommend ExpressVPN — its smart DNS tool (MediaStreamer) is easy to set up and works with most popular smart TV models.
- Get the VPN’s smart DNS server addresses. You can usually find them in your VPN dashboard or account settings after logging in on the provider’s website. You’ll need both the primary and secondary smart DNS server addresses.
- Go to your smart TV’s network settings. Locate the DNS settings on your device, and replace them with the DNS server addresses you got earlier. Make sure you save the changes, then restart your smart TV. And that’s it! You’ve successfully changed your smart TV region.
3. How to Install a VPN on a Smart TV With a Router
- Choose a VPN that has good router support. Make sure that it’s compatible with your specific router model. ExpressVPN is a great pick because it’s compatible with most router models and is one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app, which makes it a lot easier to set up.
- For VPNs with a native router app: Simply download and install the app directly onto your router, following the instructions from your VPN provider.
- For VPNs without a native router app: Because the setup process may differ depending on the VPN provider and router model, I recommend checking your provider’s support page for a detailed, step-by-step tutorial.
- Start using your smart TV. That’s it! All of the devices connected to your router, including your smart TV, are now using the VPN, and your smart TV’s region will have changed to the country that you selected during the setup process.
Best VPNs for Changing Your Smart TV Region in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for changing your smart TV region in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for changing your smart TV region (good router app).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Good VPN for smart TVs with many smart DNS locations.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Easy to set up on routers + streaming-optimized servers.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Changing Your Smart TV Region
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for changing your smart TV region. It has apps for Android TV and Apple TV, a smart DNS tool (MediaStreamer) that works with popular streaming platforms in the US and the UK, and is the only VPN on this list with a dedicated router app, which works for major router brands, like Netgear, Asus, and Linksys. This makes it really easy to set up on your smart TV, whether or not it has native VPN support.
Another cool thing is the Device Groups feature on its router app. It allows you to organize your devices into different groups and have each group connect to a different VPN server. This gives you a lot more flexibility compared to most VPNs. You can, for example, change your smart TV region to another country while having the other devices in your home connect to a local server for faster speeds.
This provider is the best VPN for streaming in 2024 too. It works with 100+ different streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, as well as smaller services, like Sling TV, Fubo, and Crunchyroll.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $4.99 / month, and it backs all subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Offers Many Smart DNS Locations
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a versatile smart DNS tool for changing your smart TV region. Many VPNs only offer smart DNS locations in the US and the UK, but PIA offers 5 location options: the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Japan, and Germany. This gives you access to more apps and services.
It has apps for Android TV and Apple TV and can be set up on your router as well. However, unlike ExpressVPN, it doesn’t have a router app. This means you’ll have to perform a manual setup, which is a little more involved. Thankfully, PIA’s website features easy-to-follow guides for various router models.
This provider supports streaming on dedicated servers in 10+ countries, including the US, the UK, Japan, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Italy, and it works with 30+ popular streaming services. I still prefer ExpressVPN for streaming, though, because it supports streaming on all of its servers and works with 100+ streaming services.
Private Internet Access’s plans start at a very affordable $2.03 / month, and all of its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Beginner-Friendly + Streaming-Optimized Servers
CyberGhost VPN is a highly intuitive VPN, which makes it perfect for beginners looking to change their smart TV region. Its router setup tutorials are very detailed and have plenty of visual aids. I got the VPN up and running on my router in less than 15 minutes by following the guide and didn’t run into any issues. That said, it still takes longer to set up than ExpressVPN’s router app.
It also has a smart DNS tool with locations in the US and the UK. This isn’t as many locations as Private Internet Access, though, and CyberGhost’s smart DNS servers only work with Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Hulu. This VPN also stands out for its streaming-optimized servers in 20+ countries and works with 50+ streaming services.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at $2.03 / month, and it backs all purchases with a money-back guarantee (up to 45 days).
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our tried-and-tested testing methodology to find the best VPNs for changing your smart TV region. I looked for VPNs that work with most popular router models, include a smart DNS tool, and have easy-to-follow setup guides. I also made sure each provider had fast speeds and great streaming support. You can learn more about the criteria I used to rank and compare the VPNs on my list below:
- I picked VPNs that are easy to set up on a smart TV. This means that the VPN should have native apps for smart TVs, a smart DNS tool, or provide good tutorials for setting it up on smart TVs without native VPN support, such as LG Smart TVs. ExpressVPN offers all of the above and has a dedicated router app for an easy router setup.
- I made sure each VPN has good streaming support. Because popular streaming platforms often block known VPN IP addresses, I made sure that the VPNs I recommend refresh their IP address frequently and work with top streaming sites, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
- I evaluated each VPN’s speeds. Using any VPN will slow your connection speeds slightly, which could affect the stream quality on your smart TV. However, all of the VPNs on my list maintain fast enough speeds to watch HD content buffer-free.
- I looked for VPNs with a large server network. This gives you plenty of locations to choose from when changing your smart TV region and allows you to connect to a server that’s closer to you for the best possible speeds.
- I chose VPNs that provide good overall value. Every VPN I recommend has reasonably-priced plans, allows a minimum of 7 simultaneous connections (so everyone in your household can use the VPN at the same time), and comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to change the region on my smart TV?
The best way is by using a good VPN. Changing your smart TV region from the TV’s settings may require a factory reset, and some smart TVs don’t let you change your region at all. Additionally, changing your smart TV region often isn’t enough because many services (such as streaming apps) restrict you based on your IP address. A VPN gets around this by assigning you an IP address from the country that you connect to.
Do VPNs work on smart TVs?
It depends. Most VPNs have apps for Android TV and Apple TV, which means you can just go to the app store on your smart TV and install it directly. However, certain brands don’t have native VPN support, such as LG smart TVs. But you can still install a VPN on those smart TVs by using a smart DNS tool or setting the VPN up on your router.
Can I change my smart TV region using a free VPN?
Maybe, but it’s not recommended. Most free VPNs don’t work with streaming sites, don’t have smart DNS tools, and don’t support routers. Free VPNs may also have strict data caps, slow speeds, or weak security. There are plenty of affordable paid VPNs for smart TVs that you should consider instead.
What’s the best VPN for changing my smart TV region?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for changing your smart TV region. It has apps for Android TV and Apple TV, a good smart DNS tool with locations in the US and the UK, and is one of the only VPNs on the market with a dedicated router app (this makes it very easy to set up on routers). Additionally, it provides lightning-fast speeds for buffer-free streams and works with over 100 streaming platforms.
