This is the point where it becomes obvious how a VPN client makes life easier. There are really only two steps to follow. The first is to select the server. On an iPhone using ExpressVPN, a message appears to Current location. I selected that and chose United States and then Chicago. Then I clicked the big red Connect button and saw it turn green. That means you were connected to the Chicago server and ready to watch a Netflix show. All VPN apps work in roughly the same way: select the country and city, then click the big connect button.
In my case, once connected to that Chicago server, I could go to Netflix.com to watch stranger things without any problem. It also works with Netflix apps on your smartphone or tablet, as long as your VPN app is also running on that device.
In case you were wondering, this is perfectly legal. As long as you use your own paid account, a VPN simply allows you to access a streaming service from remote locations.
Troubleshooting
A VPN client is not always perfect. There may be times when you select a server in another country and still can’t connect or can’t watch a Netflix show.
I once felt a slight panic when I wanted to watch the finale of the fourth season of stranger things. No spoilers here, but let’s just say I knew there would be an epic battle. I used ExpressVPN while on vacation in that small town in Austria, and while everything usually worked fine, one Sunday afternoon the server I wanted to use in Chicago just wasn’t cooperating. I chatted with online support, which was available directly in the iOS app on my iPhone, and the tech rep suggested using a server in New York City. That solved my problem.
What happens sometimes is that the server may be overloaded with too many connections or may be down for maintenance, but selecting a different server solves that problem. You can even do a quick Google search like “which VPN server works best in the US for Netflix” and check Reddit forums and other sites for help. Apparently, a lot of people know that you can connect to a VPN when you travel, and they might even get hooked on the same shows. Additionally, Netflix can detect when there are too many people using the service through a VPN server. In that case, you will find that you have to select a different one (for example, Netflix has blocked the server).
Also, a few caveats: I used the full, ad-free 4K version of Netflix. The ad-supported version may not work properly over a VPN when traveling abroad. The VPN solution may also not work if you try to stream a live event on Netflix. There may also be restrictions on which VPN clients you can use in countries like Russia and China.
Netflix is also more likely to block VPN access when you use the mobile app. If you are using your phone or tablet, it is best to use Netflix.com in your browser and make sure your browser is set to “desktop” mode. With desktop mode enabled, Netflix will not detect that you are on a mobile device and will redirect you to the mobile app.
The good news is that a VPN app tends to run smoothly most of the time. I finally saw that final epic battle in stranger thingsand I also kept up to date with BBC reports using the BBC One website. I never missed a show and, truth be told, that final battle was incredible.
