So you may have gone abroad for a work trip or vacation, and you want to continue using some of your apps on your phone, but you find that they’re not working in the specific country that you’re in. These apps can be anything from a streaming service or other restricted apps in the country you’re visiting. These are called geolocation restrictions, meaning you can’t access certain content in specific regions for many reasons. This guide will explore how to access your local apps and services in different countries and bypass geolocation restrictions. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What Is Geoblocking?
Geoblocking happens when websites, services, and platforms block their content depending on the location. So, for example, let’s say you’re located in Germany, and you’re trying to gain access to Hulu. You will not be able to access it and will get an error message stating that this streaming service is unavailable in your location. This is because Hulu is only available to watch in the USA. The same applies when accessing local apps and services in foreign countries. Sometimes, they will not work because of geoblocks. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to bypass geo-blocks, and we will explore these in the following sections.
Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) checks your IP address to determine where you’re located. Your IP address on the Internet allows data to find your device among billions of other devices, helping to determine the approximate geographic location of the device as well. Your IP address will enable ISPs to determine your location, so if you’re trying to access a local app in a foreign country and it’s geo-restricted there, your ISP will block access to that app or website. You can hide your IP address using a VPN; we will discuss this later.
How Does Geo Blocking Work?
As we mentioned earlier, geoblocking relies on the user’s IP address. When you browse an app or a website, every piece of data you receive, from the website design to the content, is sent to your device. This would not be possible without knowing your device’s IP address. The IPs are given out by the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and registered with them. Most ISPs don’t have a global reach, and in the meantime, the databases that provide all kinds of IP-to-location data are available online. So, services that want geoblock content must compare your IP to their database and refuse to send you the requested data. In a nutshell:
- You go to a specific website.
- The website’s server will check your IP address against the IP database.
- Your IP is discovered coming from a location the website doesn’t want to service.
- The website doesn’t send you any data.
- Once your location has been detected, the website and service will compare it with the list of permitted and restricted regions. The content or service will be blocked if your location falls in the restricted area category.
- Geo-blocks can be done for legal reasons, to comply with local laws and regulations, and for pricing models, as the same services are charged differently in different countries.
How Can You Bypass Geolocation Restrictions And Access Local Apps?
The good news is that there are many ways that you can use to bypass geo-blocks and access your local apps and services, even if you’re travelling to foreign countries. Follow the methods mentioned below, and you’ll be ready. So, without wasting any further time, let’s jump right in!
1) Use A VPN
VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address, ensuring that ISPs, advertisers, malicious actors, and other third parties aren’t able to intercept or decipher your sensitive and confidential data. When you use a VPN, you are assigned a server from a different location, allowing you to bypass geolocation restrictions and gain unlimited access to censored content. VPNs also protect you from public networks, as malicious actors and hackers are the most vulnerable to interception.
2) Use Proxy Servers
If you want a quick and effective solution that is also free, it’s recommended that you opt for proxy servers. Proxy servers are popular because they are free and easy to use, allowing people from different technical backgrounds to use and navigate them easily. Proxy servers act as intermediaries between the user and the websites they’re trying to visit. When you type in the address in the proxy’s search bar, the proxy will change your IP address before you gain access to the website. You can visit the website with a different IP address, but it does not offer additional security benefits like VPNs. For example, they don’t encrypt your internet traffic and provide other security features like VPNs.
3) Use The Tor Browser
The Tor browser has been designed to allow users to remain anonymous online. It has many security benefits and is not solely used to access the dark web. TOR routes your traffic through multiple nodes in the TOR network, making your traffic undetectable by hackers, malicious actors, and other third parties. Although your ISP will be able to detect that you’re using TOR, they won’t be able to detect your online activities when you’re using the Tor browser, enhancing your privacy and security and allowing you to access websites from other countries.
4) Use Smart DNS
Another effective way to bypass geo-blocks is to use Smart DNS. This method can allow you to bypass geo-blocks, but it does not encrypt your internet traffic or offer additional security features. It doesn’t change your IP address but changes the DNS server on your device (local DNS) to a DNS server that’s based somewhere else. Smart DNS is free and easy to use. It is also compatible with multiple devices. The process of using Smart DNS will depend on the type of device you’re using and the VPN provider you’ve opted for.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A VPN To Bypass Geolocation Restrictions And Access Local Apps & Services
VPNs are the most effective way to bypass geolocation restrictions since they allow you to change your IP address and offer multiple security features, allowing you to remain anonymous online and protect sensitive and confidential data. When choosing a VPN provider, here are some of the factors you will need to consider:
- Opt for a VPN provider offering diverse security features, including a Kill Switch feature, Smart Mode, DNS leak protection, AES-256 encryption, and robust encryption protocols that include StealthVPN, Wireguard, and OpenVPN.
- The VPN provider should adhere to a strict No Logs policy, meaning it does not store your data when you use the VPN. Your data is deleted as soon as you log out of the VPN provider.
- It has an extensive range of servers because the more servers there are, the easier it becomes to bypass geolocation restrictions.
- It is compatible with multiple devices and operating systems, including iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- It has excellent customer support, with representatives available 24/7 to answer all your queries.
Conclusion
Using local apps and services in foreign countries can be challenging because of geolocation restrictions. Still, once you follow the tips and tricks in this guide, including investing in a VPN, you’ll say goodbye to geo-blocks for good.
