Interested in watching American Netflix on your Playstation 4 while traveling abroad or living in a different country for an extended period of time? You’re not alone. American Netflix has a much bigger library of shows and movies than Netflix libraries in other countries. if you’re paying for Netflix, you deserve to enjoy all of this content.
But it can be difficult to determine how to get American Netflix on PS4. Old methods, like using SmartDNS services and manually changing the DNS on your PS4 no longer work, or work so inconsistently that they’re not even worth trying.
So, what are your options for watching American Netflix on PS4? In this guide, we’ll discuss the best option for you, and show you how to set up a VPN to watch American Netflix on your PS4. Let’s get started now.
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You Need a VPN to Watch American Netflix on PS4
In order to get around geo-restrictions and geoblocking on the PS4, you’ll need to have a subscription to a VPN, short for “Virtual Private Network”.
As the name suggests, a VPN creates a virtual network using servers located in different geographic locations. Your connection is encrypted and sent privately to these servers. Then, it’s sent to the website to which you’re connecting.
For example, if you’re in the UK and want to watch American Netflix on PS4, you’d connect to a VPN server in America. Then, the VPN would encrypt your traffic and send it to that server — then the server would send it to Netflix.
Because the connection is encrypted and originates from America, Netflix thinks that you’re actually connecting from an American computer and lets you access American Netflix on PS4.
VPNs have other benefits, too. You can use a VPN to get around ISP throttling in some countries and to protect your privacy from government agencies, from ISPs, and from any other third party who may be trying to snoop on your web browsing habits.
Our most recommended VPN is ExpressVPN. This service is ideal for watching American Netflix on PS4 because it’s safe, secure, and affordable. It also has a number of servers that always work with American Netflix — even though Netflix is now trying to block VPNs.
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How to Get American Netflix on PS4 – 3 Methods
It’s not exactly straightforward to use ExpressVPN on your PS4. There are no dedicated apps for VPNs on the PS4, so you have to use several workarounds to get a secured connection on your PS4 console, and connect to American Netflix.
Using ExpressVPN on Your Router
One of the easiest ways to get American Netflix on PS4 is by using ExpressVPN on your router. If you install ExpressVPN on your router, you can encrypt your entire wired and Wi-Fi network.
This means that every single device you use — from your computer to your smartphone and your PS4 — can be protected with your VPN. This is one of the easiest ways to get American Netflix on PS4.
However, not every router supports ExpressVPN.For a router-based VPN, you’ll need to use a compatible router such as:
- Asus RT-AC56(U/R/S)
- Asus RT-AC68U
- Asus RT-AC87U
- Linksys EA6200
- Linksys WRT1200AC
- Linksys WRT1900AC(S)
- Linksys WRT3200ACM
- Netgear R6300
- Netgear R7000
- Netgear Nighthawk R7000
If you don’t have one of these routers, you can try manual setup if you have a D-Link, Netduma, Sabai, TP-LINK or other Asus router, but this can be quite difficult to do properly.
Unless you already have a compatible router, it’s probably not worth shelling out the cash for a new one. We’d recommend moving on to one of our alternative methods.
Setting Up a Virtual Router with ExpressVPN
Another way to share your ExpressVPN connection is by using your computer to create a “virtual router”. In essence, you’ll set up your computer to take act as a wireless hotspot.
You can learn how to set up a virtual router with ExpressVPN here. However, doing so requires some technical skills and know-how.
If you already have a computer and a PS4, a better alternative to setting up a virtual router is using your computer as a “bridge” to share its connection.
Using Your Computer to Create a Bridged Connection
This is the method that we recommend if you don’t have a compatible ExpressVPN router, and don’t think you can set up a virtual router.
A “bridge” connection allows you to share your computer’s connected directly to your PS4, using an Ethernet cable.
This provides faster bandwidth speeds and allows you to run the ExpressVPN client on your computer while sharing it with your PS4 to get American Netflix. Here’s how to set up a bridged connection on both PC and macOS.
Option 1: Using a PC’s network connection
To do this, you’ll need:
- An ExpressVPN subscription
- An Ethernet cable
- A PC or laptop with WiFi and an Ethernet port (USB Ethernet adapter may be required)
- Your PlayStation 4 console
Step 1: Download and set up ExpressVPN
Before you get started, you will have to sign up for ExpressVPN. After you’ve signed up and activated your VPN service, you can head over to this page to download the Windows client for ExpressVPN.
Then, run the executable, enter the code you were given when you signed up for your account, and you’ll be good to go. You will see the following screen:
Next, connect to a VPN server of your choice. You can either connect to the closest server or use the server list to pick your preferred American server. Click “Choose Location” and pick any of the American servers offered. Press the “Power” button in the middle to turn on the VPN and secure your connection.
Step 2: Setting up network sharing
Now that the ExpressVPN client has been installed on your PC, you need to set it up so that you can share your connection with your PS4. First, plug your ethernet cable into the back of your PS4, and connect the other end to your PC.
Then, you need to find “Control Panel” on your PC. You can just type this into the search bar in Windows 10. Then, select “Network and Internet”, and then click “Network and Sharing Center”, which will be located in the left-hand menu. You should see the following screen:
Next, you need to click “Change Adapter Settings”. This option is located in the left-hand side of the menu, as seen in the below screenshot.
After you’ve done so, find the network connection with the name of your VPN. It will likely be called “Unidentified Network” ExpressVPN Tap Adapter, or something similar. The name may vary — just look for the network with “ExpressVPN” in the name.
Right-click this connection and select “Properties” to continue. You will see the following screen.
Click “Sharing” in the upper-left next to “Networking” to continue.
You will have to check the box marked “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.” By default, this box will be unchecked.
After this, select “Local Area Network” form the “Home Networking Connection” drop-down menu located below. This will enable you to share your connection over Ethernet.
Step 3: Testing the connection on your PlayStation 4 console
Now that you’ve set up your bridged connection, you should be good to go. Turn on your PlayStation 4, go to system settings, and make sure that you’re connecting via LAN and Ethernet.
Then, navigate to any app like Netflix to ensure that your connection is working. Congratulations — you’re all finished!
Option 2: Using a Mac’s network connection
Don’t have a PC? No problem! You can use a macOS computer like a MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro, or Mac Mini as a network bridge, as well. Here’s what you’ll need:
- An ExpressVPN subscription
- An Ethernet cable
- A macOS device with an ethernet port (USB Ethernet adapter will be required for newer MacBooks MacBook Pros, and MacBook Air laptops.)
- Your PlayStation 4 console
Step 1: Download and install the ExpressVPN Client
You will need to sign up for ExpressVPN and install the client before you get started. After you’ve signed up, you’ll be able to download the macOS version of the ExpressVPN client.
After you’ve downloaded the .dmg, mount it and copy the program into your Applications folder. Run the ExpressVPN program. You will see the following screen.
Next, press “Sign In”. You’ll have to copy your activation code from the ExpressVPN website and enter it here. After you complete setup, you will see this screen, just like the PC version.
Again, you can auto-connect to the best US server, or press “Choose Location” to choose a different US-based server. After you’ve picked a server, press the large “power button” in the center to establish your VPN connection.
Step 2: Setting up network sharing
Next, plug one end of your Ethernet cable into your PS4 console, and the other end into your macOS computer. You’ll need a USB-A or USB-C to Ethernet adapter for newer macOS laptops.
After this, you need to go to System Preferences. You can either click the Apple button in the upper-left and select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu, or just use CMD + Spacebar to bring up Spotlight Search, and type in “System Preferences”. Open the menu.
Next, you’ll need to open up the “Sharing “ menu, located at the right end of the third row of System Preferences. Click it, and you’ll see the following screen:
You need to tick the “Internet Sharing” checkbox to continue. Do so now. After this, you’ll be able to modify the other options on the menu.
From the drop-down menu, you need to select “Share your connection from: and choose “Wi-Fi”. Then, on the menu below it, choose “Apple USB Ethernet Adapter”. If you’re not using an Ethernet adapter, this may look slightly different.
After this, you have to click the checkbox next to “Internet Sharing” to turn it on. The radio button next to the Internet Sharing option will turn green, indicating that your connection is being shared. See the below screenshot for an example.
Step 3: Testing the connection on your Playstation 4
After Internet Sharing has been turned on, you will be able to share your encrypted VPN connection to your Playstation 4. Turn it on, make sure that you are using an Ethernet LAN connection, and then test your connection. Congratulations! You should be all set to watch American Netflix on PS4.
Why am I Still Blocked from Connecting to American Netflix with My VPN?
Unfortunately, content providers like Netflix have caught onto the fact that people from outside America are “spoofing” their locations with VPNs to watch American Netflix.
This means that, if too many people connect from a single server, Netflix will assume it’s a VPN, and block that IP address. This will result in a connection error.
If this happens to you when you try to watch American Netflix on PS4 with ExpressVPN, don’t worry. Try a few more American servers — if you have no luck, contact ExpressVPN support. They’ll be able to tell you which servers currently unblock Netflix. Customer service is available 24/7 through the on-site live chat, and will only require you to provide the email address you used to create an account.
Why Can’t I Just Change My DNS?
In the past, changing your DNS on Playstation 4 was one of the best ways to watch American Netflix on PS4. However, DNS programs don’t really work to unblock Netflix anymore — and the process of setting up a DNS on PS4 is extremely complicated.
It’s really easy for Netflix to recognize a DNS that’s been changed, as well. DNS services do not encrypt your connection, so Netflix can see your original IP address and country of origin. If it’s not in America, you’ll be blocked. It’s just that simple.
That’s why you have to use one of the above methods to get ExpressVPN running on your Playstation 4, and unblock American Netflix.
Will This Work for PlayStation 4 Pro?
Yes! All of the methods above will work even if you’re using a PlayStation 4 Pro. Because you’re simply extending network access to your console, and not altering your console’s settings, any device you have connected to your VPN-secured connection will be covered. This includes the PlayStation 4 Pro and any future consoles that PlayStation will release. It will also work with other consoles, such as Xbox One, Xbox One S, or the Nintendo Switch, among others.
Eric Liston is a content writer based in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2015, he’s been writing about technology, cord-cutting, and helping everyday people save money. He also has expertise writing about medicine, dentistry, insurance, and a variety of other industries. No matter what he’s writing, his focus is always on simplifying complex concepts and making them approachable for everyone. When he’s not slamming away on his keyboard at his home office, you’ll find Eric reading sci-fi novels, improving his disc golf game (he just hit his first 400-foot drive) and playing video games on his gaming PC.
