Amazon Prime Video is a great addition to the benefits offered by Amazon Prime, and a worthy competitor to Netflix.
However, it’s not available everywhere in the world, and the number of TV shows and films available varies, depending on where you are. If you’re wondering how to unblock the American version of Amazon Prime Video anywhere in the world, this guide will help you do just that!
If you want to watch Amazon Prime Video from outside the United States, you’ll need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. Our team’s favorite VPN to use for watching Amazon Prime Video when we travel abroad is ExpressVPN.
That’s because ExpressVPN has the most international entry points, the lowest price, and the best device support compared to similar options we’ve tried.
The process for using a VPN is very similar in most countries, so you’ll be able to watch in Amazon Prime Video in places like the UK, Canada, and Australia — or anywhere else you can imagine. Continue on to find out everything you need to know about how to watch Amazon Prime Video abroad.
Watching Amazon Prime Video abroad, step by step
- Subscribe to a premium Virtual Private Network (VPN), such as our top choice: ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app or client on your device.
- Connect to the VPN from target region — the United States.
- Sign in to Amazon Prime Video.
- Start streaming!
Our top pick: Watch Amazon Prime Video with ExpressVPN
There are plenty of different VPN services that you can choose from if you want to unblock Amazon Prime Video.
ExpressVPN is our top choice for watching the American version of Amazon Prime Video abroad. With advanced security and privacy features, tons of servers in the US and other countries, and a simple UI, it’s a fantastic choice for VPN beginners and experienced VPN users alike.
One of the biggest advantages of ExpressVPN is that is has servers in 90+ countries, including plenty of servers in America and Canada. This ensures that you’ll always be able to stream Amazon Prime Video, no matter where you are.
ExpressVPN is also very easy to set up and use. If you already have an Amazon Prime account, you can start watching your favorite shows and movies in no time at all.
Watch Amazon Prime Video with VPN Chrome Extensions
If you use Google Chrome as a web browser or use a Chromebook, you can also access Amazon Prime Video by using VPN Chrome extensions. Chrome offers the following services as extensions:
- ExpressVPN
- StrongVPN
- NordVPN
- SaferVPN
- CyberGhost
Why use a VPN browser extension?
Adding a VPN to your Chrome browser as an extension offers some unique benefits.
A Chrome browser extension means you can use the VPN without having to install the app. It also means that if you’re using a Chromebook, you’ll still have access to a quality VPN. Most VPNs do not include freestanding apps for Chrome OS, making a Chrome browser plugin a good workaround. Additionally, a Chrome extension for your VPN allows you to use the VPN faster, with much less of a headache.
There are some downsides to a Chrome extension, however. Chrome extension VPNs are only designed to connect or disconnect from the VPN. As a result, you’ll have fewer options, limiting how much you can do with the extension. Still, a Chrome extension for your VPN provides a more streamlined use of your VPN without the hassle.
Watch Amazon Prime Video on gaming consoles with a VPN
Using a VPN, you can access American Amazon Prime Video on gaming consoles like Playstation and Xbox. There are 2 ways to go about this:
- Using a router-based VPN
- Using a Mac or PC’s network connection
Using a router-based VPN
Using a router-based VPN is usually the best way to get a VPN service on gaming consoles and other such devices. A router-based VPN is different from a VPN that is only installed on one of your devices.
This is because, when you use a VPN on a router, you encrypt all of the web traffic that goes through your router. That means that every wired and wireless connection in your home is secure, and will be protected from ISP snooping.
Not all routers are VPN-compatible, though. ExpressVPN offers a number of different routers that are compatible with its VPN service. If you are thinking about getting a new router, this is the easiest way to set up a router-based VPN. You can even purchase a pre-configured router to ensure that all you have to do is log into your ExpressVPN account to get started.
If you already have a router that you want to use, you can set it up manually. However, the process can be quite difficult if you’re not technically-savvy. Don’t worry, though. If you run into any issues, you can contact the VPN service to get help.
Using a Mac or PC’s network connection
For this method, you’ll need the following things:
- An ExpressVPN subscription
- An ethernet cable
- A USB-ethernet adapter (for newer computers)
- A PC or laptop
- Your gaming console
You’ll need to log into the VPN app of your choice on your computer and connect to a server. Then you’ll plug in the ethernet cable to your computer and console. From here, the process differs depending on whether you have a PC or Mac.
PCs
- Navigate to “Network and Internet”, then “Network and Sharing Center” in your control panel.
- Click “Change Adapter Settings” and find the network connection with the name of your VPN.
- Right-click, select “Properties”, then click the “Sharing” tab and make sure that the “Allow other network users to connect through your computer’s internet connection” box is checked.
- 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.
Macs
- Open “System Preferences”, then click the “Sharing” menu.
- Next, select “Internet Sharing” from the list that appears on the left of the window.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Share your connection from”, and choose “Wi-Fi”.
- In the “To computers using” section, select “Apple USB Ethernet Adapter”, or “Ethernet”, depending on whether or not you are using an adapter.
Why Can I Only Access US/Canada Amazon Prime Now With My VPN?
Unfortunately, you can’t easily change your region to watch different content libraries with Amazon Prime Video. Unlike Netflix, which will offer you a different library of content based on the country you’re connecting from, Amazon Prime Video uses your home location in order to determine the content you can watch.
For example, if your home address for Amazon Prime is in the US, you can only watch Amazon Prime Video content that’s available in the US, even if you connect to a VPN server in a different country like Canada, the UK, or Germany. It’s simply not possible to watch content from different countries on Amazon Prime Video.
However, if you move permanently or for an extended period of time, it is possible to change the “home” location used by Amazon Prime Video.
Is Unblocking Amazon Prime with a VPN Legal?
Yes! You’re already paying for Amazon Prime, so you have the right to access your content, even if you happen to be traveling abroad, or living in another country for a few months. There is nothing illegal about using a VPN, or using it to get around firewalls or data blocking.
Amazon Prime blocks people outside of the US from connecting due to licensing restrictions. Most TV shows and movies available on American Amazon Prime are not available in other countries, so they don’t want people in foreign countries to sign up for Prime, and pretend to be in America to watch them.
But if you are an American and you want to watch Amazon Prime Video while traveling, you’re well within your rights to do so. You’re already paying for the content – so using a service like ExpressVPN to unblock it is perfectly legal.
Our takeaway: the best way to watch Amazon Prime Video abroad is ExpressVPN
For the Flixed team, ExpressVPN is the recommended VPN for watching Amazon Prime Video abroad due to its international entry points, low price, and device support.
The process involves subscribing to a VPN, downloading and installing the VPN app, connecting to the VPN, signing in to Amazon Prime Video, and starting to stream. ExpressVPN also offers VPN Chrome extensions and router-based VPNs for gaming consoles. Happy streaming!
Eric Liston • Author
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.
Kelsey Reynolds • Editor
Kelsey is a content strategist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota. Kelsey was drawn to working at Flixed because the team was so open, motivated, and curious. She most enjoys thinking about how to blend programmatic and editorial content to answer readers’ questions as completely and efficiently as possible. When she’s not at her computer, Kelsey can usually be found working in her garden or walking her two dogs in the park.