Surfshark for Netflix: Does it Work & How Good Is It in 2024?

People subscribe on Surfshark mostly to be protected while on the internet. This is because a VPN creates a tunnel for your internet network. It encrypts your IP address, preventing anyone from accessing your data. Hackers, government agencies, and even your Internet Service Provider hit a wall when they attempt breaching your space. This is a very important function of a VPN, especially regarding the nature of criminal activities that go on on the internet these days. 

However, this is not the only purpose of a VPN. An important use people adopt it for is for getting around restrictions on certain platforms. One of such platforms is Netflix. Netflix provides content based on location. Hence, what you’d be able to watch depends on where you are located. This can be less than ideal. As earlier mentioned, VPNs provide a shortcut to this challenge. 

In this review, we consider Surfshark’s prowess against Netflix’s restrictions. Can this provider break through the barricades and ensure seamless access to the content you seek? Read on to know more!

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Does Surfshark Work with Netflix?

Every VPN provider claims to override Netflix’s blocks. However, common sense dictates that this assertion will definitely not be true in all cases. Even more specifically, users have found that some providers do not keep true to their words when it comes to their unblocking ability. However, Surfshark is one of the providers that you can trust for granting you access to Netflix. 

Surfshark is a premium provider that made its entry into the space not too long ago. Despite its relative newness, it currently competes with some of the best in the industry. It has spectacular security features that keep you safe when you are online. For instance, it makes use of the military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to secure all of its networks. It also has split tunneling features, a kill switch, and malware and adware prevention features. Its privacy policy is topnotch. It maintains a strict no-logs policy that prevents data sharing even with security agencies. Perhaps, the most attractive feature of Surfshark is that it allows unlimited device connections. You can connect any number of devices to one account. As long as the devices are compatible with Surfshark and you have an existing subscription, you should encounter no challenges. 

When it comes to unblocking Netflix, Surfshark is also excellent. It states explicitly on its website that it grants access to 15 Netflix libraries.

Furthermore, it has 3200+ servers in more than 60 locations. The spread of these servers gives you ample options to choose from. Thus, if you want to watch any video that is not available in your region, you can connect to a server in that region to kick things off. This is an easy and straightforward way to get around geo-restrictions of any form. 

It is worthy of note that Surfshark is especially noted for its streaming ability. You can count in it to deliver content to you in HD without the slightest buffering. Streaming comes with speed challenges. First, you could experience interference and intentional throttling from your ISP. Also, streaming with a VPN’s protection slows down your connection. This is a generic problem you encounter with most providers. However, Surfshark keeps the interference of ISPs minimal by shielding you from them. In addition, it has stellar features that ensure that the speed lag you experience is minimal and negligible. More so, Surfshark has no cap on bandwidth and no limit on the number of devices connected to one account simultaneously. That means you can stream on Netflix without fear of being shut out for exceeding your limit. 

Why You Need a VPN for Netflix

Netflix, like most streaming platforms, over geo-based content. This means, for instance, that users in the UK find different movies in their libraries from those in, say, the United States. Thus, you may find an exciting movie or show and head over to watch it on Netflix only to find it unavailable in your region. 

The reason for this is the licensing rights that accompany these videos. For each jurisdiction that Netflix airs its programs in, it has to have the license for that location. Going against this agreement would be a direct violation of the terms parties consent to in such situations. 

Furthermore, you may experience lags and delays when you stream content on Netflix. The average movie on the platform takes up a huge bandwidth. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may throttle your speed when it discovers this. 

For both scenarios above, a VPN comes in handy. For the first instance, a VPN helps you to change your location for a while. How does this work? A VPN provider typically has servers in several countries. If some content is blocked for a particular country, you can connect to a server in a compatible country. That makes your IP address appear as though originating from that location of choice. This automatically gives you access. 

Furthermore, a VPN can help improve the speed of your connection. The tunnel it creates is impervious to penetration from even your ISP. That means then that your ISP will not be aware of the activities you carry out while online. You can stream videos on Netflix to your heart’s content without fear of lags. 

However, Netflix has cottoned on to the activities of VPN providers. Thus, it has revamped its encryption to recognize and shut out IP addresses using VPNs. If you use any of such targeted VPN providers, you will get an error message when you attempt to access content outside of your region. Nonetheless, Surfshark is a trustworthy provider for gaining access to Netflix outside of your location. 

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How to Set Up and Use Surfshark on Netflix

One of the things to love about Surfshark is how seamless its set up processes are. Its user-friendliness sets the bar in the industry. Expectedly, when it comes to integrating and setting up your VPN for use with Netflix, you’d scarcely experience any challenges. 

The first thing to note is that you need a subsisting Surfshark subscription to get started. If you do not have an account yet, you could easily set one up. Surfshark has a risk-free 30-day money-back window. Within this period, you can use the services and request your refund, no questions asked. This is a great way to try out the service if you are skeptical. 

Furthermore, you need to make sure that your device is compatible with the Surfshark app. Thankfully, Surfshark provides apps for most devices, including Apple TV. Thus, you are definitely covered. 

1. Download and install the VPN app: Navigate to your device’s app store and download the app for your device. This is preferable, although you could still download the app from third-party sites. However, if you do not download directly from Surfshark’s website or from your device’s app store, you may be unable to guarantee the app’s safety. To install, follow the prompts that appear.

2. Connect to a server in any location of choice: To access the Netflix library of any country, just connect to a server in that location. That automatically gives you access. 

4. Minimize your VPN’s tab and head over to your Netflix account. 

5. If you are using a browser, you may want to refresh it to reflect your new IP address.

6. Stream your shows unhindered! 

How to Eliminate Surfshark Setup Challenges

Ordinarily, following the steps above will grant you access to the restricted contents on Netflix. However, you could run into some challenges on the way. If Surfshark is not working properly on your device, here are a few things to do to rectify the situation:

1. Find an Alternative IP Address

The problem could be with the IP address. Netflix routinely identifies VPN-connected IP addresses and shuts them off. An easy solution is to change the IP address. VPNs provide an array of IP addresses to pick from.

2. Clear Cache

Sometimes you instinctively accept cookies as soon as they pop up. These cookies are sometimes necessary to help you have a smooth ride on the internet. Cookies can help streamline your experiences, suggesting similar songs, videos, shows, etc., that you’d watched before. However, they can also be problematic. For instance, cookies could store information about where you’d previously connected from. This would, in turn, tip-off Netflix when you attempt signing in from a different location. Hence, the best thing to do when connecting via Surfshark is to clear your browser cache.

3. Escalate to Customer Support

If whatever problems you experience persist, you may want to talk to a customer support personnel. Surfshark’s customer support system is reliable and always available to help you tackle whatever challenges you have.

Frequently Asked Questions on Whether Surfshark Works With Netflix

What devices can I use to watch Netflix with Surfshark?

Surfshark is compatible with several gadgets and operating systems. That is, the VPN has native apps for these devices. These include Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and Linux devices. Furthermore, you can even use Surfshark to stream Netflix shows on smart TVs. But suppose your streaming device isn’t compatible with Surfshark. Then, you can install Surfshark on a router and connect your gadget. Another amazing fact about Surfshark is that you can connect all your streaming devices on one subscription.

Is it legal to unblock Netflix with Surfshark?

Yes, it’s perfectly legal to unblock geo-restricted Netflix libraries with Surfshark. This is because most countries allow netizens to use VPNs within their borders freely. Many of the countries from which you can unblock Netflix with Surfshark fall under this category. Therefore, you wouldn’t have any legal problems for watching Netflix with Surfshark. Indeed, Netflix frowns on VPN usage. It even detects and blocks streamers using VPNs. However, this doesn’t make the use of VPNs illegal.

Can I get a Surfshark dedicated IP address for Netflix?

No, Surfshark doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses. However, it claims that its product team is already working on this feature. So, Surfshark dedicated IP addresses may be available soon. In the meantime, you can use its Static Servers. Just like dedicated IP addresses, with static servers, you get the same IP address each time you connect to Surfshark. However, these servers are only available in Android, Windows, and Apple gadgets. The only difference is that the IP address doesn’t belong to you. Instead, other Surfshark subscribers can use the IP address whenever you aren’t using it.

What if I only want to use Surfshark for Netflix?

Suppose you need Surfshark only to unblock Netflix libraries. Then, you can do this while your other apps access the internet directly. This is possible because of Surfshark’s split tunneling feature. This feature allows you to choose which apps and URLs to route through Surfshark’s encrypted tunnel. After that, the other apps and URLs access the internet directly with your actual IP address. Notably, this feature is called Bypasser on the Surfshark VPN app.

Conclusion

Geo-restrictions restrict your access to certain content in specific locations. Netflix employs geo-blocks as part of the licensing agreements for the content on its platform. However, with Surfshark, you can get around the challenge easily.