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How to Change Location on Hulu

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By
&
Aliza Vigderman
Gabe TurnerChief Editor
Last Updated Jan 16, 2024
By Aliza Vigderman & Gabe Turner on Jan 16, 2024

Hulu isn’t just a streaming service anymore. It also has a live TV option that lets users watch local news, sports, and weather. However, many people who travel want to watch live TV from their local affiliates, and we’re here to tell you that it is possible — if you’re willing to follow all the steps, that is.

Because Hulu is only a US-based streaming service, it does not work in other countries like Canada
Because Hulu is only a US-based streaming service, it does not work in other countries like Canada

Need to Change Hulu Location?

Hulu is inaccessible outside the U.S.,1 and even if you move within the U.S., Hulu will detect it and change the channels you have access to. You might be experiencing this now. So the best solution is to use a VPN, which masks your IP address to make it appear like you’re browsing from a different location. Just connect to a server in your home city and you’re good to go. Check out these tried and true VPNs for changing your Hulu location:

Editor's Rating:
9.7 /10
Editor's Rating:
9.5 /10
Editor's Rating:
9.4 /10

How To Change Your Home Network

Using a VPN isn’t the only way to change location on Hulu, though. There’s another option: Changing your home network. We’ll show you how to do that and we’ll discuss the VPN method just so you have options.

Changing Your Home Network

  1. Log in through a living room device (if you’re away, you may need someone at home to do this for you).
  2. Visit your account page on a computer or mobile browser.
  3. Go to the Privacy And Settings section.
  4. Click “Set or Change Home” and enter your new location.2
Setting a New Home Location on Hulu
Setting a New Home Location on Hulu

FYI: Hulu will only let you change your home network four times in a year.

Using a VPN

With a VPN, you can change your Hulu location even without access to your home network. However, there’s a catch: Not all VPNs can change your Hulu location.

Most VPNs can change your IP address, but Hulu also uses GPS tracking to determine your location. That’s why we recommend using only the best VPNs, as these VPNs are much better at hiding your real location. You can find our recommendations of the best VPNs for Hulu here.

ExpressVPN to Watch Hulu
We used ExpressVPN to change our location to Los Angeles to watch Hulu

One option that stands out is Surfshark because in addition to changing your IP address, it can also spoof your GPS location.

You can learn more in our Surfshark review or our page on Surfshark’s pricing, but here’s the lowdown on the GPS-spoofing feature. You should know that it only works on Androids, so if you need an iPhone VPN to watch Hulu from another location, you’re out of luck. But for Android users, here’s how to set up this VPN on your Android:

  1. Buy a subscription from the Surfshark website.
  2. Download the Surfshark app onto your Android.
  3. Open the app.
  4. Go to Settings.
  5. Scroll down to Advanced Settings.
  6. Enable “Override GPS Location.”
  7. When the pop-up asks if you want to modify your device’s settings, click “Let’s Go.”
  8. Click “Open Settings” on your Android (not within the Surfshark app).
  9. Click “About Phone.”
  10. Click “Build Number” seven times. You should get a message saying that you’re in Developer Mode.
  11. Return to the Surfshark app.
  12. Tap the arrow to go to the next step.
  13. Go back to your Android Settings.
  14. Click “Open Settings.”
  15. Click “Select Mock Location App.”
  16. Select Surfshark.
  17. Go back to the Surfshark app, and the setup should be complete.
  18. Click “Close.”

To make sure this mock location is working:

  1. Connect to the server of your preference.
  2. Open the Maps app.
  3. Check your current location.3 If it matches, then the feature works and you should be able to watch Hulu in the area you selected.
Watching Hulu while VPN is connected to USA server
When the VPN is connected to a US server, Hulu works and we were able to watch content like “The Bear”

How To Enable Location Services on Hulu

If you’re setting up Hulu for the first time on your phone or computer, you’ll need to enable location services. Here’s how, step by step.

Chrome

  1. Click “Settings…”
  2. On the left hand side of the page, click “Privacy and Security.”
  3. Scroll down and click on “Site Settings.”
  4. Under the Permissions section, click on “Location.”
  5. Turn on “Sites can ask for your location.”
Chrome's location settings
Chrome’s location settings

Edge (PCs)

  1. Click the Windows icon.
  2. Click “Settings.”
  3. Click “Privacy & security.”
  4. Click “Location.”
  5. Toggle “Let apps access your location” on.
Windows location settings
Windows location settings

Firefox

  1. Click “Menu.”
  2. Click “Preferences.”
  3. Click “Privacy & Security.”
  4. Scroll to Permissions.
  5. Click “Settings,” next to “Location.”
  6. Add Hulu to the list of apps permitted to see your location.
Allowing Hulu to view location in Firefox
Allowing Hulu to view location in Firefox

Safari (Macs)

  1. Open the System Settings.
  2. Click “Privacy & Security.”
  3. Click on the Location Services.
  4. Click “Location Services.”
  5. Next to Safari, click the box to check off “Enable Location Services.”
Mac's Location Services
Mac’s Location Services

Android

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click “Security & Location.”
  3. Select “Location.”
  4. Turn on “Location.”
  5. Scroll to “Recent Location Requests.”
  6. Enable Hulu.

Amazon Fire Tablet

  1. Go to your tablet’s Quick Settings by swiping down.
  2. Click “More.”
  3. Click “Location-Based Services.”
  4. Select “On.”

iOS (iPhone and iPad)

  1. Open the Settings menu.
  2. Click “Privacy & Security.”
  3. Click “Location Services.”
  4. Turn on “Location Services.”
  5. Find Hulu in the list of apps.
  6. Under “Allow Location Access”, choose “While Using the App”.
Location Access Settings for Hulu
Location Access Settings for Hulu

Hulu Home Networks

Let’s go back to Hulu’s home networks, a key feature of changing your location. The streaming giant only wants users to change their home networks if they move or get a new internet service provider or network.

Hulu lets you change your home network up to four times over the course of a year. To change it, you’ll need to be on your home’s Wi-Fi network, so if you’re traveling, you may need some help from your family or roommates. And no, shared Wi-Fi networks or mobile hotspots don’t work.

What does the location determine? Exactly what channels you can stream live, assuming you’re signed up for Hulu Live TV along with Hulu or Hulu No Ads.

When you set up Hulu Live TV, you’ll input your home network within the first three days. Like we said before, you can change your home network if you need, but it’s limited to four times a year. If you try to change your home network more than that, you may receive location error messages.

Now let’s talk more about the internet connection you’ll need for Hulu Live TV. Unfortunately, it has to be both residential and nonmobile, which doesn’t include office buildings, dorms, or other shared or business spaces. If you don’t have a residential network that works, you probably won’t be able to sign up for Live TV, just Hulu or Hulu No Ads.

Can I Watch Hulu Outside of My Home Network?

You can watch Hulu outside of your home network on a mobile device. However, you may not be able to see all of your local channels without changing your location, and if you don’t check in at home on your mobile device at least once a month, Hulu Live TV may not be accessible.

NOTE: Your home network is meant to designate a single home, so those with vacation homes may need to buy two separate Hulu Live TV subscriptions.

While traveling internationally, you probably won’t be able to access Hulu Live TV. However, it should work on any mobile device within the United States, so long as you remember to check in at home before you leave for the trip.

Using NordVPN to change our location to the United States to watch Hulu
Using NordVPN to change our location to the United States to watch Hulu

Recap

Unfortunately, changing your Hulu location isn’t the easiest process in the world, but we hope we made it a little less confusing. If you want to change locations on another popular streaming service, check out our page on how to change your Netflix region.

FAQs

You’ll have your local Hulu Live TV open and running in no time.

  • How do I fix my Hulu location?

    To fix your Hulu location, you can change your home network up to four times a year. Here’s how:

    1. Log in to Hulu on your living room device.
    2. Visit your account page on a desktop, laptop, or mobile browser.
    3. Click on the Privacy and Settings section.
    4. Click “Set or Change Home.”
    5. Enter in your new home network.
  • Why won’t Hulu let me change my home location?

    Hulu may not let you change your home location if you’ve already changed it four times in a year, which is the limit.

  • How do I change my ZIP code on Hulu?

    To change your ZIP code on Hulu, you have to change your home network on your living room device. Go into your account’s Privacy and Settings section, and change your home network to a new ZIP code.

  • What happens if you change your Hulu home location?

    If you change your Hulu location, you’ll start receiving Live TV streaming from the home network you selected, including local affiliates and channels.

Citations
  1. Hulu. (2021). Why can't I use Hulu internationally?
    help.hulu.com/s/article/cant-use-internationally

  2. Hulu. (2021). Manage your Home network for Live TV.
    help.hulu.com/s/article/manage-home-network

  3. Surfshark Help Center. (2021). How to enable the GPS override function?
    support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011517640-How-to-enable-the-GPS-override-function-